Would I be considered for Columbia GS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I've been thinking about Columbia GS in my college options. Would I stand a chance?</p>

<p>Graduated HS in 2006 with a 3.5 GPA, played a few sports throughout and was Captain of the Cross-Country team. No other real ECs in HS besides sports. No AP or Honors classes. Enlisted in the USMC (Military experience summary: Joined as infantry, went on 1st deployment to Fallujah and 2nd to the northern Iraq-Syria border. Cross-trained for 2nd with unit intelligence analysts to be part of a company intel cell. Have numerous individual awards, but highest is the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ((NAM)). Went through a leadership course.) Unfortunately I was in a position that did not allow me extra time to take college courses, so I've never taken any. Honorable discharge in 2010 and took the SATs at that time. 510 Math and 580 Critical Reading.</p>

<p>I'm currently working in Federal Service (good job, just no room for advancement b/c I have no college education) in CA. I was recently given a perfect review (annual-type thing) there and I know my current manager would highly recommend me anywhere. I applied to a few colleges around where I live and am considering Community College, but then I heard about Columbia GS.</p>

<p>So would this be a serious option for me, or should I just forget about it? I may be taking a trip to NY this Winter and I would make plans to go to a Columbia tour and GS info session if I am considering applying.</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.</p>

<p>Oh, and I'm 23 years old in case no one did the math. I would plan to study full-time at Columbia GS.</p>

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<p>You should definitely look into applying to GS. I was also in the Marines and EAS’ed in Oct 2011. Applied to GS, was accepted and I’ll be starting classes in 2 weeks. </p>

<p>Make sure you have everything you need, such as VA Cert of Eligibility, and make sure you get it from the Buffalo, NY VA’s office, not any of the other ones or they’ll make you redo it. </p>

<p>You might have to take the SAT’s if you haven’t or it’s been six years since your last test. I think the earliest term you can apply to is Fall of 2012, which gives you plenty of time to prepare your application, take SAT’s, hear back from VA, etc. keep in mind you’ll need 2 recommendations, and also a strong essay about your time in the Corps, etc. </p>

<p>Hope that helped and good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks a ton, Josh2389. This has given me some hope then. That’s awesome that you were accepted there.</p>

<p>What do you mean Cert of Eligibility? I have my DD-214 and I have my VA certified letter to recieve my Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, but I filled out that app online through VONAPP or whatever on the VA website.</p>

<p>The SAT scores I mentioned (510 Math and 580 Critical Reading) were taken in June 2010 (<2 years from the time I would be applying to GS). Do you think those are strong enough for someone who hasn’t been in an actual academic setting in like 4+ years?</p>

<p>I will plan to have a letter of rec from one of my previous military officers (he wrote a letter of rec for me for the local colleges I applied to) and from my current employing manager who thinks very highly of me.</p>

<p>What type of things did you include in your essay that made you r military experience stand out? Are there interviews involved? Did you attend a Columbia tour or GS info session? I’m from California, but I am willing to go to NY this Winter to do a tour and session since they don’t have any regional sessions close enough to me before it’s time to apply.</p>

<p>Thank you soooo much for your help. It is extremely appreciated from the confused.</p>

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<p>The VA certified letter should be the same thing. It should be a couple pages and you should have about 3 copies I think. It should state that you’re 100% eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, and that you’re a veteran. Just make sure to look at the top of it to check where it was sent from. I did mine when I was still active duty stationed in Lejeune, and the certifying office was in Georgia. GS needs it to be from the Buffalo, NY office.</p>

<p>As far as I know, your SAT’s are still valid. They’re a bit low compared to the average accepted HS applications to CC, but I’m pretty sure that GS doesn’t focus so much on your high school GPA/SAT’s as much as the gap between high school and now. Considering that you were combat deployed and didn’t have time for school (same here), they’ll focus more on that. </p>

<p>As far as my essay, I pretty much covered all the time from when I left high school until I EAS’ed. I briefly explained what I did in high school, but mostly focused on why I joined the Corps, what I did during my time in (i.e. leadership, awards, etc), and what I wanted to accomplish at Columbia (i.e. future goals, study plans, etc.) Things I wouldn’t really talk about are like…how much you love NYC, because everyone knows how awesome NYC is, especially the admission people lol. Talk about how much you’ve matured, been put in tight spots, and remember to limit military jargon or confusing terms civilians wouldn’t understand. I would also mention the job you have now. </p>

<p>The letter of recs look solid. To be honest I completely forgot about them until 2 days before the application deadline and had to resort to a ret. MSgt friend of mine and my old CO. </p>

<p>I’m also from California but I applied when I was still in Lejeune. I never visited, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t. It’s an awesome campus. As far as interviews, I’ve heard of people getting interviewed, but I was personally not given one. They actually called me on a Friday afternoon and let me know lol, and I was mailed a FedEx package the week after.</p>

<p>All in all, go for it. GS is pretty military friendly, and in the last few years, Columbia’s MilVets has gotten a lot better than in the past.</p>

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<p>Ohhh, I did receive that letter and it says I am 100% eligible. However, it came from Muskogee Regional Office in Muskogee, OK. The back side of the last page explains the VA Educational Offices:
Central Region is St Louis, MO
Western Region is Muskogee, OK
Eastern Region is Buffalo, NY
Southern Region is Decatur, GA
I guess they want the Buffalo NY Regional Office to see the letter?</p>

<p>Great advice on the essay guidance. I would have a lot more to say about the military and my job now than I would have to say about HS.</p>

<p>I guess I’ll look forward to that tour and info session later on. Thank a lot for everything. Your insight has helped me out a lot.</p>

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<p>Yes, the Buffalo, NY office. I think its because they’re the ones paying you, etc. </p>

<p>Good luck and hopefully you’ll be attending in the fall semester! Remember that if you do get in, the school is in New York City. If you’re single like me, the $2800 MHA (bah basically) is more than enough to live comfortably. If you’re married or have kids, or both, you might want to start looking into part-time jobs since it is rather expensive to live here. Pack of cigs in LA costs about $5, $12 in New York lol.</p>

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<p>Well I am married, but no kids. My wife would definitely be looking for full-time work if we were in NY. On the bright side - I don’t smoke, so I would save $12-24/wk on cigs.</p>