Hi, I am a high school student who did a gap year, in which I recovered from mental health problem and did some journalistic and other academic studies. I want to apply to Columbia GS, UPenn LPS and NYU Liberal Studies Program (if that is also for the non-traditional student). I haven’t done any credits until this summer, but adding up all my other credits from post-secondary institutions, I will have 22 credits completed by the time of early admission. I will be attending other classes in the continuing education department of different universities in the meantime. Should I apply for early admission? If I don’t and apply the regular one in October, I will have more grades coming out.
For my high school GPA, I have a 90 by my junior year, and due to family problems in the senior year and AP classes, I have an 88.5 in the senior year unweighted. My SAT is 2130 from two tests. I will take an SAT subject test since I am not satisfied with the previous ones; however, the report only comes out around October.
I am still working on my essay, explaining what I did in my gap year and myself in general.
So far, my GPA at college-level institutions is around 3.8 (and I have taken credits from three institutions) I will also have the recommendation letter from College teachers and the place where I interned for journalism.
Judging from my statistics, what is my chance for Columbia GS and UPenn LPS?
Thank you!
I’m currently a GS student. I’m don’t think you don’t qualify for Columbia GS, it’s for individuals who took a break in their academic experience after high school. I would call the admissions team to discuss transferring to Columbia College. You would be happier there and they offer better financial aid.
I don’t think you qualify for Columbia GS*
Hi, I did take a one year break from college. Do you think that only counts as a gap year?
One year break qualifies for GS. It’s almost impossible to transfer into Columbia College, though. The FA is not as good at GS, this is true. And housing is not at all guaranteed.
You may want to look at NYU Gallitan – https://gallatin.nyu.edu/
NYU gives pretty lousy FA too.
You may want to look at –
Sarah Lawrence
Bard
Smith
Mt. Holyoke
Hampshire
Hamilton
Bryn Mawr – consortium school with UPenn
Haverford – consortium school with UPenn
Barnard – transfer students don’t always get great FA here, but you can try.
Connecticut College
Wheaton in Mass
Simmons in Boston
Tufts
and several others – just missing a year of school for a gap year is not that unusual. I wouldn’t tell them that you did this for mental health reasons. Just stick to :wanted to try out work before college.