<p>I am applying to both Columbia's SGS and Upenn's CGS for the Spring 2007 semester and wanted to know if current/admitted students could help give me some guidance/info on admissions.</p>
<p>I am a community college transfer that has taken time off to support my family and care for a mentally ill brother, fitting the non-traditional student profile. As my grades are not stellar, I want to shine w/ my personal statement as much as possible.</p>
<p>I've completed my essay but wanted to know if the admitted folks could give input on how they answered: "'identify and describe specific elements of the program that meet my needs as a nontraditional student" and "why GS is the place for you". What do you think its most important to focus on here?</p>
<p>I've implicitly answered why GS is for me by telling my story/who I am to show that I fit the non-traditional applicant that the school is looking for and have identified briefly some features of the program (i.e. flexibility, support catered towards the needs of non-traditional students, liberal arts focus). However, I feel like this is just repeating their marketing marterial. Is this along the lines of what you guys included? Is this how to answer "why GS" ?</p>
<p>Also, can you share your thoughts/experiences during the application process in general? What do you think made your essay successful? What do you think the school is looking for in an ideal candidate? How do you like GS's education?</p>
<p>Any admission tips for would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I am a current GS student (and I remember looking here for for answers when I was an applicant). First, the difference between Columbia's GS and Penn's is huge. Columbia has the only fully integrated program for non-traditional students. From what I understand (and this is from Columbia's Dean Awn's), similar programs at other Ivies segregate their non-traditional students.</p>
<p>To answer your question about the essay, I'll say this. Focus on creating a compelling portrait of yourself and your educational/profession/personal journey. If you end up here, you'll learn that everyone has a "story" and the stories are incredibly varied and for the most part interesting. Judging from what the entering classes look like, the admissions staff seeks to put together a very diverse class. Your best angle in the essay is to highlight personal qualities/experiences that will help you contribute to the mosaic. The idea is to make your personality jump off the page. Columbia admissions in general (I was also a Columbia College student years before) puts huge weight into the essay. I wouldn't worry too much about the specifics like program flexibility, etc. And it goes without saying- make sure it's written very, very well- have someone read it a few times. But that doesn't necessarily mean formal- both of my Columbia essays were rather conversational.</p>
<p>Hope this helps a bit. Maybe you'll be joining our ranks in the spring.</p>
<p>thanks pilar_nyc for your reply and encouragement! I really appreciate! =) </p>
<p>I had a follow up questions regarding the Why GS is the place for you?" part. Do you think that telling my story and leaving the fit up to the ad com is the best approach or should I directly "identify components on the program that meet my needs as a non-traditional student"? This is the part that was stressed in the prompt as a guideline for succesful essays. Please kindly let me know what your thoughts are on this? Also, would you prefer that I email or pm you directly?</p>
<p>I would definitely answer the part about why GS is the place fo you. It's a very key part. The life story part of the essay should lead pretty easily into answering that component. The aspects of your life story that you are highlighting in the essay should be contributing factors in your reasoning for being at GS- it's not like you're just giving them the details of your life for no reason. The things your specifically mention should be in there for a purpose- you're building your argument for being admitted. That sounds formulaic, but I'm sure you know how to make it sound more natural than I'm describing.</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. I read another person's essay on this board and gave some feedback. Let me know if you really get stuck.</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to reply and offering to read my essay. I'm going to work on it and will definately pm once its ready for feedback or if I get really stuck. I have a better idea of how I'm going to write my story now from what you pointed out. btw, my sn is ahuynh86 if you're able to chat on aim.</p>