<p>oh and one more thing: if there are any other GS students out there who transfered in from another university.....what was your gpa like and did you participate in alot of extra curricular activities?</p>
<p>at GS you graduate with a major. For example, I am planning to get my BA in economics. GS has people of all age ranges, but we are integrated with the other undergrad colleges (cc and seas) in our classes and opportunities for recruiting and extracurriculars. The one thing all GS students have in common is that they took off at least one year between high school and college. Sometimes this is not the case if the individual has a really pressing reason for attending columbia part-time. Myself, for example, only took one year to pursue ballet professionally before returning to college. I am also a full time student and plan on continuing full time status till I graduate and then--> law school! Hope this gives a better picture of the school.</p>
<p>horatiofitzg,</p>
<p>Yes, you actually do graduate with a major. Did you have a break in your education after high school? If so, you can speak about why you took that break. To work, volunteer, take care of family, military, etc. </p>
<p>If you didn't have a strong high school GPA, you can write that you enrolled in the university you're in in order to prepare your self for Columbia's rigorous education. Also explain why you want a rigorous education, especially noting why you want Columbia's.</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>a) I'm guessing the SGS falls under the "ivy-league" pride. if that makes any sense. (ie: if a normal undergrad comes up to you and asks you where do do you study, and you reply "school of general studies", is their reaction/expression, "oh, that's nice" or "oh, im better than you")
b) what does the diploma say?
c) horatiofitzg: what do you mean by "Do you actually graduate with a major or is it just a degree from the College of General Studies?" what's the difference? wouldn't the degree be a result of a major?</p>
<p>Jayk: Good luck with your SATs, but I feel your pain. I took them myself for my application since going to New York was out of the question (too cold being from Florida, ;-) ). Unfortunately, it was kind of rushed since I received an unexpected mobilization and got thrown back into active duty for deployment. :O Im still trying to apply for the fall, and, god willing, Ill hopefully defer during the duration of my deployment. </p>
<p>Im curious as to how that would affect my application. Realistically, I may not be the same person as I once was. So if they did accept me, it would be a bit of a gamble in some way.</p>
<p>Vanitas and rcl268,</p>
<p>Thankyou so much for the advice! It was really helpful. I actually didn't take a break from school. I'm currently in my freshman year at another university and i'm applying as a transfer. This is why i'm finding it hard to explain why i'm a "non traditional" student. I was thinking that i'd explain why my outlook on life might be considered non traditional. Is that stupid?</p>
<p>horatiofitzg, </p>
<p>"I was thinking that i'd explain why my outlook on life might be considered non traditional." They do not want to hear this--it's not what they mean by nontraditional. Your best bet is to say that you want to study part-time (you can change your status after being accepted) and want a rigorous ivy league education in NYC--the capital of the world. Explain why you want to study part-time (volunteer work, payed work, etc)--VERY important. You might want to imply that part-time study is not merely a want, but a necessity. </p>
<p>What state do you live in?</p>
<p>Hmm...good to know. Thanks! I live in Florida and i'm studying at the University of Florida.</p>
<p>horatiofitzg-</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but seeing as you have not taken a 1+ year break in your education, I don't believe you are eligible to apply to GS.</p>
<p>jay-</p>
<p>Good luck on the SATs; I'll be taking the ACTs this weekend. I hope to see you at Amherst next Fall.</p>
<p>I am submitted my application today to GS. I am worried about the financials of it all, the school is expensive and NYC is even more so.</p>
<p>I just looked into Amhurst, they seem to have amazing financial aid. Ugh, i can't stomach having to start an entirely new application again.....and there's is VERY thorough! Mass is a great state to be in school though...</p>
<p>^
I've visited Amherst and Columbia. I liked Amherst a bit more than Columbia, but to each there own. I guess you could say the two are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their approach to an undergrad education. Amherst has an open curriculum while Columbia is known for its extensive Core.</p>
<p>Amherst DOES have amazing financial aid and Columbia GS can't even compete in that area. </p>
<p>I'm feeling pretty good about my chances at both schools, to be honest. GS doesn't seem THAT selective and they seem to favor veterans. Plus, my grades are strong and I think my app was well put together. Amherst, on the other hand, is very selective, but they have zero veterans on campus. I actually had a meeting with the assistant dean of transfer admissions and he basically said that, so far, I'm the only qualified veteran that has applied in a while. Some alumni just started a large veterans fund and they need to find folks that can actually draw out of that pool of money for the Fall 2009 semester. If I get into Amherst it will be partly because I was the right applicant at the right time.</p>
<p>Whatever, though, it's about time my veteran status actually gets me somewhere in the civilian world.</p>
<p>"Whatever, though, it's about time my veteran status actually gets me somewhere in the civilian world." </p>
<p>Yes! Good luck.</p>
<p>Has anyone looked at Northwestern? They have an "adult" admissions thing too.. it's all the same program classes, etc, you just specificy you are "adult" if you have been out of school for a number of years</p>
<p>I am thinking of applying to UPENN's LPS program. I live and work in Philly, and the setup fits my current situation. However, I'm skeptical about the quality of the program and the diploma. I guess I see acceptance standards and quality as directly proportionate. It sounds like a "too good to be true" scam, when I'm told I can get an Ivy League education and diploma for 1/2 price and less than perfect scores and GPA.</p>
<p>Does anyone out there have any UPENN LPS specific experiences they'd be willing to share?</p>
<p>horatiofitzg - As others have said, you need to have that year off. We had a 17 year old when I was at GS, but he'd had a year off. Unless you're applying to the joint program w/JTS, I don't think you're eligible for GS. You could apply to CC as a transfer, but my understanding is that they only have a very few spots for transfers.</p>
<p>As for what the degree says, here's mine (I don't know how the CC degree reads, other than that it's in Latin):</p>
<p>THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK (It's all caps, but what an eyesore!)
To all persons to whom these presents may come greeting
Be it known that
COLUMBI A. INSIDER
Having completed the studies and satisfied the requirements
for the degree of
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Has accordingly been admitted to that degree with all the
rights privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining in (SIC, no commas)
witness whereof we have caused our corporate seal to be here
affixed in the city of New York on the Xth Day of Month in the Year 200_.</p>
<p>Below that is the main Columbia seal (not the GS seal) on the left and on the right, the signature of the Dean of GS and below that on the right, the signature of the president (not original, of course...4000 grads a year!)</p>
<p>I just noticed for the first time that my name and "bachelor of arts" are not raised, but the text above "bachelor of arts" IS raised and textured. The text below it is flat, just like the name and BA. I'm guessing that's because those are the parts that are customized.</p>
<p>Just an update:</p>
<p>Received a call from Columbia University today letting me know I was accepted into the GS program. Pretty crazy considering the ED deadline was three days ago. Anyway, for any veterans who were wondering, the woman I spoke to told me that Columbia GS is indeed taking part in the Yellow Ribbon program which means free school for the duration of the post 9/11 bill.</p>
<p>That information was helpful and is going to influence my decision on whether I attend or not.</p>
<p>Hey jaykoblives,</p>
<p>I too got a call from Admissions and was accepted! Congrats to you! Very exciting stuff. I just hope I get a good scholarship amount cause that is going to weigh heavily.</p>
<p>I have to wait to hear from all the other schools I've applied to make the best decisions, but I'm very excited about Columbia.</p>
<p>Congratulations to the both of you!</p>
<p>jaykoblives and ben8jam, congrads on your acceptance. If you dont mind me asking the both of you, what were your academic achievements prior to being accepted?</p>
<p>I am a non-traditional student very interested in applying, but am concerned that my poor high school grades, and lack of college will set me back. I am confident I can do well at columbia, but am concerned they will look at my high school transcript as a joke.</p>
<p>imfrickenfoofy,</p>
<p>Don't let your HS transcript deter you. I graduated HS with a <2.0 GPA, and was accepted after only one semester of college. GS understands HS transcripts don't always reflect ability.</p>