Feel like GS ripping me off...Goin to NYU Instead..

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Thks for the info in my last post ixjunitxi, but I think now I'm leaning towards NYU. I have read much about General Studies on these forums over the last few hours and a few things really distress me. </p>

<p>I understand that the admissions for GS are less stringent than Columbia College and that doesn't bother me because I know that I still worked hard and received the best possible grades in my two years of CC work (4.0, All A's through 54 credits). The way I look at it, GS students may have had an easier time getting into Columbia but in the end, things work out because students from the College and GS are intergrated into the same core and electives, sitting right next to each other in the same classes. So the unqualified students would be quickly weeded out or drop out on their own .</p>

<p>This is why the lengths that Columbia goes to in differentiating GS from Columbia College upsets me. If I survive my first semester and go on to graduate with a 3.8 GPA and some kid from Columbia College graduates with a 3.0, why do I receive a degree that is not even printed in Latin and makes a point of spelling out "General Studies". The term "General Studies" is too similar to other university programs that amount to nothing more than extension schools or continuing ed...</p>

<p>Considering I'm being charged the same tuition, taking the same curriculum, getting graded by the same professors... in the same classes as Columbia College and SEAS students, I don't see how the school can justify attempting to "water" down my accomplishment in a potential recruiter's eyes. I don't even get access to the same alumni network, listing in the job database or career services as Columbia College grads.</p>

<p>Basically I feel like I'm getting ripped off... Yes, I'm receiving a "Columbia" education and a "Columbia" Degree but why does the school go all out to make me feel like I'm really not a legitimate Columbia Grad?</p>

<p>I'm sorry but Columbia can't have it both ways...there is a definite pool of legit "non-traditional" students who are Columbia material. If Columbia wants to tap into that pool, take thier money and put them through the same rigorous course work once they arrive on campus, they cannot continue to justify perpetuating and aiding in the "second class" alumni stereotype that seems to be pervasive around some circles. </p>

<p>Well, they can and I'm sure they will continue to do so in order to reap the financial rewards without suffering the wrath of some (not all) of the spolied kids at Columbia College who may start crying if GS is FULLY integrated as an EQUAL school in Columbia, but the fact that they will continue to do it doesn't make it right. Hopefully more students who are truly qualified and get accepted into the FULL programs at other schools will also shun GS and send the administration a message.</p>

<p>At least NYU isn't suffering from the same split personality. They judged my superior academic record, took into account my non-traditional background and deemed me worthy to be a regular student at CAS, just like any other applicant. Columbia could easily admit an extra 100 or 150 non-traditional students into Columbia College with a few restrictions like access to on-campus student dorms but the other restrictions I mentioned are inexcusable in my view.</p>

<p>I'm sure there are a lot of current and former GS students who will vehemently disagree and that's fine, I'm sure you all of have good points and may say that I have a warped opinion on the matter but in any case, I feel my concerns are real. In the end you have to trust your own gut feeling and do what you feel is best for your own life. I think I'll be just fine if I graduate from NYU, with a real NYU degree. I'll have a top education under my belt, have access to all support and alumni services commensurate with an NYU graduate and I won't ever have to deal with a company questioning the legitimacy of my educational accomplishments.</p>

2

<p>Track87, I am a parent just browsing this AM. I have to tell you that I did not know alot about Columbia, or the difference between Columbia College and GS, but I do now. You are a talented writer, and make some very valid points. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SETTLE FOR LESS. If you feel that going to Columbia and getting a GS degree is not first class, then do not go. They don't deserve you. Take the acceptance from NYU and run with it. </p>

<p>Perception is everything. Here in FL, UCF is an up-and-coming state U. It used to be that anyone could get in. And mostly locals went. Now, it is coming of age. The campus is well rounded, the on-campus dorm opportunities mean it is no longer a communter school. Its football stadium brings the college environment there to a whole new level. And the scores and GPA needed to get an acceptance are rising fast. It is becoming a first choice for many, right up there with UF and FSU. The level of teaching is high, the honors college is first-rate.</p>

<p>Problem is, if you are going to stay in Florida to work, you will have a degree from an institution that the locals still do not equate with FSU or UF. My father went back to school and eventually got his BS, MS, and EdD, his MS and EdD from UCF. He is retired from a government job, now teaching a class here and there at the CC. When we were chatting recently about UCF, and its "rise" to glory. He chucked and said that just in the last month a prominent businessman in the community said "UCF, isn't that where you go when you can't get in anywhere else." It seems the only ones who appreciate what it takes to get into UCF now are high school students and their GS's, recent HS grads, and UCF students. Anyone 30 and older in Orlando, and in Florida as a whole, does not really appreciate a degree from UCF.</p>

<p>If it is your personal perception that a GS degree is second rate, than it will taint your experience there; even if the classes are integrated and just as rigorous. And you are probably right about the perception of the degree in certain circles. And if you plan to travel in those circles, it will forever be a problem for you. And for the price of full tuition....it doesn't seem worth it in you situation, with your perceptions.</p>

<p>Sounds like NYU "gets" you, and is a better fit.</p>

3

<p>Thank You for the encouragement Sunny. Yes, it's a shame that "outside" perceptions don't match the reality of the quality of education present at UCF. Unfortunately, when people are paying such high tution prices and devoting so much time towards earning a degree, one of the considerations ultimately has to be the public (especially job recruiters) perception of your school's quality and standards.</p>

<p>Just as in the case of UCF, GS has a perception problem, with the added insult of that perception being encouraged by Columbia. I'll change my view when GS students pay half of the tution being charged to Columbia College students,lol...</p>

<p>I will definitely go with my conscience and heed your advice as well, I'll take my NYU acceptance and "run with it" ;-)</p>

4

<p>you have forgotten one major point though.... no employer will actually know u went to GS unless you explicitly TELL them. As far as i know, there is no employer out there who expects me to carry around my degree to a job interview. The vast majority of GS students get away will and go through life without ever mentioning GS on their resume and they do just fine. The integration debate is raging now at columbia and there are GS students who don't want to see it happen because they're happy with the way things are and the more tightknit community that GS offers them. Oh, and my SEAS degree is also written in english and not latin...does that make it less prestigious? I think you should stop trying to get a good deal on your purchase and go where you think you can pursue ur interests and get the best education because I'm assuming thats why you want to go to college in the first place.</p>

5

<p>I Agree. Go where you feel most comfortable. A diploma in English rather than Latin should not be contributing to the factors in your decisions. If you feel you will gain more by attending NYU then that's the best place for you. Chose a school based on how well you fit in. Both are excellent students. Employers will not know you went to GS, let alone look down on it, which makes the point of going to GS over CAS @ NYU irrelevant. Make this decision for the right reasons, not because you feel GS is inferior to Columbia which is not the case by any means.</p>

6

<p>Track87 mentioned GS students don't have access to alumni from cc or the same career services, is this true?</p>

7

<p>Does anyone happen to know how Columbia GS stacks up to the other Columbia schools in terms of applying to graduate schools? I am very interested in the Columbia GS program, but am a bit concerned about how other graduate schools see Columbia GS. Is a 3.5 or whatever GPA the same at GS as it is at the other schools? Do graduate programs "look down" on applicants from GS? </p>

<p>I hope they do not. I have become really excited about GS.</p>

8

<p>es four, I'm totally not an authority on this, but it seems that since a GS student has to take the same courses as a "normal" Columbia student for a given degree, that degree and the grades associated with it ought to carry the same weight, right? If not, the grad schools would be judging us on our undergraduate admissions accomplishments. What next, will they ask for our high school grades.</p>

9

<p>Just an aside...</p>

<p>Don't GS students also have to pay full tuition without financial aid? Just something I heard...</p>

<p>If so, that ought to play into your decision as well Track.</p>

10

<p>Not without financial aid, just with substantially less financial aid than normal undergraduates. There had to be a catch, right? Also, when I met the Dean of Admissions (at some sales pitch thing) he said GS students get access to the full alumni network. Maybe he misspoke or I misunderstood, but he said it explicitly several times.</p>

11

<p>Shraf hit the nail on the head. You seem to be worried about superficial indicators of status within the school. To the outside world your resume is going to read "BA, Columbia University."</p>

<p>I know GS is served by the same career services office as CC. They might create events for each school separately since many GS students have work experience/are older and have different needs than CC students. As for access to alumni? It's not like there's some secret handshake they give to CC students that magically opens doors for us. You'll have access to the university wide alumni directory, something that just came in very handy for me for networking purposes.</p>

<p>The big issue for you should be $$$. GS just doesn't have a lot of money of its own, and it shows wrt its financial aid offerings. Take a look into what NYU's offering you and make the best decision for you.</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
I don't even get access to the same alumni network

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Is that for real? seems like a pretty stupid move that cuts off a whole swath of potential donors...</p>

13

<p>your very lucky to have gotten in NYU..my friend really really really wants to go there..</p>

14

<p>Indeed, it is humiliating to be slighted, GSP'd by EITHER Columbia or NYU. GS is a Scarlet Letter emblazoned onto one's very face.</p>

<p>NYU has some of the strongest and most exceptional undergraduate programs in the country: you won't go wrong. All of the internships and cultural activities that New York City will have to offer will still be at your disposal. You won't feel as if your personal achievements have been undermined.</p>

<p>In truth, it is irrelevant where one pursues one's education. If one is as motivated and passionate as you are, then one is more than capable of succeeding at life: personally and financially.</p>

15

<p>to the OP:</p>

<p>What you fail to realize is that the entire mystique behind the ivy league degree is its exclusivity. Do you really think that Columbia is going to lower itself to people like you just because you managed to pull a perfect grade against student who are borderline high school drop-outs? Get real.</p>

16

<p>Colt45, he took CC classes. GS students are put into the college's classes; at least that's what Track87 intimates.</p>

17

<p>CC = community college</p>

18

<p>Huh, for some reason I thought that he had spent that much time in GS and was transferring out of THAT for NYU. Sorry.</p>

19

<p>colt45-Once students are in Columbia GS they are taking the same courses as other Columbia students, same profs,etc. They are earning their grades in classes with "regular" Columbia students not "marginal high-school drop-outs." When they are ready to graduate I think they have proved themselves. Just an observation-The wording of your posts shows a lot of innate hostility (references to "people like you", cursing, etc).</p>

20

<p>"to the OP:</p>

<p>What you fail to realize is that the entire mystique behind the ivy league degree is its exclusivity. Do you really think that Columbia is going to lower itself to people like you just because you managed to pull a perfect grade against student who are borderline high school drop-outs? Get real."</p>

<p>wow, perfect reason I am not going to GS. They really need to work on the image they present to you silver spoon kids. For instance I got into other "exclusive" ivy's..... INTO THEIR REGULAR PROGRAM, but had to apply to GS because I was out of school for a couple years. NYU isn't a school to look down at either, if you want business.</p>

<p>Someday certain people will learn that going to college right after high school doesn't make you smarter. We all know that when you apply in high school your extracurriculars are what help you get an edge over every other 4.0 kid. So I wonder why these people think that if you did your extracurricular for a year that you should be punished for it?</p>

<p>The point of the matter is that Columbia should be a draw, as it was for me at first, for extremley WELL ROUNDED students that have amazing acdemic potential. However because of people like Colt 45 and their horrible financial aid policy, they will be a last choice for anyone with two comparable schools to choose from.</p>