<p>I found out this week that I was accepted into Columbia University, School of General Studies. I transferred from a community college with a 3.8 GPA and numerous ECs.</p>
<p>GS at Colubmia is designed for students with a one-year break in their education, but students take the same classes as all Columbia University students, are taught by the same faculty, and receive the same degree.</p>
<p>I'm excited about getting into any Ivy League school, but is GS inferior, in any way, to Columbia College? Any information would help me make a better decision. Thanks.</p>
<p>What does "inferior" mean anyway? It's not what Columbia University is known for, if that's what you're asking. GS students still interact with Columbia College students, though, and do also rightfully receive a Columbia University diploma. Many GS students are also postbacs, those who already have an undergraduate degrees elsewhere.</p>
<p>If you read his post, you'd find out that he's already been accepted to Columbia's school of General Studies. So unless Harvard Extension School has rolling admissions or he's willing to wait another year, it's already far too late to apply.</p>
<p>If by inferior you mean much easier to get into, then yes. Columbia College is much more difficult to get into than GS. But I'd take Columbia GS over a Community College any day and if I were in your position I'd be very happy right now :).</p>
<p>For those interested, I called GS today. Here's what I found out:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>One's transcripts and degree will say Columbia University and The School of General Studies. The degree will be signed by the Columbia University president and the dean of GS. The degree will be printed in English and not Latin.</p></li>
<li><p>GS students can take the same core as Columbia College students, if they choose. They also take the same classes, are taught by the same faculty, etc., as CC and SEAS students.</p></li>
<li><p>GS is easier to get into than Columbia College, but the education one receives is identical. Further, the admission rate for GS is higher because GS students tend to be more self-selecting, whereas students coming from high school apply to every school under the sun even if they have a relatively low chance of getting in.</p></li>
<li><p>The primary difference between GS and CC, however, is in student services, housing, academic advising, etc. Because the school caters to non-traditional students, the student services must be necessarily different. Also, there some services (lectures, and such) that only available to CC students and other services that are only available to GS students. For example, GS had a Georgetown Law professor come lecture, permitting only GS students to attend.</p></li>
<li><p>The same undergradute research opportunities are available to GS students and CC students.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I was concerned about the number of GS students getting into law school, so the person I spoke with let me know that 4/7 valedictorians from GS went onto Yale Law last year, while others ended up getting into other great law schools such as Stanford, Harvard, Boalt, Columbia, etc.</p>
<p>The method by which one gets into a great school should not matter as much as what one does during and after receiving his/her education. </p>
<p>If anyone wants/needs more information, I have tons.</p>
<p>icanti, don't start having doubts now that you've been accepted. Remember, there are those of us that would love to be in your shoes. If you're like myself, and most other non-traditional students, you're probably at a point in your life where you appreciate a quality education for what it is. I have no doubt that GS can provide you with a top notch education. Plus, that Columbia diploma will open doors for you, regardless of the path you took to get it.</p>
<p>Thanks Fattymatty. I completely agree. At this point, I'm far more concerned with the quality of the education, which is identical if GS students opt to take the core, than comparing admissions statistics between the two colleges. I posted the information for anyone out there still trying to make a sound decision about Columbia.</p>
<p>Anyone else have information to add about the differences between GS and CC and whether or not I should choose it over Berkeley, UCLA, or Georgetown?</p>
<p>I think you will get a great education at any of these schools. One difference though between GS and CC is housing. If you do not get student housing, can you afford to live in NYC, especially anywhere near Columbia?</p>
<p>Related to that question is that of your undergrad social experience, if that is important to you. At Berkeley and UCLA, presumably you would live in an apartment off campus, probably a building full of students, as do most juniors. I don't know about Georgetown -- dorms? At Columbia, CC students almost all live in dorms for four years and that is a focus for social life. Though GS students take the same classes, they do not necessarily integrate socially (partly because many are older, and many are attending part time while working or raising families). It might be easier socially in that regard at Berkeley, UCLA, or Georgetown.</p>
<p>I've already applied for housing. So, I have two things going for me: I applied early and I live in California. To the issue regarding social life: I'm not really going to Columbia for that. The quality of the education is of primary concern for me. Because that is the case, GS is an amazing option.</p>
<p>Well, when I made my inital post I was somewhat reluctant to send in my reply form. Yet, after having done my research and hearing what others have to say about GS, I have no worry about attending. I've come to terms with the fact that I will be a bit older and, perhaps, labeled a GS student, but to deny that GS students have it easier or receive a significantly different degree is bunk. In fact, the only different between the two degrees is the language they're printed in, which is just a matter of tradition (GS students may take the same core classes as CC students). But, I'm perfectly fine with all of this and I will encounter many of these same problems whether I attend Berkeley or Georgtown, so it makes sense that I attend Columbia, which is certainly more pretigious and will probably afford me more opportunties outside the classroom than either of my two potential alternatives.</p>
<p>exactly what sac just said. I knew about everything you said (i've been following this post and have PMed you directly in the past). But your post earlier today--asking for more--kind of confuses me... it seems that you are able to look past the senseless "GS is not as cool as CC" issues, but are still asking for more?</p>
<p>The only thing left is to really ask yourself... "what would be the biggest issue if I went to GS?"</p>
<p>Then ask us if we know of any solutions or if it is really something to worry about.</p>
<p>You're right. I just want to hear as many different perspectives as possible. All of the different opinions about GS are intersting and, even if I don't agree with all of them, they're helping me make a better decision.</p>
<p>Have you found out any more about any type of possibility regarding Grad School (Law School) not liking a GS student? I really would hope it is not an issue, but has there ever been someone that said different?</p>
<p>I think getting into a good graduate school after Columbia is more a function of how one does at Columbia rather than what college he/she belongs to, since the curriculum, if the GS student decides to follow the same core as the CC student, is identical.</p>
<p>One GS advisor told me that 4 out of the last 7 valedictorians from GS went to Yale Law and many other top-notch GS students went on to places like Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, etc. That convinces me that graduate school options depend on performance and not title.</p>