<p>It does seem shady only because they're like, "Well, you can't go where you want, but we'll stick you here instead." And it's not really the required courses that bug me since I know majors have required classes, but more like the way they phrase the course. As though we can't do it on our own so they're going to keep an eye on us and baby us.</p>
<p>i was placed into GSP with a 2110 (750CR, 650M, 710W) and SATIIs 650 Math II, 680 lit, and 730 bio. according to US News and World Report, NYU's upper SAT percentile is a 1410...and i'm in GSP w/a 1400.
i'm not really complaining...you get the same degree in 4 years, so who really cares...</p>
<p>So it doesn't show up on your diploma that you were in GSP?</p>
<p>Actually raymzizu I did attend an information session and I've read the pamphlets they've sent home on GSP so I'm not totally unenlightened about the program. I'm not as easily sold as you were, for the same reason the user below you stated...the Dean is obviously there to talk up his school, he's not gonna talk crap about his own program. Lets be honest, even if you went to the suckiest community college in the country for an info session, they would talk up there school. </p>
<p>It's not that I'm bother by required classes, b/c I would have to take those in CAS as well as other schools, it's just the way the whole GSP is set up for two years, with your classes already picked for you, and you can't even declare a major.
At the info session they tried to make it sound all "You've been selected for this program b/c you are so SPECIAL and stupendous, so special we put you in a separate school for people just like you, so you can grow and learn, because we REALLY want you!"</p>
<p>GSP will probably give you a good education, but when they select you for GSP, they're basically saying you're not good enough for whatever program you really want, just like how in high school they stick some kids in remedial classes. You can rephrase it anyway you want to be more PC, but that's just what it is.</p>
<p>Nickel Xenon, you will get the same degree anyone else at NYU has. Your transcript obviously shows the classes taken so its not difficult to figure out you were in GSP, and in fact im pretty sure it says you were, but I doubt this really matters.</p>
<p>You get the same NYU degree anyone else will.</p>
<p>NYU tends to make the GSP thing sound shady, but in reality its not. GSP is the second or third largest class of incoming freshman at NYU next to CAS and maybe Stern.</p>
<p>GSP does kind of select your schedule as you must take certain classes at certain stages (ie..first semester, second semester), but in CAS you must take these required classes as well, and new students typically take these first anyway. No CAS freshman will be taking a majority of classes for their major first semester anyway. Second semester GSP you can take a class for your major.</p>
<p>In CAS, you must take...</p>
<p>Expository Writing
foreign language study
Foundations of Contemporary Culture
World Cultures
Conversations of the West
One of many courses in the social sciences
One of many courses in the arts
Foundations of Scientific Inquiry
courses in natural and quantitative sciences</p>
<p>Now sure CAS does not choose when you take these. But no freshman is going to wait to take writing until you are a senior. Every freshaman in CAS will take writing. In GSP it is merely the same thing. You take writing, a cultures, cultural foundations...etc.</p>
<p>I was in the program, I should know. NYU does not distribute good information on the GSP program, but the fact is the required classes are very similar to the CAS required classes, and either way will be taken in your early years at NYU.</p>
<p>I am sorry to call you out on this, but I just feel this topic needs to be addressed.</p>
<p>The NYU pamphlet makes GSP sound remedial. I thought the same thing when reading it. "Will I be a second class citizen?" </p>
<p>However, this is entirely not the case. GSP features SMALL classes.</p>
<p>Now this is a benefit for several reasons. One, knowing the professor personally might help your grade. Two, having a TA grade all your tests and essays (this is the way it is in a lecture class), makes you wonder if the TA is actually grading the way the professor wants, and if the TA actually knows enough about the topic to be grading your exams.</p>
<p>Your whole grade will depend on your TA in a lecture class. TAs have a ton of power, yet they are merely graduate students. They have not had years teaching, and probably do not even have a PhD. </p>
<p>There has been more than one instance where the TA has incorrectly graded something, and if this mistake was not caught, your grade will suffer.</p>
<p>I dont know about you, but Id rather not have the TAs run the class, but instead deal directly with the professor.</p>
<p>GSP has small classes, which allow you to do just this. Now you may say small classes are not for you. Well, small classes are a sign of a good education. The USnews typically ranks schools that have a smaller average class size, higher.</p>
<p>Secondly, if you want to succeed in the world, you better get used to getting noticed. Hiding in the back of the room may work in lecture, but wont get you a job in the real world.</p>
<p>If you are too immature to realize that GSP is not a "remedial" program, than perhaps college is not for you. One who judges others only has a place in highschool, where gossip and rumors are the norm. Feel free to judge, and have fun living your life in the vanity that you gain from others.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info, JJim1919...you're right the pamphlet does make GSP sound remedial. Unfortunately I haven't been able to talk to actual GSP students to hear their experience, only CAS and Tisch students, and future CAS, Tisch and Stern students. To be honest, the program seems shady to me b/c when a NYU rep came to my school to talk about NYU, he went into detail about all the schools and didn't even mention GSP until someone asked him about it...then he sort of made a quick comment and brushed it off, as if it were something unimportant to talk about.</p>
<p>My sister graduated from CAS and participated in GSP...you get the SAME EXACT diploma...she has said that if anything its better because the classes are so small...some introductory classes in CAS can consist up to hundreds of students just as in any large institution</p>
<p>let's just say that i'm giving the dean the benefit of the doubt.. he was able to explain GSP and its benefits and answer the scrutinizing questions of the parents regarding the nature of the program (and of the referral letter that garnered tremendous reaction from the audience)</p>
<p>one cant' say i was easily sold.. i just opened up my mind.. weighed the pros and cons.. processed the info he gave us.. (the pamphlets never really gave justice to GSP if i may say so...coz they DO give it a sucky light)</p>
<p>also.. i like that that it's a mentoring program.. where professors help you construct ur possibilities for your future in NYU.</p>
<p>so hey.. i dont mean to offend anyone ok? :)</p>
<p>It did feel like they were trying to stick me in some kind of remedial course, but I'm not very sure what to make it. I think I'll consider it harder once more decisions come in. I still have five more.</p>
<p>JJim1919 i love your last statement :)</p>
<p>people seem to view their GSP referrals with bruised-ego-tinted-sunglasses.</p>
<p>you didn't offend me raymzizu :) it's just I'm not sold on GSP. I guess I was never really a big NYU fan to begin with, but I do love some things about the school. I'm going to wait for my other 5 decisions to come in and then decide..so far I've been accepted to one safety and one target, I have to hear from the others first.</p>
<p>I'm not totally sold either. I'll wait for more decisions to come out before I make a choice, but the way they presented the program to me really did make me feel as though I were being stuck in remedial classes.</p>
<p>Same with me, Nickel. I know that NYU is terrific and that GSP is not remedial classes at all, but the way they make it sound...the nyu rep at my school made it sound embarrassing, to be blunt. he was like "If we feel you're not, uh, ready for the school of your choice, but we still want your money, uh I mean YOU, then we'll place you in GSP until you're, uhh...ready." He made it sound so shady. </p>
<p>To be honest, I'm surprised I got gsp'd at all...I figured outright rejection since this is a reach school for me.</p>
<p>I actually thought I had a 50/50 chance of getting in even with my rotten SAT scores. =/ But I dunno, I just didn't expect this. I'd heard of the program before, but had no idea what it was and I just can't get over the feeling they think I'm underachieving.</p>
<p>I thought the same thing when reading the brochure. But once I got to NYU, things became very different. There are a TON of GSP kids here. Having completed the program, I am very glad I decided to attend NYU.</p>
<p>I haven't posted on here for a while but felt I could provide some insight. My son is a 2nd semester soph- now in cas after being in GSP first 3 semesters. He's decided on an economics major-takes some biz courses at stern as well. The GSP program was fine- he liked it. Was able to transfer to cas early cuz of AP credits from HS. There is no reason to feel slighted by not getting into cas as a frosh. In some respects- my son thought GSP was better for him- smaller classes, more direct contact with teachers-especially writing. He is right where he wants and expected to be- going abroad in the fall. If you want to go to NYU and be in NYC- and it's not for everyone- then go for it. It is very pricey-especially the housing costs. He lives 'off campus' now and prefers being out of the dorm but has friends who still dorm and it's personal preference that controls in that regard. I asked him about any stigma being in GSP and he didn't feel any- has good friends in all the schools. Hope some of this helped you out. Good luck in wherever you choose to go. You'll find it doesn't matter all that much in the end- you make good friends and learn anywhere if you want to- NYU is just another name, another place to spend 4short yrs. of a long life ahead!</p>
<p>thank you for that post, makes a lot of us feel better about this whole process.</p>