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1. What is this, exactly?

2. What is the degree worth?

3. Is it similarly hard to get in?

4. The Website was rather cagey and, well, general. Is it sorta like "loser" Columbia?

By Sydney47 (Sydney47) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

Welcome to the Website of the School of General Studies (GS), Columbia University's college for returning and nontraditional students.

there you go

By Bananabean (Bananabean) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 12:46 pm: Edit

it's for people returning to college---they do not admit, like, 18-year olds entering college for the first time. there's also no such thing as a "loser" school...be nice.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 12:51 pm: Edit

Sydney: Thank you very little. Try reading next time.

Bananabean: Sorry. I meant "loser" not so much in a personally pejorative sense but rather to convey a concept with as few words as possible. I don't want to offend anyone, really. What I'd like to know is

1. What is this, exactly?

2. What is the degree worth?

3. Is it similarly hard to get in?

By Gcl24 (Gcl24) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 01:15 pm: Edit

Try checking the admissions website. They should have a section dedicated to the general studies program

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 01:26 pm: Edit

Yes, I know. I looked, but thanks.

I am looking for less "canned" information, if anyone has any. There is a paucity of statistical info on their institutional Web site.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:57 pm: Edit

None of you smarties know anything?

By Sydney47 (Sydney47) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:42 pm: Edit

Excuse me for trying to help, I won't bother next time.

If it's really that important for you to find out, call them up and ask. However, I wouldn't suggest being as rude to them as you were to me.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:59 pm: Edit

"Welcome to the Website of the School of General Studies (GS), Columbia University's college for returning and nontraditional students.

there you go"

If that isn't a snotty reply to an honest question, I don't know what is, Dana.

Look up passive-agressive, and stop pretending you were trying to be helpful.

Telling me to use the phone is equally helpful, by the way; have you ever considered giving advice professionally? You really do have a knack for it.

By Evaspy (Evaspy) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:41 pm: Edit

i wouldn't have taken that as a snotty reply...

By Garland (Garland) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit

Personally, I think that starting your post with the "loser Columbia" remark set the tone for this thread, and everyone else just followed your lead. Not to mention your "but thanks" to the other OP, which had "not really" implied, speaking of passive-agressive.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:56 pm: Edit

Look. Let's all start over. I meant no offense in my original post, nor did I mean to imply "not really" in my later post. Message boards are highly interperative, to say the least. If Sydney claims to be genuine, then who am I to judge? The post seemed rather terse and flippant to me, but perhaps he/she was pressed for time, and was genuinely trying to be of assistance.

So, I'll start: For what it is worth to anyone and everyone, I apologize.

Does anyone know anything (more than what is on the Columbia Web site) about the school? I plan to read the brochures when they arrive, but, let's face it, a brochure is a brochure and is no substitute for unbiased opinion. That's why I'm asking you folks here.

Thanks for listening.

By Dday2004 (Dday2004) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 05:04 pm: Edit

wow, this is a hilariously aggressive thread. don't know much about the GSP. i could probably get as much information as you could (looking online, calling them, etc.) sorry.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 05:27 pm: Edit

Tell me about it!

Thanks for posting .

(NOTE: None of the preceeding was meant in any way but as a friendly thank you; no sarcasm, ill will, snottiness, nothing like that at all.) The smiley face is actually smiling out of gratitude and is not hiding impotent rage or malicious intent. I swear.

By Hnbui (Hnbui) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 03:18 pm: Edit

noodleman,


i asked about this sometime ago too. From my understanding, an individual right out of highschool can not enter this program. It is for nontraditional students; ie. a father trying to go back to college and get a degreee, etc. It is not like NYU's GSP or Boston University's College of General studies, where and individual after completeing two years will be automatically transfer to the college or arts and science, or whatever college you originally applied to.

I hope that helps.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 10:44 am: Edit

Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!

That's what I was looking for. Bless you.

By Hnbui (Hnbui) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 01:18 pm: Edit

yeah. you're welcome.

I know how you feel. Alot of people on this board are just there to tick you off. it's only once in a while do you get some good advice....

BTW if you are looking for a backdoor into an ivy, Harvard also has an extension school that you might want to check out.

------------------------------------------
my stats:
http://www.prstats.com/display.php?user=hnbui

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 06:23 pm: Edit

Honestly, I'd prefer a straight transfer, but I'm not sure given my stats; (by the way, I'm non-trad (35) but I'd be attending full-time just like all the whippersnappers.)

Transferring from Community College! (Hah!)

//HS
Stuyvesant ~ 3.0 (17 years ago)

//CC
GPA 4.0 (63 Credits)

//SAT
In 1985 (Hah! again; is that a trip or what?) 780V 630M

Full-Time Marketing Director; adoptive father of a 22-month old; full-time student.

//Honors stuff
President's List all semesters
PTK
Outstanding Bio Student 2002-2003
Outstanding Psych Student 2003-2004

//ECs
Work with homeless, homeless children ~ 5years
Teach sunday school
Various church-related committees
Choir soloist
Phi Theta Kappa

//Intangibles
Really good essays. Truly. Yes, I realize everyone and their dog thinks they can write like Hemingway.

Three letters of recommendation, each saying a variant of the following:

1. that I am the best student they have ever taught (in 9, 12, 15 years, respectively)
2. Great critical thinker, natural leader, that sort of stuff
3. Probably working on a higher level than much of the faculty

Kind of embarrassingly good letters, actually. I'm waiting for them to ask ME for a favor, now.

I must admit I do feel funny posting my quasi-lame statistics after seeing some of the lists on these boards from kids half my age, each of whom seems to be on the brink of curing cancer while training for the Olympics and winning hot-dog-eating competitions. Oh well. At least I can stop worrying about melanoma and they'll have gas from all the sauerkraut.

By Wutdeh (Wutdeh) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 04:13 am: Edit

noodleman. That is so cool! good luck.

By Homehill (Homehill) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:05 am: Edit

I know of a girl who was admitted to Columbia General Studies four years ago straight from High School. Her GPA and SATs were not so hot. She is originally from Russia, but went through the schools here beginning in the third grade. According to her, you are somewhat limited as to the courses you are permitted to take. She did not transfer into the regular Columbia program (perhaps she couldn't), and after she graduated went back to St. Petersburg in Russia, where she is going for the equivalent of a MBA. Perhaps this doesn't totally answer your questions, but it is at least a jig saw piece not found on the Columbia website.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:07 am: Edit

.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:08 am: Edit

Thanks! I'd have been a lot cooler if I'd finished all this stuff up a long time ago, but that's very sweet of you to say.

Good luck to you, too!

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Monday, March 29, 2004 - 10:10 am: Edit

Thanks a lot, Homehill. I don't know if I'd like to be limited. That sounds rather frustrating.

I really appreciate the info!

By Smhop (Smhop) on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 01:05 am: Edit

To the OP, did you apply? did you get in? if you SAT is older than 8 years, you have to retake the sat for GS at columbia.. did you do this? How did you fare, if you dont mind my asking?

I am interested in GS also.