<p>Thanks B2 and MC! I really appreciate the it. </p>
<p>I totally understand about the essays. As far as the D’s and F are concerned, they don’t count against my GPA because I retook all of the classes and received A’s. Then I petitioned to count the higher grades, which is a pretty easy process at the CC level. I know that GS seems to be very forgiving in the acceptance process, but do they accept the GPA that I currently have at my CC b/c of the “academic forgiveness” deal, or will my GPA be significantly lower? I was considering USC, but they don’t accept “counting the higher grades”. They count all grades toward GPA, so getting into USC would have been nearly impossible. I’m hoping that GS (which I would have chosen over USC in a heartbeat anyway) is as forgiving as I think they are. </p>
<p>Also, I left HS sophomore year, so I don’t have SATs or ACTs. I do have my GED test scores (which I’ll have officially sent in soon). I missed only a couple of questions on the entire thing, which isn’t an incredible achievement, but I think it could only help. </p>
<p>James-
It seems as though GS takes a very holistic and individualized approach to admissions and there’s not likely a specific cut-off GPA for admittance. So even if they do use the D and F grades when calculating your cumulative GPA (as opposed to how your CC calculates it), I do think that they’ll take your retaking of those courses into consideration and that would probably weigh heavily in your favor. Anyway, it sounds like you’re doing really well academically and have really pushed yourself to overcome you challenges. I would certainly recommend applying!</p>
<p>You’ll have to take either the SAT or Columbia’s General Studies Admissions Exam (“GSAE”), which is sort of like the SAT without the math section.</p>
<p>FYI: the odds of getting university housing go down exponentially every semester. So, if you don’t apply for it in your very first term, don’t expect to get it.</p>
<p>Anyone call the gs admissions office and find them to be extremely rude and even condescending? So as an admitted student I called admissions to try and discuss a few personal concerns unique to my circumstances. Before I had a chance to finish my first sentence I was rudely interrupted and shot down as she asked “why would you need to do that…?” I was appalled and really kind of speechless. The lady made me feel bad as though I had done something wrong. She continued to assert herself as if trying to probe deeper into my issue instead of just hearing me out. I did not even get a chance to put anything into context before she just attacked me.<br>
Is this how New Yorkers are? Yet her accent was similar to a Texan. I am so turned off after being treated like this. This isn’t the first time someone has been rude but today was definitely the worse. The morale must be really low there. I think the people working the phones are a bunch of CC work study elitist jerks who think they are better than us. I’ve never had someone speak to me that aggressively and condescending. I felt like sh** afterwards. If I would have had more time on my lunch break I would have spoken to her manager. Nobody should be treated like this. I’m just glad that I deferred my admission to Wharton last year so I have other options. To make matters worse, the financial aid package is an abysmal disgust. They have no right to treat General Studies admits and students as second class citizens of the university. We should not tolerate this!</p>
<p>I was really excited when I got in but all of this anti-GS sentiment is really taking its toll on me. Don’t know what the point of all of this discrimination vs. GS is. The professors and the academic community obviously do not care and wouldn’t view a GS student inferior to a CC/SEAS student if they have the same grades. Same courses, same professors, same grades = same quality of education, same aptitude. The degree is SUPPOSED to be different. All undergrad schools within the same institution will have a different degree. CC is the oldest college in CU and has pays homage to its ancient traditions by conferring a latin degree. On the other hand, GS a brand new school (in Comparison to CC) has an english degree. It would be just weird for a school created in the 21st century to confer a latin degree. I can understand the desire that some GS student want a latin degree–because it will show to all the haters out there that their education/degree is just as valuable as a CC degree and will end the prejudice. If the degrees and transcripts were identical there would be no more prejudice. However, it really makes no sense for two distinct schools from the same university to confer perfectly identical degrees. While the format should be similar, they are not meant to be replicas of each other. For example UPenn school of nursing will have a different degree from Wharton while NYU Stern degree will look differently from Arts & Sciences, that is pretty standard, the point is that the degree is from an undergraduate school of Columbia University, not from a continuing education program or some random student out-reach courses. I feel that some people have such a burning desire to keep the opportunities they are blessed with exclusive to themselves that they are willing to say anything to belitte anything that gives other access into this restricted prestigious world. Such thinking is reminiscent of the elitism surrounding the resistance to equal voting rights in the U.S. Remember the elitist propaganda and demeaning remarks that were thrown at women and African Americans when they were seeking equality and inclusion. The privileged elite were loath to let anyone else share their special status (the right to vote). Seems that some of these CU kids who killed themselves during high school to get into CC want to keep Columbia as exclusive as possible and not share the benefits of an ivy league education with anyone else.</p>
<p>I’d just like to say once and for all that the GS people are the nicest college admissions folks I’ve ever spoken to. They’ve always been enormously supportive, responsive, and have never been anything but helpful. I’ve called the office too many times (more than 15) and every time I’ve spoken with them they’ve been cheery and efficient. I have no clue who all the ■■■■■■ on this forum are calling or for what reasons when they elicit the responses they’ve ranted about here.</p>
<p>I’m doing the Jan. 4 APS. Drink one in my absence. :/</p>
<p>GTW, I concur. I have HOUNDED the admissions office since before my application was even submitted, and have continued to do so every step of the way. They have been incredibly accommodating, pleasant and responsive. Quite honestly, so far they’ve been the coolest academic administration I’ve ever dealt with.</p>
<p>Giuli, if you’re not able to complete the fin. aid planned enrollment form (the URL is in the admissions packet), I would just email or call the GS Fin. Aid office:
(212) 854-2772
gs<em>financial</em><a href=“mailto:aid@columbia.edu”>aid@columbia.edu</a></p>
<p>I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the G/S office. They’ve answered EVERY single one of my neurotic emails within hours and have been very helpful. </p>
<p>As for all the CC vs. GS flamewar/■■■■■■■■ absurdity and other manifestations of internet disinhibition syndrome, I just don’t care. There are far greater things in life to be concerned with than noize on teh interwebz.</p>
<p>Say, who was it that said they were able to activate their UNI? I think it was you, MC? Could you let us all know how long from your acceptance submission it took before you could activate it? I’ve been trying the past few days (to no avail) because it’s one of the necessary fields for the Yellow Ribbon Program application.</p>
<p>And I’m seconding BoolaBoola flamewar comment. Honestly, I’m more proud that I’m GS than I think I would be if I were a traditional student because the program reflects my attitude regarding education. I’ll wear those letters on my heart with haughty disdain for all those who warned me against deviating from the path society expected of me.</p>
<p>“I’ll wear those letters on my heart with haughty disdain for all those who warned me against deviating from the path society expected of me.” -GTW</p>
<p>As far as timing:
11/4: call received
11/12: packet received
11/15: acceptance reply and deposit mailed (I’m in NYC, so they received it the next day, I’m sure)
11/19: UNI activated</p>
<p>I had a missed call today from an unknown number. I listened to the voicemail and it was the GS admissions office with “positive” news guys. Do you think that means what I think that means? I haven’t been asked to do a phone interview yet. Could that be it? They’re not answering now. Will have to try back tomorrow…</p>
<p>Glad to hear all of you have had such peachy experiences with those who answer the phones at admissions. But you have no clue the circumstances i’m facing in order to make it a reality to attend. </p>
<p>To the vets out there, namely “Goestowashington,” first of all thank you for your service to our country. But seriously dude, you are set as a vet through the Yellow Ribbon plan and the GI bill, etc. And rightly so! You have earned it and very much deserve it! But with all due respect, don’t assume just because your experiences have been smooth sailing that others are too. That would be an unfortunate fallacy for you and others to make. If I had a full ride too I would have nothing to complain about either. But i’m not hating, you earned it!</p>
<p>I don’t appreciate being called a ■■■■■ or flaming, etc. Look, i’m happy and thrilled to be admitted. In many ways it is a dream come true and something I could never even fathom growing up and coming from where I did. But for me, being admitted is only the first step in being able to attend CU. There are many barriers that GS falls short on still in order to make it possible for people like myself to attend. So please learn the art of empathy and humble yourselves before God humbles you!</p>
<p>Also, I want to make it clear that I don’t believe CC has anything over GS. Its a beautiful thing that nontraditional people like us have the opportunity to pursue an Ivy league education. I just think that GS falls short in some critical aspects such as financial aid and some other nuances that kind of defeat its purpose. Nevertheless, it is what it is and I am grateful for the opportunity. In the long run, its probably worth the debt. Finally, I am not going to let one particular bad experience on the phone derail my goal of attending GS. However, my point is I hope it was just that(one bad experience) because I never want to feel that way ever again for simply asking a question. Anway, enough said!!</p>
<p>You’re right, I do have it easy. Honestly, I question whether or not I deserve all of this when it comes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program—I spent the majority of my time deployed, but primarily to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief projects, never to combat and I’ve never felt that my life was in imminent danger in the service of my country. I’ve been given a gift and I plan to use it to the best of my ability and someday return the great favor to my country through further service.</p>
<p>Still, my experience with the admissions office has so far been no different due to my veteran status than any other applicant. I’ve spoken with the same people, and have not so much as dialed the veteran’s affairs office yet, so I think it’s unfair to dismiss my experience based on that status.</p>
<p>Also, anybody applying for GS should know if they’ve done their homework that financial aid is a major concern and shortfall in the program. That doesn’t make it okay, but at least it shouldn’t come as a shock. If it weren’t for the GI Bill, Columbia would have been a pipe dream and I probably would have just applied to the best state school I could afford. Trust me, I know what it’s like to have economic barriers. But so far in my life, with luck and dedication, I’ve been able to overcome them somehow. I know you can do the same. Good luck in your endeavors and I hope your experience with the program improves.</p>
<p>Congrats to all of you that have heard the good news about getting in. I know the inadequacy of financial aid will be a problem for some of you, but the administration is trying to change that. Part of the problem comes from the fact that GS doesn’t have an established donor base like CC does. In fact, it’s only recently that GS has started trying to do what CC has successfully been doing for a long time now as far as fund raising goes. GS just doesn’t have some of the multi-millionaire/billionaire alumnus that CC does.</p>