<p>I'm 20 years old and I'm interested in the GS program at Columbia. I don't have much of an academic record since i dropped out of high school in '04 to go traveling for 2 years. I'll be starting my first semester of community college in the winter and I have a few questions for all you GS students/alumni/future students. Having had very little applicable work experience, what should I be trying to accomplish during my time at com. college (besides a's)? Also, how long do you think it would take for someone such as myself to enter the gs program having started from scratch?</p>
<p>bump, please?</p>
<p>They are doing information sessions right now. Try going to one of them. I went just a couple weeks ago and it was very helpful.</p>
<p>I wish I could, unfortunately I live in California. May I ask what information you found to be particularly helpful?</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>My situation is slightly different from yours (I was home schooled), but I did start from scratch, too. Basically what I did was take the most difficult classes available (honors classes, world rather than American history classes, etc- they were also a good mix of courses to show that I can handle work in different areas) and became heavily involved in one particular extra curricular activity. I entered GS (and graduated from my CC) after three full semesters. It was a lot of work, and I carried a pretty large credit load each semester, but it was worth it in the end. </p>
<p>Aside from As and good recommendations, my biggest piece of advice to you would be to work on your essay until its flawless. The quality of your essay is a HUGE factor in your admission or rejection. </p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>Seeing as GS made a joke of the admissions process this past fall and decided to admit virtually everyone that applied (I want to say something like 500 at a school that previously didn't enroll above 1200 total students), I don't think you have much to worry about. We're in the midst of a capital campaign and, seeing as so many drop out, GS is a great way to help raise the university coffers. It's too bad though. Core classes are larger (up three slots from last year), GS-exclusive sections are harder to get into (specifically the over-enrolled LitHum section), and Lewisohn is the new Grand Central.</p>
<p>I live in California too. I went to their info session in Santa Monica.</p>