<p>I got rejected for the Spring 12' semester and I was pretty despondent to say the least. However after overcoming the disappointment and sadness, I have decided to reapply again. I intend on writing a stronger essay and increasing my GPA of 3.65. I've read that most accepted applicants have a 3.7+ Can anyone give me any advice or things to consider when writing my essay. Also, has anyone ever been rejected only to be accepted the second time around? If so, what did you do differently to make your application stronger?</p>
<p>Apparently it’s quite common to gain admission on the second cycle. You may also elect to consult with GS as they offer specific feedback for initially unsuccessful applicants. Probably the main thing to consider the second time around is demonstrating improvement in whatever aspect that was deemed lacking. This may extend to participation in more extracurricular activities, a heavier course loaded accentuated by better grades, or a more general cultivation of the collective application. Otherwise, if your essay and story were authentic to who you are, I do not advise changing it but maybe tying some loose ends. Reapplying with renewed vigor and marked improvement demonstrates a persistence and perseverance that, I think, underlies the ethos of GS. Good luck to you, and happy new year!</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure you can. Call GS and ask what you can do to improve your application. My guess would be the GPA - how have you done on recent coursework? Long term GPA isn’t so important, but if you have a lot of recent Cs and Bs, that’ll probably do you in.</p>
<p>“Applicants may not simultaneously apply to the School of General Studies and to any other undergraduate division of Columbia University Columbia College (CC), or the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) nor are candidates eligible to apply to the School of General Studies if in the last three years they applied to any of these divisions and were not accepted.”</p>
<p>I took that to mean you can’t reapply within three years, but I guess “these divisions” could mean only CC and SEAS but not GS.</p>
<p>There are plenty of people that get rejected and accepted the second time around. You need to really make yourself sound like you have done your research on Columbia in the essay you write by writing about specific courses you want to take ( talk about the core, and other classes and professors), along with what type of extracurricular activities you want to pursue ( again, research this ) . Also talk about the services that GS provides to students in terms of research, graduate studies, etc. Adcoms need to know that you know what you are getting yourself into, and they need to be confident that you are coming in here to stay, not drop out. With that said, try to take harder courses at your institution, and make yourself look like you multitask quite a bit so that it at least seems that you can handle a boatload of work.</p>
<p>For example, I took 20+ credits the last semester before I transferred, was the president of my business club at school, and I was interning at a local non-profit, while I also created a working web site. The email address I used for them to get back to me was my <a href="mailto:name@mywebsite.com">name@mywebsite.com</a> and I am sure this impressed them as most Adcoms at GS are non-tech savvy.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I truly appreciate it! I am currently working on my essay and I have been doing quite a bit of research as @Randomdmit suggested. This is something I failed to do in my last essay. @Iggs and campaigner, I called them and I have a Feedback appointment on Thursday. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Is this the part where im supposed to cry? Im a truck driver with a 3.62 gpa. its pretty tough to do extra curricular activities, seeing that i spend most of my time on the road. i work 14-16 hour days and with whats left over, i read a couple of hours and hit the bed. the resumes of prospective applicants is making me give a second look at my app. hmmm if only i could part the Atlantic ocean, then perhaps i would have a shot…lol</p>
<p>I’d discourage reapplying right away. Afterall, how different of an applicant can you be one cycle later? Your persistence is admirable. But, do you really think it’s a good idea to say, “Hey, a few months have gone by and I’m totally ready now” and expect the admissions officers to go along with it?</p>
<p>My advice, and take it only as far as you’d like, would be to wait at least a year. Pack the next year with outstanding academic work and activities that bring out the best of who you are as a student and person.</p>
<p>Call up the GS office and tell that you got rejected and you seek advice/reason why. They will set you an appointment with an admissions officer and basically tell you exactly why they rejected you.</p>