<p>I am currently a community college student in California who served in the Marines from 2006-2010. Before I joined the Corps I attended Texas A&M University and received very low grades. Now a year in to community college I have been getting straights As and am a active member of our honor society. If I continue to get a 4.0 every semester, by the spring of 2012 my GPA should be up to 3.4.</p>
<p>My question is, with such a low GPA would Columbia(GS) even consider admitting me?</p>
<p>GS knows and understand that the students interested in their program are non-traditional. Many of us (most, even?) had poor academic periods, either in high school or old college work. GS wants you to prove that you’ve changed. Recent course work showing that you’re doing very well is key. If you write a killer essay and decent test scores, I think you’d have a decent shot.</p>
<p>Just prove that you aren’t the student who did poorly at Texas A&M. (And really, how bad was it if you’ve managed to pull it up to a 3.4 overall?)</p>
<p>I took twenty-two credits last semester and received a 4.0 for that semester, and the semester before that, I took 18. All were rigorous courses. Adcoms seem to value the intensity of course loads since why I did so well during those semesters was brought up during my interview.</p>
<p>For example, if you were doing a crap job before in algebra , then you decided to go on to Calculus I and ace that, the adcoms will see this and will dismiss your poorer grades in algebra, as long as you explain why you werent so hot in algebra on your essay somewhere. </p>
<p>In other words, if you sucked it up on the basic courses, and have room to take more “advanced” courses, I would take those courses and do the best you can to receive favorable markings ( i.e straight A’s). If you already took some of the more advanced courses that your community college provides, then retaking some courses will show you have initiative and dedication. Dont forget lots of extra curriculars in leadership activities if you can.</p>
<p>I also hope you are a liberal arts student. Because those students are looked on favorably by Columbia.</p>
<p>I’d look at it as follows: You had a terrible time in college, joined the military and learned how to apply yourself. You then proved it via college.</p>
<p>Show how awesome you are now in your essay and you really don’t have anything to worry about. Plenty of vets with highly contrasting pre- and post-military grades going to GS.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the comments! At Texas A&M I had a 1.16 GPA. I have retaken most of my classes that I have failed at A&M with the exception of a couple upper division classes.</p>
<p>My intended major is philosophy. </p>
<p>Thanks again for all the information.</p>