The grading scale is something like this, compared to US grades:
A=13+
B= 10 <- also called “la moyenne”, it’s something to shoot for although overachievers definitely want more 
C=6-8
Most of your grades will be between 6 and 13, although you could theoretically get 14 or 15, or 2 or 4. Keep in mind that grades outside the 6-13 parameters are rare, indicating an epic fail or an exceptional paper.
Regardless of whether that’s allowed or not… don’t skip class! (Unless you’re sick, in which case getting a doctor’s note for 3 days, arrêt maladie de 3 jours, only requires going to the neighborhood doctor’s.)
Hi @GSTourGuides @MYOS1634
Thanks for volunteering to answer questions about the dual program. I have few, make that many, questions that I am sure are on the minds of many others on this forum.
- If you attend 24 hours of classes per week, this is about 5 hours per day. How do you then have time to study, read the material, write papers, join some extracurricular clubs, etc... ?
- Do you have classes every day of the week? How about on Saturday? If the grading is so harsh, how is credit earned for Columbia? Would a 13 be put as an A on Columbia's transcript or as a 65/100? How would that affect graduating with honors or graduate degree applications?
- Do you cook your own meals or is there some sort of a meal plan or cafeteria? If you cook your meals, how do you have time if you take that many classes?
- How are the integration efforts by Columbia for years 3 and 4 students? By then most Columbia students have already forged their friendships and I am afraid it will be hard to widen your circle of friends outside of the dual degree proram and become a "normal" Columbia student. Is it hard to join clubs especially when other students are on their 3rd year in a particular club. Do they look at you as an outsider?
- Do you have access to all what Columbia offers like any Columbia College student? Is The School of General Studies held to the same esteem as Columbia College? Do students mingle and look at each other as equal?
- Do you have access to any course you wish to take as any other student?
- How do employers look at dual degree graduates? Do they consider it similar to a regular Columbia (or other same caliber colleges) double major grads? In other words does the dual degree give you an edge or not especially that it is granted by GS?
Sorry for the many questions and thank you again 
@DualDegreeSeeker Great questions, I’m curious to see what the answers will be! I can answer your last one, as my friend who is currently in his first year in Reims said that employers value this program much more than the normal Columbia program.
@vossari Thanks for the info. It is reassuring to hear that the dual degree is highly valued. Lets hope to be accepted first
@AllisonNelson I only applied to Columbia. Good luck on Tuesday!
@AllisonNelson I also applied to the UBC one and my interview is on Thursday. Good luck!
@DualDegreeSeeker Thanks! If I don’t get into the Dual BA with Columbia, I will really consider that program, should I be fortunate enough to get accepted.
@ilikenetflix Which campus did you apply to? I applied to the Reims campus (I applied to Le Havre for the Columbia Dual BA). Also, have you been doing much to prepare? The interview seems much more comprehensive and intimidating than that of the Columbia program! By the way, assuming you’re American, you should pat yourself on the back from getting an interview! Most of the interview spots went to Canadian students; all of the other American students I talked to who applied to the Dual Degree Program with UBC were rejected.
It was quite difficult finding more information about the program with UBC, as there weren’t any active discussions I could find online for it, unlike for the Columbia program. So I’m really curious to hear about another applicant to the program!
@AllisonNelson I applied to Reims as well. I haven’t done much preparation and I’m freaking out tbh. I know what you mean, I’ve been scouting all over the internet for the past month and came up with nothing about the UBC program. Would you mind telling me how yours went when you’re done? And you should pat yourself on the back for getting an interview too!
@ilikenetflix @allisonarlette Hi. I applied to the Columbia DualBA program, but a friend of mine recently had her interview for the UBC program, so I guess I could share some of her advices with you. She applied to Menton campus.
First she read an article from NYTime about Egypt sentencing students for insulting Islam. She said it wasn’t long but had some technical terms that she didn’t understand(we’re Chinese, so probably you shouldn’t worry too much about language). She had 30min to herself to read and prepare, then gave a presentation about the content in 10 min. Then her 3 interviewers asked about 10 questions ranging from religion, human rights, theocracy, all relevant to the article. No questions about the program itself or the typical US college questions.
So I guess the UBC program focuses more on your analytical skills and understanding of current affair, especially your region of focus. Hope this is useful and good luck to your interviews!!
@ilikenetflix Yeah, I will! I’ve mostly been following current events and also studying modern European history with textbooks and stuff, since I don’t take any European history classes. Also the public speaking teacher at my school gave me a lot of pointers, though that probably won’t make a huge difference.
I’m nervous about being able to present for ten minutes, and I’m also nervous about them asking me questions I can’t answer!
@HectoraB Thank you for your input! That’s pretty much all I know about what to expect!
I’m having my interview online tomorrow during the school day (I was not even close to any of the interview places, and the time they gave me was not even in the same time zone, lol).
@ilikenetflix Had my interview this afternoon! I think it went pretty well! I felt very good about it. It really was SUCH a relief, because now I have nothing else to worry about, and all I have to do is wait. I won’t tell you what my article is about, because likely we will have the same topic. But it should be fine, as long as you’ve been closely following current events as was suggested in the interview invitation email. Seriously, the presentation and interview were actually not nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be! The interviewers were both very nice and seemed to respond positively; I think the Reims representative is the same one that held interviews at Columbia that another person mentioned, and she is a kind woman who smiles a lot.
They said we could hear back as early as Friday, as we happened to be at the end of the interview cycle. They said they would be making the first round of decisions on Friday. So make what you will of that!
@AllisonNelson Thank you for the info! It really helped ease my nerves. I just had my interview this morning and I thought it went pretty well. Now is just the waiting game.
@ilikenetflix No problem! Glad I helped. It’s such a relief that I have nothing else to do for college - no interviews or anything - although the waiting is a bit stressful, haha. I’m trying not to think about it.
Did they tell you any more about when we should hear back by?
@AllisonNelson same same, I tell myself not to think about it too but I just cant help it, haha.
They told me pretty much the same thing they told you, the Sciences Po representative said that they have an admission meeting every month so the first round of decisions happen today and there should be another round next month.
@ilikenetflix Okay, good to know. I actually just got home from a UBC information session in Washington DC. They let me know we should hear back in two weeks. I don’t know if you’ve visited UBC or been to an information session, but I personally liked it so much that I’m seriously considering going there if I’m not admitted to either of the dual-degree programs with Sciences Po.
I believe some stats had been posted here before, but I would still like to ask if anyone knows any general stats for this program. What’s the average acceptance rate? How many students are accepted each year? And how many are accepted after interviews (if you happen to know how many are invited to interview that would be a fun fact to know, but not essential)? I’m just really curious to know (and of course try and play my own guessing game of chances)! I’ve done extensive research and haven’t been able to find much, so any info would be much appreciated
@vossari I asked at my interview how do they see the program in the future: growing or scaling back? Columbia admissions officer answered that they didn’t think it will be as popular, the interest and number of apps have exceeded their “wildest wildest expectations.” They are currently running at maximum capacity just under 200 students in the program for years 1 and 2 combined. Patrick Martinez had said they accepted 95 students in total last year for the 3 campuses (with Menton having the smallest cohort bc it is the smallest campus) and half of them were from US applicants. They received 1000 apps last year which puts the acceptance rate at 9.5%. They are expecting more applicants this year so the rate will definitely drop bc they cap it at just under 200 total for both years 1 and 2. So year 1 class would be maximum at 100 students. I heard, no official stats, that they interview about 15-17% of the applicants and from those they accept about 60% (75% in the past when the number of applicants was less). I am dying to know.
@DualDegreeSeeker Those statistics are reassuring, especially about 60% of those who were interviewed being accepted. I’m also dying of anticipation. But honestly, I’m convinced I won’t be one of those 60% 
I just want to hear back so I can move on with my life! Next Friday cannot come soon enough
Question: So will the decision for Sciences Po-Columbia Dual BA come out this week or next week? Any speculations?
@janevyl I think it’s supposed to be Friday next week