Today I had a quick phone meeting with an admissions counselor at Columbia University's School of General Studies. It was a good call as it reinforced the fact that I might be a perfect candidate for this program. Which is very exciting.
For those not familiar with Columbia's School of General Studies, let me give you the brief overview.
Columbia University is made up of many 'schools', as most universities are. The three main schools at Columbia are: Columbia College (this is the standard Freshman applicant school), Barnard, and General Studies. The General Studies school was setup to meet the needs of 'non-traditional' and returning students. The application process places more emphasis on who you are and what you've done over the grades you received. Students who have been out of school for more then three years, ex military, or adults seeking a second bachelors degree are encouraged to apply to this program.
The nice thing about the General Studies school is that you are placed into the regular student body and take regular Columbia classes (not special adult or evening classes). There is no difference at all between the education you receive as a Columbia College student and a General Studies student. This is different from other 'returning student' programs at other Ivy League universities like Harvard and MIT. These schools have 'extension' classes (see Harvard's Extension School) that are totally separate from the main student body; classes are held at night and typically not by University professors. You still earn a Bachelors degree, but I don't believe the class work is anywhere near as challenging.
The actual physical degree you earn from the General Studies program is slightly different from the Columbia College program but the education is the same, and that's really what matters.
So back to the phone call. It was a great starting point. The admissions counselor informed me of two information sessions happening here in LA in October that I will be sure to attend. She was impressed with my work background, however, she did mention that my grades are on the low side. She recommended that I take some classes at Santa Monica Community College as a way to bolster my application.
Unfortunately, I can not take classes until the winter term, and those classes don't count for transfer credit, but they would still use the grades as part of my application. I will have to check SMC's classes schedule when it's posted in a few months and see what classes would be best. I am thinking of taking a Calculus refresher course as I know it's used in Economics and I'm sure my differentials and integrals are a little rusty.
For those not familiar with Columbia's School of General Studies, let me give you the brief overview.
Columbia University is made up of many 'schools', as most universities are. The three main schools at Columbia are: Columbia College (this is the standard Freshman applicant school), Barnard, and General Studies. The General Studies school was setup to meet the needs of 'non-traditional' and returning students. The application process places more emphasis on who you are and what you've done over the grades you received. Students who have been out of school for more then three years, ex military, or adults seeking a second bachelors degree are encouraged to apply to this program.
The nice thing about the General Studies school is that you are placed into the regular student body and take regular Columbia classes (not special adult or evening classes). There is no difference at all between the education you receive as a Columbia College student and a General Studies student. This is different from other 'returning student' programs at other Ivy League universities like Harvard and MIT. These schools have 'extension' classes (see Harvard's Extension School) that are totally separate from the main student body; classes are held at night and typically not by University professors. You still earn a Bachelors degree, but I don't believe the class work is anywhere near as challenging.
The actual physical degree you earn from the General Studies program is slightly different from the Columbia College program but the education is the same, and that's really what matters.
So back to the phone call. It was a great starting point. The admissions counselor informed me of two information sessions happening here in LA in October that I will be sure to attend. She was impressed with my work background, however, she did mention that my grades are on the low side. She recommended that I take some classes at Santa Monica Community College as a way to bolster my application.
Unfortunately, I can not take classes until the winter term, and those classes don't count for transfer credit, but they would still use the grades as part of my application. I will have to check SMC's classes schedule when it's posted in a few months and see what classes would be best. I am thinking of taking a Calculus refresher course as I know it's used in Economics and I'm sure my differentials and integrals are a little rusty.
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