Columbia GS: What kind of non-traditional students are accepted?

<p>Hello Everyone!!</p>

<p>I have visited Columbia's Website because I have a friend who is a model and her modelling agency is pressuring her to interrupt her studies so she can only focus on modelling. But my friend is a really serious student and does not wish to make a break in her education. </p>

<p>The problem is that when I look at the current students in Columbia GS and the Alumnis I don't find any model. </p>

<p>What are the jobs of the part-time students who attend Columbia? Is my friend eligible to apply? Being a model can discredit her?</p>

<p>There are plenty of models at Columbia. </p>

<p>As far as what sorts of jobs people hold, imagine anything one might do for a living in the New York City metro area.</p>

<p>GS typically caters to those who have had a year or more break in their secondary or post-secondary education, or those who want and have the aptitude for an Ivy League education and want/need to attend part time. </p>

<p>I don’t see how being a model could discredit her, unless shes done something distasteful that’s easy to find. I’m a a part-time actor/plus-size model/box office sales rep and GS prospect, and I know to keep my nose clean when it comes to jobs (read: no nudity, no matter how much it’s offered or for how much). Hopefully, your friend has stuck with regular fashion, art, runway ect. and not more questionable stuff like chintzy bikini/lingerie shoots, ect.</p>

<p>I have a friend who is going to start Columbia GS this fall and these were her stats and life story:</p>

<p>Applying from: American River College in Sacramento,California
Accepted: Columbia GS, UC Davis, UCSC, UCI
Rejected: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD
Major: Anthropology B.A
GPA: 3.14
Major Prerequisites: Done
Major GPA: 3.41
SAT: 1500/2400
IGETC/General Education requirements for GS: Done
ECs/Work Experience: Volunteer at the share institute, works at the transfer center (32 hours a week) and at a kids science camp (16 hours per week)</p>

<p>Life story: She first enrolled at the community college right after high school in 2000 but she dropped out after one year because she only had a 2.0 gpa and she got discouraged from going to school as she was not involved on campus and no one guided her. She then worked full time for five years as a waiter at a casino and a few odd jobs here and there.
In 2006, she decided to go back to school and in her fist semester back, she did ok with a 3.0 GPA but while going to school and working at the same time, the apartment she was living at evicted her because she was not able to pay the monthly rent as she was putting most of her limited budget into school, and food. Even financial aid was not enough to put her through. She then had to live in a homeless shelter close to campus for six months and at the same time, she still went to school and worked full time in the transfer center trying to put her life back together. It was during her stay in the homeless shelter that she got interested in anthropology as she was exposed to different people and cultures. She still managed to get a 3.0 average during her stay in the shelter. Her family tried to help her during the ordeal she had to go through but it still was not enough as they were going through with financial problems of their own. She eventually found another apartment to live at.
Her work and volunteer experiences reinforces her openness to other cultures and her ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D in cultural anthropology and do research on California Native Americans. </p>

<p>Hooks and other information: She is the first in her whole family to attend college
In her last 70 semester units, she was able to get a 4.0 average.
30 years old
Applied Early Decision</p>

<p>This shows the level of holism that Columbia has as compared to UCLA and Berkeley when reviewing applicants. She did not have the highest GPA or the best SAT scores, but her personal statement put her over the top.</p>

<p>Regardless of everything else this: “In her last 70 semester units, she was able to get a 4.0 average.” </p>

<p>Was, in my opinion, one of the strongest factors in her acceptance. Recent and sustained academic success is a huge factor in gaining admission.</p>

<p>That’s good to know Tsar. My story is similar, especially with SAT scores and a dismal HS GPA. I went to work straight out but eventually worked (read: fought) my way from a 1.9 cum to a current 3.692 with a 4.0 avg for the last 2 semesters and this summer.
Two girls with similar records, from our small honors program, were accepted to GS this past spring, so I’m very hopeful.</p>

<p>What’s questionable modeling work? In the past five years we’ve had two pornographic actors at GS - one female and one male. One was a legit genius.</p>

<p>Both made it explicit in their apps and were accepted.</p>

<p>Really HJ? Haha! That’s interesting; it really speaks to GS’ holism. And my momma always told me to keep my nose clean…lol. <em>sarc</em></p>

<p>@Hellojan, were they rich by chance? Just curious.</p>

<p>One of them might’ve been. Not sure.</p>

<p>That’s really interesting. I wasn’t in the same scenario but had similar difficult trials and determination to just keep going as well as work hard and dream. What does GS Columbia look for in applicants?</p>

<p>I don’t get it? How do they pick students from dismal backgrounds that obtain 3.9 GPAs?</p>