<p>Anyone apply/interested in Columbia GS?</p>
<p>If so, how competitive is it to receive admission to that school? I've spoken to an admissions rep. and they told me that almost everyone gets in, however in the packet they advertise, it says the contrary (extremely competitive). </p>
<p>What should I believe? Any comments, anyone?</p>
<p>Almost everyone gets in? I don't know much about Columbia admissions but I am almost positive that "almost everyone" does not get into their GS program.</p>
<p>As of year ago the admissions rate was just over 50%. Should be fairly easy. I suppose to elitiest admissions reps that would equate to "almost everybody gets in." :)</p>
<p>It's a great program...same undergraduate degree as Columbia college students...same majors....same classes...same great opportunities. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. Foxdie! I was just curious, but where did you get that figure?</p>
<p>Whoa! It's like a back door into Columbia, sort of like the equivalent of GSP for NYU.</p>
<p>Unless I'm mistaken the financial aid for there is almost nonexistent so for those of us who don't want to rack up close to 100k in debt or don't have rich parents it kind of sucks.</p>
<p>According to collegeboard.com, the acceptance rate is 47% - <a href="http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=1349&profileId=1%5B/url%5D">http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=1349&profileId=1</a></p>
<p>You will need:</p>
<p>-To be out of school for at least 2 years (often more)
-Decent grades for (usually) two semesters at a CC or College
-Done something meaningful while you were out of school (started a business, military, etc)
-Funds to pay tuition (very little financial aid)</p>
<p>Actually I remember looking it up and I thought it was two years out of school is considered non-traditional student? You may have a better chance with two years but I'm pretty sure one is sufficient.</p>
<p>I agree. I remember asking the rep. about that as well. She, as it turned out, confirmed that one year would be plenty to be considered a non-traditional transfer student. (Also, this is the same rep. that told me that, she personal, has never seen anyone not get into this part of Columbia's program.)</p>
<p>foxdie,
Could you be more specific with what you mean by decent grades? (3.5+ or 3.0?)</p>
<p>can anyone confirm that financial aid is basically non-existent I know I have heard this but the GS school is something I would qualify for and be very interested in if it were not for the money.</p>
<p>The median age of a Columbia GS student is 29. So I'm guessing the program is for people with more life experience then just 1 year. (The common exception is people who choose GS because they need to study part time)</p>
<p>I talked to my friend at Columbia (CC) and she said that there are a few things you should consider:</p>
<p>-the diploma/transcript is almost identical but yours will say "General Studies"
-you will probably not get university housing (GS students are served last)
-you will probably have to pay full tuition unless you are very very good and get merit aid
-most people in GS have already started their careers, etc and you will be at a disadvantage for some of the more competitive on-campus-recruiting events
-You need a hard shell to put up with bashing from elitiest Columbia College students, lol!</p>
<p>That's all you probably need to know.</p>
<p>I thought that being out of school was not a set in stone requirment if you explain why you consider yourself a nontradionalt student and why you want to attend that school specifically?</p>
<p>No, they define nontraditional as having been out of school or needing to study part-time.</p>
<p>ok i guess i mentally would only apply to study part time anyways so i didnt think to mention that, i meant in terms of the being out of school thing.</p>
<p>I emailed them apparently needing to study part time is not enough alone if your a transfer.</p>
<p>If your transfering you have to be out of school for a year.</p>