<p>Exactly Philly. Since GS only accepts 60 transfer units maximum, I would love to know if I really need to take a class as tense as calculus 3 in the summer. And IF I get admitted notice after the drop-deadline, I still have to finish this class which sucks since it’s everyday five hours and an exam almost every week 
But I will arrange everything as I get rejected… And this forum made me feel I’m involved and there are people with me which is great! I called the admissions office and asking if they have got all my documents, she was like, “everything is fine, everything is fine…” the waiting is just killing me!</p>
<p>@friddeshh I’m sorry to hear that. It sucks. But I would say when you try for U of M next spring, try GS again because that’s what I am going to do and don’t give up. Sometimes people is simply out of luck. We need to keep trying till we get what we want! You have all the apply materials, all you need is 80 bucks application fee and stick with this forum! We are here for you Friddeshh.</p>
<p>@ Friddesh I would definitely contact the admissions counselor at GS and talk about what you can do better next time if you re-apply. Because it kinda doesnt make sense that you would not get accepted, especially with your gpa. </p>
<p>I am just speculating but the only possible thing I could think about is that your course schedule for each semester wasn’t rigorous enough, your poor academic performance from years ago still far outweighs your current GPA performance, or your essay may have been lacking a “human” element, thats why they needed to interview you. But who knows. Talk to them about it, it doesnt hurt to.</p>
<p>Yeah ton, it’s definitely possible I’ll apply again for the spring semester. And you’re right, I’ll pretty much have everything already ready to go sans the app fee. Thank you for the support man, I really appreciate it.<br>
Random, I gotta be honest with you… I think I know what it was. Some years back, during my ‘cowboy’ days, I had a run-in with the law that had me do 5 months in Riker’s Island. Crazy, I know, but luckily for my sake, I did everything I was supposed to do in terms of my probation afterwards, and didn’t end up with a felony on my record. In the midst of the whole ordeal, I stopped and took a look at how I was living, and decided that I couldn’t go on like that. So I truly and completely started doing the right things, academic and otherwise, and never looked back.
Now, this might sound stupid to some, but I touched on the situation in my essay. Why? Because it was a building block for who I am today… An essential piece in making me the highly motivated, ‘shoot for the moon’ kind of person I’ve become. I know I could’ve omitted it all out and slyly worked around it, but after living with something to hide for so long, I just don’t like to be like that anymore. I’m not ashamed of where I come from. And in fact, I’m proud. I’m proud that I came this far. 'Cause at 1 time, I had it all - loving support, smarts, talent, ambition - without the scars. I even skipped 4th grade, for God’s sake. But somewhere along the line, my immaturity got the best of me and I threw it all away. Miraculously, though, I was able to gain it all back. Through years of hard work. And so when I went for my interview, the lady asked me about it all, and I was very honest about it. I’m sure, though, it was something that didn’t appeal to her.
I just wish she knew and trusted the real me. Who I am; and who I was as a kid. Because If she did, I really feel like I’d be in. I thought my GPA, community service, and overall contrition for said situation in the interview would be enough to attest to my qualifications, but apparently not. And that’s the baggage I have to carry, at least for now still.
I know some people might say, ‘Hey buddy, you get arrested, and you think you’re getting into GS? Are you kidding me?’ And to those people, primarily I’ll say it was worth a shot. Why not? I’ve been doing everything I should have been doing academically the last few years… My favorite motto is ‘shoot for the moon… If you miss, you’re still amongst those stars.’ So I gave it a chance. But secondly, I’ll also say ‘I hear you.’ I hear where you’re coming from, and I understand your position. I say that because I feel like the amount of people that have made mistakes like me, only to truly redeem themselves morally and otherwise, and go to live productive lives, is slim to none. So as soon as some people hear the word ‘arrested,’ they almost automatically assume a person will always be that certain way, and attach that stigma to him as well. It’s okay, though. That’s part of that baggage I was talking about. And it’s what makes me strive harder and harder each and every day. With this rejection, I kind of feel like Tom Brady getting drafted in the 6th round. Somebody who knows they have talent and can confidently perform at a very high level that gets overlooked. I just hope that you Random, and everyone else in this forum that is waiting for an answer, get in. It’s a great school, and obviously everyone that gets to go there is very fortunate and talented. But if you don’t, I’m sure you know that you still have a very real and good chance to succeed. As long as you work hard, develop strong bonds, and continue on the path that you’re on - because if you’re applying to GS with any realistic shot of getting in, you’re already on the right one… you shouldn’t have a problem. And like I wrote in my last post, I just truly wish everyone the best, and hope that you all get to end up where you wanna be.</p>
<p>All A’s so far in all of my courses EXCEPT my Calc III class, which is a B+. Am I doomed?</p>
<p>Friddesh, I’m glad to hear that you did everything you were supposed to do after Rikers. If there’s anything I believe in, it’s the opportunity for redemption. Don’t give up.</p>
<p>Hello, everyone.</p>
<p>I took the time to read all your posts, and must I say very interesting.
I myself have applied to GS for fall term. I am very nervous, because of the essay that I wrote when I sat for GSAE. I remember that I misspelled core, I put an ‘h’ ended up spelling chore. I am so mad at myself. Damn it! Anyway, I check the board and saw that they have indeed graded the test because it says official final. I have yet to submit my Autobiographical Essay. I am making sure that’s good. How’s everyone doing?</p>
<p>Walked into Lewisohn Hall personally today during the rain to drop off my final transcript! They told me it would be about 4 weeks! However, they opened it and updated my status while we were chatting. Hoping for the best, though.</p>
<p>Fingers crossed for you Random</p>
<p>Thanks Patrick. Thank god I was able to get a job today. Now I can keep myself busy while I wait.</p>
<p>question to all applicants, did you write the second essay and what did you write about?</p>
<p>I did not write the optional essay believing that I wrote everything I need to say in the autobio. I was accepted for Fall, so I believe you do not need to submit it unless you really have something to add.</p>
<p>I wrote a ~200 word second essay. It included some personal stuff about my girlfriend, hobbies, and family connection to Columbia that I thought they might be interested in but didn’t smoothly fit into the narrative of my primary essay (which was ~3k words).</p>
<p>My feeling is that it’s definitely not required, so only use it if you feel you need it.</p>
<p>(EDIT: I should say I was just accepted a few weeks ago)</p>
<p>Hello~</p>
<p>I am finishing my second year at my local community college, and I submitted my regular application on April 30, 2011. I’m just really nervous about my decision because i have a 4.0 college gpa, BUT I really screwed up during high school and I have a really low high school gpa. I hope the admission officers at gs can see my improvements since my 2004 high school graduation. </p>
<p>Would my low high school gpa severely lower my chances for gs? =(</p>
<p>I would appreciate any feedback for those attend/accepted/waiting. </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Don’t be overly concerned about your high-school record. The more important question is what has changed between now and then, and whether it is evident from the contrast between your two GPAs that much has changed in your attitude, goals, habits, etc. They want to see that you have what it takes to persevere in a Columbia academic environment, not to condemn you for distant past.</p>
<p>The above sentiment is true. I know people here who dropped out of high school and got their GEDs.</p>
<p>You certainly have a chance. I was admitted early decision this spring and I have a GED and a ~1.8 HS GPA (nearly graduated). As long as you proved that you’ve changed, I think you have a chance.</p>
<p>I will see you guys & girls in fall.</p>
<p>P.S.: Yes :)</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>Did anyone send in their spring grades and get a decision back for those who were asked for them before a decision could be made??</p>
<p>Nope, I didnt get my decision yet. I spoke to the person at the front desk and she told me four weeks. I emailed an admissions officer and I just received an email today that Early Admission applicants that were asked for spring grades maintain priority over regular decision applicants… I have a gut feeling it will be 2-4 weeks to receive a decision. I am hoping not to wait till the end of June…</p>