Columbia University: School of General Studies / Columbia GS

College Search & Selection
1

<p>It seems that there has been some amount of discussion and debate concerning the college within Columbia University, "School of General Studies" on the forums already. In my research concerning GS, I have found the following information and facts:</p>

<pre><code> 1. ADMISSIONS
</code></pre>

<ul>
<li><p>ANYONE that has taken a year or more off from school since high school (this includes brilliant, highly successful high school students who decide to "au pair" in Paris for a year or any some such thing) and/or any anyone who needs to attend part-time (though many can--and do--attend full-time) MUST apply through Columbia GS--while meeting Columbia University admissions standards of excellence and potential. </p>

<pre><code> 2. ACADEMICS
</code></pre></li>
<li><p>Students enroll in the EXACT SAME COURSES as CC, BC, and SEAS students, with the those students, and, obviously, professors, and receive the same grading and testing. (Thus, it is absolutely, indubitably NOT a separate academic course school with different professors.) As such, GS students are not differentiated from other Columbia University students in way whatsoever (expect perhaps socially if one is noticably older than the--18-23 year old--CC admitted Columbia University student). Also, as such, students admitted through GS, as regular members of Columbia University and students of Columbia University courses, use the same resources as students admitted through CC, BC, or SEAS, and have the same research opportunities. </p>

<pre><code> 3. STUDENT LIFE
</code></pre></li>
<li><p>In accordance with the section above, students admitted to Columbia University through GS are part of all Columbia University student activites, clubs, events, and so forth. </p>

<pre><code> 4. ALUMNI
</code></pre></li>
<li><p>Columbia University students there were admitted to the university through GS include, in short: Amelia Earhart, Federico Garc</p></li>
</ul>

2

<p>The degree still says columbia university and you will still be a graduate of the school. IF you go to GS, you would most likely be in school with older students (which may not necessarily be a bad thing).</p>

3

<p>".... how could one possibly differentiate Columbia University students and alumni admitted through GS as inferior students, academics, and members of the Columbia University campus? </p>

<p>IF it were the case that there were published statistics on admissions selectivity, and these statistics indicated that the students admitted through GS were apparently of a different academic caliber, on average, than those admitted to the College as freshmen, then one can possibly differentiate, it seems to me. Same goes for Columbia College vs. Barnard.</p>

<p>Haven't looked at any statistics myself. But if they are out there, expect that people will read them & develop expectations accordingly.</p>

4

<p>Having attended Columbia and as a current student there I can honestly say GS students are not as nearly as strong as the other Columbia students. And they do not get the same recruiting opportunities, networking opportunities, they cannot live in University housing, etc.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the input.</p>

6

<p>actually it is incorrect</p>

<p>GS students have access to recruiting, networking opportunities, and they can live in University Housing..</p>

<p>they do not live with the other undergraduate students due to the fact that generally they are older than regular students.. instead, they are room with graduate students..</p>

<p>in a way they treat GS students more like graduate students than undergrad..</p>

<p>thats why frequently SEAS and CC students do not see GS students participate with them</p>

7

<p>Since GS students take the same classes with CC students, it is the performance in those classes that counts -- not whether you were admitted through GS or not. If GS students are weaker, as Slipper suggests, they will do more poorly. In fact, I've heard Columbia faculty comment that they cannot tell who is a GS student or not by the quality of the work.</p>

<p>Employers and grad schools care about what someone has done while at college. Courses taken, grades (especially in a major), jobs and internships, recs from professors. All those are equally accessible to a GS student. The differences are: They do not get the same access to housing, they are able to take classes part time, they get different (arguably more individual and better) advising, they are not required to complete the core. Other CC students might regard them differently, but a stellar record from Columbia is a stellar record from Columbia, however you got there.</p>

8

<p>slip</p>

<p>i know a math professor at columbia..
and he had encountered many CC students make very simple elementary math mistakes over and over...</p>

<p>i wouldn't say CC students are not as strong base off a few exceptions</p>

9

<p>Okay - GS students live in graduate housing. The point is they aren't a part of the general life of the COLLEGE, but are a part of the university. They do not have the same recruiting, they do have GS on the diploma, and are separate socially.</p>

10

<p>takes you over half a year to reply this thread</p>

11

<p>Check out the fact that someone replied earlier today. I don't "search' for threads on GS. Nice try though smart guy.</p>