Columbia School of GS Essay?

College Essays
1

<p>Okay,</p>

<p>I am writing my essay and am findind myself get off track a bit.The hardest part for me is that I am 29 and gradtuated High School in 97. I did not do very well in High School and never really took it serious. But since then I have started two small businesses , become a popular blogger and have been
involved in over 12 political campaigns.I am a real adult traditional student but need some help in filling out the educational part. I have a very bad memory and went to over 6 different schools. I need some help as to where to start.</p>

<p>This is the Autobiographical Essay requirements</p>

<p>.Autobiographical Essay (1500-2000 words): Tell us about your educational history, work experience, present situation, and plans for the future. Please make sure to address why you consider yourself a nontraditional student, and have chosen to pursue your education at the School of General Studies of Columbia University. </p>

<p>Successful essays should not only identify and describe specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, that meet your needs as a nontraditional student, but should also explain why GS is the place for you. Your essay will be read for content and grammar.</p>

<p>It is recommended that you write your essay in a word processing program before entering it in this application. Once your statement is completed, please cut and paste the text into the essay window below. Please note this is a text field, not a web editor. Therefore, your essay will not format exactly as you enter it here. As a result, once it is submitted, an admissions staff member will reformat your essay for review by the Admissions Committee.</p>

2

<p>I would not sweat the essay so much, not the high school portion, anyway. Many successful GS students didn't do well in high school -- abuse survivors, tracked into non-college prep early on, learning disabilities, drug/alcohol problems, pretty girls who got by on their looks (which, sadly, is extremely effective at Columbia). One person I know is near a 4.0 and she never had a college level class before Columbia.</p>

<p>Focus on:
1. Your political work.
2. Your businesses
3. Why are you ready to make this commitment now?
4. Why are you applying (curriculum, some major event that makes you want to go back to school, a professor you want to study with, a particularly great department at CU, desire to be a leader, credential for jobs/grad school)</p>

<p>GS is not for everyone and I'd advise visiting campus, trying to meet some students and getting a realistic idea of the time commitment, inflexibility of the traditional student-focused campus and how much of your life you want to revolve around GS. </p>

<p>But the essay? Someone with your experience would be a great addition to GS and I'm sure you can find a way to say how and why and what you hope to gain, with your high school experiences being a small (but be sure to explain) part of it.</p>