The "back door" way to Grad School admissions

<p>I am talking about the "ace the first 9 credits as a non-degree student and apply after" method of getting into grad school when you did not have the undergrad credentials from the start.</p>

<p>Would the Ivys allow this?</p>

<p>I read on Columbia's graduate SEAS programs site that even completing a graduate certificate (which is like 12 of the 30 credits of a M.S. program) will not guarantee acceptance into the M.S. program.</p>

<p>Note: I ask because that was how I got into grad school at Univ of Wisconsin.</p>

<p>This is interesting – I’ve never heard of this. How many universities have this policy?</p>

<p>The policy is not usually posted. You have to contact Graduate Admissions of the school and kind of “ask around” to see if they have such a policy. I know American University in Washington DC has this policy, so I inquired when I started at Univ of Wisconsin. The Dean was OK with it after reviewing my undergrad credentials but I had a 4.0 in 12 credits (4 courses) of graduate work.</p>

<p>I also had 10+ years of experience and employer tuition pre-paid checks in hand too…lol</p>