I just took it. It was an argumentative essay as others said. Preparing yourself with how to structure your essay and paragraph might help, rather than reading bunch of articles. You will be scored in terms of vocab, grammar, arguments, and structures. At leadt 5 business days to get a score, I was told
Can we talk about financial aid and housing? What are your financial packages like and what will be your living situation?
I know GS is very unforgiving when it comes to financial aid. I’m worried I will have to take out so many loans and be $100k or more in debt. I also live quite far away and I’m already dreading thinking about commuting every single day. Nonetheless, I’ll do whatever it takes for me to go there. I can’t waste such an opportunity.
Hi guys, I submitted plan enrollment form. I am also thinking about deferring for spring semester for financial reasons. However, It all depends how much scholarship will they give me.
yes, i did
I know I’m pushing my luck, but if anyone from BMCC who was accepted for this Fall is still in this thread, I’m looking for you! I haven’t received a transfer credit evaluation yet and I’m wondering what some of yours might have looked like. I just registered (pretty blindly) for 4 courses at Columbia that all satisfy core requirements, and until I get a GS advisor I have no way of confirming that I did the right thing. So if this applies to any of you please reach out!!
Does anybody know what course I should take if I get 9 on ALP exam test? I found one course called “University Writing for International Students.” Should I take this one and then take contemporary essay class next semester?
@SMSNYAL University Writing is mandatory for The Core, so unless things are different for nternational students, I’m guessing you have to take it too.
@Ruberi Thanks for the reply. I wanted to know if the University writing for international student counts as the core requirement. I know it is unlikely and chances are very low.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t but I would talk to an advisor to be completely sure.
@mamabear336 Were you early or regular decision? I’m not allowed to register until I’ve attended the Academic Planning Session. And how do I get a credit transfer evaluation?
Does anybody know what course I should take if I get 7 on ALP exam test? I would be able to register for classes. Is there a way to waive the ALP test? I have one more year to finish in a public institution. I hope there is way to register for classes and don’t stay more time that I should at GS.
@aogiri They should be sending out the rest of the transfer credit reports next week.
Have you sent your final transcripts to admissions? Once they receive all of your grades they will send you a credit evaluation. I received mine this past Friday. Has anyone received a financial package yet? That is the last piece of the puzzle for me at the moment.
@Kmag22 I sent them my transcript 2 weeks ago, but it still hasn’t been reflected in my portal that they received it. I got my financial aid Friday night, and I’m registered and all ready to go, just no credit evaluation, and no GS advisor assignment. ?♀️ Not sure what to do from here lol.
I had sent mine about 2 weeks ago also. Hopefully you will receive yours on Monday !! You can always call up admissions & ask for the status on when you will receive it. They will send you and email once it is finished. I am very anxious about my financial package because that is my deciding factor on if I will attend or not. I was happy that 58 of my credits did transfer … If you don’t mind me asking did you receive and award for merit?
@Kmag22 yes, I was extremely fortunate in the GS scholarship I received for academic achievement. My fingers will be crossed for you! Just remember, the scholarship is meant to increase every year you are there, especially if you continue to do well at Columbia ?
That is awesome news !! Congrats & thank you 
I will keep you posted on my update. I hope you recieve your credit evaluation asap.
Hey guys, I only submitted planned enrollment form. However I haven’t received anything. Some you of guys got transfer credit evaluation. Did you guys get it before you accepted/deferred the offer or did you receive before? I thought we receive transfer credit evaluation after we accepted offer. I haven’t accepted the offer cuz I might defer for spring, it all depends for Scholarship package amount. Also I haven’t send official high school diploma, do I have to send it before they do credit evaluation? Also guys I heard little tip from one current GS student. He said that if I don’t get good scholarship package I would rather defer for spring, cuz he said the scholarship amount increases every summer, not every semester. He got initially 5500$ scholarship for semester then 8000$, then 10000$.
@dreambigg I was accepted July 15th, sent remaining transcript in immediately, and still haven’t received a credit evaluation. In regards to scholarship, I don’t think you will receive one until you accept enrollment. BUT, if I’m wrong, I’m not sure what to make of the advice you were given either-if it only increases over the summer, your package offer should make no difference between Fall and Spring semesters. I myself don’t think there is as my package is for the entire academic year, meaning I don’t anticipate an increase in GS scholarship for next semester as I’ve already been told what I will be receiving. ?♀️. Financial aid is offered per academic year. So the next package will be for next fall, academic year 2020-2021. I would call them for specific information of your specific situation.
Thanks. @mamaebar336. I called them yesterday. I don’t have to send anything yet or neither accept/defer the offer until I get financial aid. They said the transfer credit is on process and financial aid will be send by the end of this week or beginning of next week. For Scholarship tip for deferring to spring is there isn’t much win, but maybe I could save 2-3k which could matter when money seriously problem. If you don’t mind how much scholarship did you get ?