Former Marine applying for GS

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Good evening, everybody. I'm new to the forum, so please keep personal judgments silent. ;) I was hoping some of you could shine some light for me on writing a statement of purpose as part of my application to the School of General Studies and also what you think my chances might be getting in.</p>

<p>I'm just out of an almost five-year enlistment in the Marine Corps, where I served as a journalist. Two of those years I spent at a small public affairs office the Marine Corps maintains in Manhattan, where I met Curtis Rodgers, dean of admissions at GS, and several Columbia alumnus who advised me to apply for GS.</p>

<p>I'm a Cuban American with a pretty storied past, having spent my teenage years growing up in a Miami, Florida, ghetto, where I became interested in public policy and its detrimental effect on my life and community. When I was 17 years old, I dropped out of high school and joined the military. I spent several years in Japan, deploying throughout the poorer sections of Southeast Asia as part of humanitarian and disaster relief missions. My participation in these missions caused me to reflect on my experiences as a child and gave me new purpose. I am still very interested in public policy, but more than this, I'm ready to rally the disaffected in communities like mine for meaningful change. I have received numerous military awards for my work in Asia and Manhattan and am ready to use the discipline that was instilled in me during my military career toward achieving similar academic success.</p>

<p>That being said, despite the assurances of the dean of admissions and Columbia military veterans, I've become pretty disconcerted after reading a lot on these boards about GPAs and high school scores. In the course of my loud protests against the educational system in my neighborhood, I failed ninth grade and dropped out by the 11th grade with a 0.695 GPA. In addition to that, I attended community college before enlisting in order to attain a higher rank upon entry, during which I failed a class on social environment that I stopped attending after several disagreements with the instructor (again, sins of the past. ;) )</p>

<p>I will be attending a full-time semester of community college courses in the Spring in effort to show academic improvement, but is this enough? Note that I am taking 16 credits comprised of five classes, including a second attempt at the social environment class (the college I failed it at practices grade forgiveness.) I should have a 3.4 - 3.6 GPA if I achieve straight As and make up that one failure.</p>

<p>Again, thank you for all of your help.</p>

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<p>hmm well you have a very interesting story and I commend you for the work you have done. I am hesitant to say you should apply after your first semester of cc classes. Although I'm sure your work in the military and seemingly extraordinary turn around will be very compelling, they are definitely going to want to see your can succeed at Columbia, since it is a very demanding school. That being said, I would really work for straight A's (or VERY close to that) for the next two semesters. Also, take at least 15 credits per semester. After that, I would definitely consider applying. If you can show "hey I am not all talk... I really can do this" your application will be much stronger. By the way, do you have your GED? </p>

<p>I hope you will find this advice helpful and best of luck in your application process.
Also, I was recently admitted to GS and will start in the spring semester (hopefully that gives this advice some credibility?)</p>

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<p>Haha, speedy reply. Thanks.</p>

<p>I got my GED a few months after dropping out of high school.</p>

<p>I'm currently volunteering as an assistant journalism teacher at a local high school and expect to continue doing so while attending school. One of the GS counselors suggested to me that I apply for Fall 2009 and the worst-case scenario would be that they want me to attend one more semester to further show that I've actually improved, which wouldn't be entirely horrible as I could use the extra time to continue working with the students here. </p>

<p>All in all, It's never really been a question of my capability so much as my discipline. It's my strong opinion that if a term as an enlisted Marine doesn't show increased discipline on paper, nothing will. :D</p>

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<p>Are any GS students available to help demystify the autobiographical essay portion of the application? </p>

<p>Specifically: how personal of an account are they expecting; what they mean by "identify and describe specific elements of the program, academic or otherwise, that meet your needs as a nontraditional student, [and] also explain why GS is the place for you"; and finally, have any of you written the optional essay (and if so, would you mind sharing what you wrote regarding?)</p>

<p>Also, for letters of recommendation, is it alright to send three? I'm currently fighting between a letter from my former staff sergeant in Japan, my 10th grade English teacher and possibly one of my professors in the next semester of community college I will be attending.</p>

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<p>bred,</p>

<p>At the information session I attended, they mentioned that sending in more than 2 letters of recommendation is fine. Just don't go over board ;-) Also, academic recommendations weigh the heaviest, so keep that in mind.</p>

<p>Also, I think rcl268 is right on for the academic progress. If you can, spend as much time at your CC raising your GPA. I'm stuck in the prediciment where I'm maxed out as far as credits at a CC, at least for the GI Bill, and can't really raise my GPA anymore than it is. But, if I could, I would. Not to mention the more credits you can transfer into the school the better, financially speaking.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>My primary concern is that I'm not really going into Columbia for the degree so much as I am for the education. As good as community college is at showing a sustained academic effort, I don't feel intellectually stimulated in my classes.</p>

<p>I'll have about 30 credits at the end of this next semester and my GPA should be a 3.67 at that point (there will still be two Cs on my record from my schooling before the military.) I'm hoping that my marked improvement this semester in tandem with my military accolades will show on paper that I am capable of succeeding at the school.</p>

<p>The money thing is definitely a huge issue, but ultimately my need for intelligent discourse trumps it. And as I said on a previous thread, the other Ivy nontraditional schools seem to be nothing more than glorified night schools.</p>

<p>Josebezme, just curious, but are you going to be eligible for the new GI Bill? It'll become active Fall 2009 for anybody who served on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and is supposed to have some increased benefits. Just thought you should know if you haven't been told about it.</p>

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<p>A little bit off point here, but you do realize that Columbia is very anti-military, no ROTC, but Ahlmindejad can hang there! Will this be a good fit since you want to use the discipline the military taught you?</p>

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<p>bulletandpima,</p>

<p>I believe there's a small conservative military crowd there that holds its own under pressure. </p>

<p>I tend to blend in well with both groups, regardless, as I have more socially liberal views predicated by my background.</p>

<p>Besides, is there anything more dichotomous than being a Marine Corps journalist? ;) I think people will be too busy trying to figure me out to concern themselves with stereotypes.</p>

<p>Edited to say: I don't intend on hanging with people who allow their social circles to dictate their worldview. Also, I think your tone is pretty exclusive and condescending by its own right.</p>

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<p>You may feel that way, and by all means it is your right. I have friends who do have children there, it is very liberal. My DH just retired from the military, our DS is on a full ride for the AFROTC. I know of the small conservative groups that exists, but I am also originally from that area and I would find it very difficult to believe that people will not get under your skin for your military background...especially if you have supported this war.</p>

<p>I am sorry if I sound condescending or exclusive, but I find it amazing that a University invites Ahmendijad and pays a fee for him to speak about how Iran has no gays, and hitler, but will not allow the ROTC. (If you don't realize Bollinger said that the University voted against ROTC because of the don't ask, don't tell policy) Last I checked those kids that get a Columbia degree, but must attend ROTC at another college will be protecting Columbia's right to do so. Oxymoron at its best! Invite the guy who doesn't believe his country has one gay person, but not allow our govt to have ROTC at Columbia for a quasi regulation that Bill Clinton put in place in the 90's. BTW the program was banished 40 yrs ago, so their stance for no ROTC due to homosexuals is a smoke screen.</p>

<p>Good luck with Columbia, it is an amazing university. I personally have no dog in this fight. I am just saying as someone who knows Marines I don't see that this will be an easy fit.</p>

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<p>I get your argument. I guess it's just the politically tinged rhetoric that bothers me.</p>

<p>Besides, as someone who knows Marines, you also know that we love being inserted into hostile territories with limited resources and no promise of reinforcements. So, in that respect, Columbia fits like a glove. </p>

<p>Edited to remove lewd elements of my text (i.e. Whoops, I let my Marine show. :D .)</p>

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<p>Bred,
I wish you the best of luck with getting admited to Columbia GS. Two years ago, I applied for admissions into the program to get a BA degree. However, I was rejected on the basis that I had too many B's(six B's) and one "D" in my classes. Although, most of my remaining 12 classes are "A's". The admissions officer told me that my essay and recomendations were excellent. Never the less, he told me that Columbia GS wants straight "A" students, or around a 3.7 GPA cutoff. It could be very different with you than it was in my case.</p>

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<p>Give it a shot-- The worst they can say is no. If you are denied, you can reapply the following term (assuming your grades have improved.) </p>

<p>As far as the essay, I would go as personal as you needed in order to explain why they ought to offer you admission. My essay was fairly personal and nearly 10 pages, to give you an idea.</p>

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<p>bred,
I wish you the best of luck. You do seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I hope you get into Columbia.</p>

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<p>I am not impressed so far.</p>

<p>You were so arrogant at high school and community college that you dropped out or failed.</p>

<p>You were so interested in helping people that you joined the marines. The marines made you a journalist and a charity worker in Asia.</p>

<p>You havn't actually gone back to community college yet, so there is not much evidence of all them "A"s. And what about SAT scores?</p>

<p>You have a LOT to do to prove that you are capable of academic discipline and Columbia level academic work.</p>

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<p>Haha, thanks, sorghum. Considering that every one of your three posts on this website consist of you harshly knocking potential university applicants, I'll assume you have some issues you're currently working through and leave you to your devices. ;)</p>

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<p>Thanks, thebeef. Are you going to be starting in the spring?</p>

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<p>You seem like an extremely articulate individual, who is definitely well-expressed and mature. I'm sure that anything you write for your application will only enhance it. With that said, your grades need to show that you will put in the effort (basically, that you're not lazy) and that you possess the intellectual capacity (can be shown by test scores as well) to attend Columbia. I think you have an excellent shot, especially after having been acquainted with staff from Columbia.</p>

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<p>I really appreciate your comments, freefondue. I completely agree that my primary focus should be showing that marked academic improvement I'm trying to pawn myself off as being capable of. ;)</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Thanks, thebeef. Are you going to be starting in the spring?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No, I'll be entering in fall 2009 as a freshman. Hope to see you on campus!</p>

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<p>"You were so arrogant at high school and community college that you dropped out or failed."</p>

<p>Sorghum, your analytical skills and insights are truly unparalleled. I wish I were as good at deductive thinking.</p>

<p>Bred: Go for it. I think you'll have a good application, sans the grades--like some people said, the latter needs some work, and explaining. You're obviously well spoken and articulate, so I'm inclined to think your high school failures were because you had a lot on your plate/other priorities/lazy. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>