<p>I am a foreign student who is not sure whether or not to apply to Columbia early decision mainly because i do not know how i will cope with the core. So this is the relevant information relating to grades:
32 ACT - 34 English and Math, 31 reading and 29 Science
IB Y2 - 4x 7s in hls and an sl, but 2 5s in the languages (English and French) so 38 or so without bonus points
I have a ton of ECAs and am not worried about recommendations of that such.
I am not a sure in, but if i do get accepted early, will i be able to cope with the core. i have heard the core is extremely writing and english intensive, and i myself prefer the sciences (doing bio and chem hl :P). I have not had a solid foundation in the english language especially with my horrible teachers and i barely scrapped a 5 - i think i was on the borderline.
My main concern is that if i am not to good at english and writing essays in particular, will i have trouble coping with the core. i do complete the assigned reading and have no trouble putting in the work, i actually plan on taking english writing courses over the summer before uni, but do you think it will be hard to pull of a good grade? i have looked over some of the possible courses i would have to take and they really look interesting but i think it is the english component that is preventing me from applying. other than that i absolutely love the school as i have visited.
Also do you know about any grade inflation in columbia? from what i have read it is "easy" to pull of a B but As are unheard of. Again these are jut posts so they could be lying but i want to hear from you guys - do you think i can cope with the core? Is it as hard as everyone makes it out to be? Is the workload crazy?
(Btw i plan to eventually major in finance or business)</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time out of your day and helping me with my dilemma.
Look forward to reading your responses
Look forward to the responses.</p>
<p>I generally like to allay people’s fears, but both semesters of Lit Hum, both semesters of Civ, Art Hum, and Music Hum will each demand significant reading and writing. It’s hard to avoid essays even in the parts of the Core you control. Kant infuriates people every year, and even Lit Hum has its share of difficult poetry–Aeschylus, for example. </p>
<p>I found that the Core helped my GPA. But if you think it will hurt, I would pick a good school with less of a verbal fetish.</p>
<p>Thanks lud for your advice. How many hours would you say you spend on the homework? i know it is different for everyone but was it really time consuming? were there others like me, who’s strong suit is not english but did they still manage to cope? Also just on a sidenote based on my grades and act, do you think i have a chance? i heard english and math are weighted the most but i am applying early so what do you think of my chances?
Once again thank you soo much for your response</p>
<p>I graduated a couple years ago, but I think Lit Hum generally took a day and a half on the weekends (or just half a day if the reading was light). Same with Civ. Art Hum and Music Hum are much lighter. It’s totally manageable, really, and there’s plenty of external help (writing centers, professors, friends on your floor), so if you really like Columbia it’s no big deal. My only point was that, unlike at some schools, you’ll be required to do a lot of reading and writing.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses lud and i am really torn as of this moment because the early decision deadline is fast approaching. Could you possibly approximate how many pages on a loaded day (a lot of reading)? Also do you find that most people are in the same boat? the more sciency people so to speak, did they also initially have trouble with the reading and writing and get over it? Also are most people there super humans (like geniously were an average kid might feel unbelonging?) If i am being honest i am totally in love with columbia and NYC and this is off my campus tour but the only daunting thing is the core, specifically the writing. do you find the analysis hard and was it hard to get a good grade or is it just a lot of reading that makes it time consuming?
Again Lud i cannot express how much your response means to me because you have eased some of my worries. Thank you soo much</p>
<p>No, most students in the College are not ditsy savants. “Ordinary people” belong just fine.</p>
<p>If you can think and write, the Core is not impenetrable. I’m not being facetious: show that you can think and write about the assigned texts and about what your peers say in class, and you should do fine in Lit Hum, Civ, and Global Core classes.</p>
<p>If the money is not a huge concern, ED and don’t look back. Spending 18-22 in NYC and at Columbia is probably the best decision you’ll ever make. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about your ability to keep up. If you can get in, you’ll be able to manage. Does the idea of the core interest you? Are you prepared to work a little outside your comfort zone a few days per week? If so, you’ll be totally fine.</p>
<p>The core is actually really interesting in the sense that it will make me better rounded person and i actually am intrigued by some of the courses that are part of the core. for example art and music humanities, i think, are meant for people to enjoy rather than being exclusively for learning. In terms of reading, dont you choose what to read in terms of literature humanities? can you avoid taking poetry for example? I have been trying to start reading more often to further prepare myself but do you guys have any recommendation to help me prepare? i am definitely applying early decision to Columbia and if i am lucky enough to get in, god willing, i do believe that i will love being there.
I cannot express my gratitude for the responses as it has forced me to re-evaluate my decision - and i feel confident with it.
Thank you guys once again.</p>