Columbia University School of General Studies
New York, NY
Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) is an educational division within Columbia University that is dedicated exclusively to non-traditional undergraduate students. Founded in 1947, GS provides a unique educational experience tailored to accommodate students who have had a break in their education, have various life experiences, or have pursued unconventional paths prior to seeking a college degree. GS offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, granting Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, and strives to foster a diverse and inclusive academic environment.
The School of General Studies at Columbia University welcomes a diverse range of students, with an average age of around 27. GS students come from a variety of backgrounds, including military veterans, single parents, international students, and those who have experienced career changes. The school aims to provide a supportive environment for these students, offering extensive resources such as academic advising, career counseling, and internship opportunities to help them successfully navigate their academic journey and transition into meaningful careers.
With a faculty comprised of esteemed scholars, writers, and experts in their respective fields, GS students have access to a broad range of academic disciplines and courses. They have the opportunity to study alongside undergraduates from Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, enriching their educational experience. GS also offers unique programs such as the Joint Dual Degree Program with Sciences Po in France and the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program, which prepares students for medical school.
In conclusion, Columbia University School of General Studies caters to non-traditional students by providing a supportive and inclusive learning community. With its prestigious faculty, diverse student body, and comprehensive resources, it offers a rigorous liberal arts education to students from various backgrounds who wish to pursue their academic and career goals. GS aims to facilitate a transformative educational experience that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary for success in their chosen fields.
Located in New York, NY and set in an urban environment, Columbia University School of General Studies is a private comprehensive higher education institution. It has a campus size of 36 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 29%. The freshman retention rate at Columbia University School of General Studies is 94% and the six-year graduation rate is 92%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is May 15. The transfer application deadline is May 15.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Columbia University School of General Studies.
Quick Facts
2,234
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
29%
Acceptance Rate
$60,420
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
92%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Learn some essential info about admission policy and requirements at Columbia University School of General Studies.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 149 in 2021. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 23% and ACT scores 10%. 94% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 6% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 87.5 and 12.5 between 24-29.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by May 15. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is May 15.
29%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2021, the freshman retention rate for Columbia University School of General Studies was 94%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 92%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2021, the institution had an enrollment of 28,114 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 66% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,234, 600 of which were foreign students. 401 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 9,639 male and 12,106 female full-time students in 2021.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2021, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 229, while the number of Black American students was 110. 251 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 92 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 44 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Columbia University School of General Studies that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Columbia University School of General Studies estimated tuition price.
Tuition in 2021 was $60,420 for full-time domestic students. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students.
| Tuition | $ 60,420 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,420 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Columbia University School of General Studies, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 17 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $42,954 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,067 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia University School of General Studies is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 1,073. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $4,990,833, and state $176,790. The students of Columbia University School of General Studies received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $32,139,346, and external in the amount of $11,846,174.
$12,297
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 80 students overall (including freshmen) at Columbia University School of General Studies in 2021. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 2 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $2,673,855. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $3,082,479 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2021, this ratio at Columbia University School of General Studies was 6:1. That means that there were 6 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 3,270. Out of that number, there were 1,939 men and 1,328 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Columbia University School of General Studies is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Columbia University School of General Studies.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 500. This number includes sororities and fraternities. If you are interested in music, you can join the Columbia University School of General Studies band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Columbia University School of General Studies publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Columbia University School of General Studies provides a number of services important for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of Columbia University School of General Studies.
All in all, campus life at Columbia University School of General Studies is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Columbia University School of General Studies.
Career Counselling
At Columbia University School of General Studies, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Columbia University School of General Studies is located in New York, NY.
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Columbia University School of General Studies offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Columbia University School of General Studies is 60,420 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Columbia University School of General Studies is 29%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Columbia University School of General Studies is 94%.
Contact Information
Columbia University School of General Studies,
535 W 116th Street
New York, NY
10027
212 854-1754
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.