Flipping the General Studies Coin of Chance

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia School of General Studies
1

<p>I am a Irish & Filipino Community College Student from downstate New York applying for transfer this February-March 2011</p>

<p>I am a community college student, however my school is notorious for sending a substantial amount of Honors students to Ivy Institutions. This is probably going to work against me rather than for me.</p>

<p>Honors Student.
GPA: UW 3.72</p>

<p>Acquired instruction in 1 year Honors Chemistry, and taking Calculus III this spring. If I did not take honors chemistry, my gpa would be closer to 3.8.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Financial Economics or Economics-Mathematics</p>

<p>Class Rank: School doesn't rank ( i Think)</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>Taking GSAE</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>-Founder/President of 501 c3 Food Charity Organization
-Founder/President of Online Food Company
-President FBLA (business club)
-Internship: @ Non-Profit Agriculture Organization that deals with facilitating Community Supported Agriculture and advocating bio dynamic farming. Worked closely with executive directors on building a sustainable business model for community supported farms in New York.</p>

<p>-Summer Research: (Biol-Chem Related) Isolated anti-fungal components in plants to test for activity against various fungi. Extensive journal was kept, as well as a research presentation to a professional audience over 300.</p>

<p>-Volunteer Food Bank of New York
-Volunteer Annual Food and Wine Tasting Fundraiser New York City</p>

<p>-Phi Theta Kappa Member</p>

<p>-Some Semesters I work full time while taking full time courses. Other semesters I work Part time (10-20 hours).
-I do not live with parents, I pay rent.</p>

<p>Essays + Recs:
-Spent 6 months polishing the finished product. Several professors, close acquaintances, and friends stamped their seal of approval.
-One recommendation from a Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director.
-One recommendation from honors bio professor
-One recommendation from Director of business department that is also the adviser of my business club.</p>

<p>Hooks: New York Resident; non-traditional undergraduate student (25); fluently speak Vietnamese ( im not vietnamese, not sure if that counts).</p>

2

<p>You definitely have a shot! Like with all applications to GS, the essay will be the most important part for you to focus on.</p>

3

<p>Thanks alot. I have been hammering away at the essay for sure. Not sure what they are looking for but I am sure it is fit oriented. Are some majors harder to transfer to than others in General studies? Or can I just transfer to general studies undecided?</p>

4

<p>It certainly sounds like you’d have a decent shot. As far as your major is concerned, while the application does ask about your proposed major, you are admitted “undeclared” and will officially declare your major sometime after enrolling.</p>

5

<p>Nice! Although GS is more expensive, I truly want to be in an environment where there are people more like myself. I have a shot at other ivy schools but the daggers of disdain are always thrown by the unsympathetic eyes of 18 year old children that haven’t quite realized that non-traditional students can be sophisticated too. I hope to find my place in Columbia GS.</p>

6

<p>The daggers of disdain? Well, that’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it? </p>

<p>The fact of the matter is this: there are good and bad people everywhere - and they come young and old. I think it’s a little hasty to dismiss some 18 year olds as children as I’ve met plenty of CC, SEAS, and Barnard students with more life experience than myself. </p>

<p>Please leave your chip at the admissions door.</p>

7

<p>I think he means at other schools, but the point is no less apt. I’d have to say in my short time here, I’ve met plenty of amazing CC kids who make up for their lack of practical experience with their talent for theoretical application. Nothing like getting drunk while talking about social media’s numbing effect on human empathy.</p>