<p>So here's my situation. I'm a Veteran and I'm going to Community college in Rochester, NY right now to become a High School History teacher. I'm one semester shy of an associates degree in Adolescnet education. I've got a 3.85 GPA and I'm in Phi Theta Kappa international Honor society and I do alot of volunteer work.</p>
<p>I get this email and package from Columbia about Yellow Ribbon program where they and the VA will combine to pay full ride for Undergrad. I've got 29 months left of GI Bill benefits, I've used 7 so far.</p>
<p>So I'm thinking of going for Classical Studies which is where my pasison lies and intend to pursue a law degree after that. My SAT scores weren't great (990 - old SAT's out of 1600) and my high school grades were pretty low (2.3 GPA).</p>
<p>Also how expensive is it to live in NYC, ballpark? For let's say my wife, the inlaws, and I.</p>
<p>What are my chances of getting accepted. I've heard that maybe I won't because I've started school agian or because I go to Community college I'm just really worried and would kind of like some incite and advise.</p>
<p>I just wanted to add other things that may help make me look good.</p>
<p>I also speak German and Romanian, which from the department website is a bonus for the Classical Studies Program.</p>
<p>I work and Go to School full time. A real job, as a manufacturing technician, not a college kid job at a Mall store.</p>
<p>I’ve got good references. West Point Instructor, Senoir level manager at Harris Coporation, couple teachers.</p>
<p>I also have an active Top Secret Government Clearance from the job I did in the military would that help anything? What sort of things are they looking for what puts people over the hump or puts them above other canadates?</p>
<p>I think you would be an interesting candidate, don’t know what advice I could give you though, I’ve been waitlisted. Best of luck!!! Just out of curiosity, where are you from? Not many people chose to learn Romanian as a foreign language. :)</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t think your numbers will get you into Columbia, which is, after all, one of the best universities in the country. The number of errors in your post casts doubt on your writing ability, as well. Also, NYC is extremely expensive. Why don’t you look into some of the SUNY schools.</p>
<p>There’s no way to predict who will or will not get into Columbia…admission to all of those “super selective” schools is practically random…you can have the best scores EVER and not get in. I too think you will be an interesting candidate. Your high school GPA and SATs will not necessarily speak for you, alone! I would recommend perhaps taking the SAT one more time…get some practice in and take the new one so you get a writing score, as well.</p>
<p>You stand a pretty good shot for GS (School of General Studies), you should apply there and see if you get in. Don’t listen to the 3 kids above me, they are all still high school students so they are only comparing you to the college, not GS.</p>
<p>New York is expensive. To support 4 people its likely you will need one person to work full time and probably another person or 2 working part time (assuming pay just above minimum wage). You can get a 2br apartment for around 1500-2500 $/month depending on where in the city you live. Points further away from Manhattan are obviously cheaper (Brooklyn, etc). Can’t really speculate on your food or utilities bills per month tho…</p>