School of General Studies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I am glad that Columbia has a distinct College for non-traditional student, typically older transfer students who had an education break between h.s. and college (1~3years+) because of financial, personal, traveling and other reasons.</p>

<p>Students of the School of General Studies are intergrated with Columbia College, with the same classes, curriculum, faculty and etc.</p>

<p>What is the goal and mission here? </p>

<p>I am very interested in this program. Anyone here attending the School of General Studies at Columbia?</p>

<p>Inputs, comments, statistics, social aspects, and anything informative is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Brief info on grades/work:
Received a F in Calculus I(lined out), and 3 Ws in the fall of 2001--totally not ready.</p>

<p>Completed 19 units of coursework. 4.0
Currently taking 12 units along with a 35~40hrs job.</p>

<p>EC: None...ideas?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>"What is the goal and mission here?"</p>

<ul>
<li>to give you an undergrad education. it's as simple and broad as that, make of it what thou wilt.</li>
</ul>

<p>so you want to get in with:</p>

<p>" Received a F in Calculus I(lined out), and 3 Ws in the fall of 2001--totally not ready.</p>

<p>Completed 19 units of coursework. 4.0
Currently taking 12 units along with a 35~40hrs job.</p>

<p>EC: None...ideas?"</p>

<p>are you superman or a head of state? :p</p>

<p>this is a competitive process, and yes columbia takes a lot of interesting GS student, but it is competitive and they are taking in students for academics. the grades right now are decent, but you seem to have nothing else to show. maybe you're job is pretty crazy, i don't know.</p>

3

<p>Columbia General Studies is like Harvard Extension School or UPenn General Studies</p>

4

<p>Honestly I think you will have a hard time getting to GS with a low GPA. GS is an undergrad school for returning students, but these students have done extraordinary things with their lives while out of school. The students at GS are published authors, former CEO’s, professional dancers, accomplished musicians… It’s not like they took “time off” from school and watched the time go by. They committed themselves to very challenging lives prior to their college education. Their previous experiences installed a discipline that enables them to succeed at Columbia. Additionally, the intensity of studying at Columbia is astounding, and there is very little help available once you’re here. In my Calc 3 course for example, the professor doesn’t take questions or go over homework, and he assigns weekly problems which are graded like exams. There is a calculus help room, but it’s always packed with students. You’re on your own.
It’s really tough. There isn’t a distinction between the other undergrad schools once you’re in here. Everyone chooses their classes from the same pool of availability. You’re in each other’s classes and competing for the same grades (That’s why it cracks me up that people on CC bicker over Barnard vs. Columbia College). The only Calc help room in the university is at Barnard. It’s all interconnected. Everyone has the same opportunities and the same challenges. My point is that if you are having trouble at your current school, you will probably die at Columbia.</p>