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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. 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
$65,640
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
92%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Learn some important data about admission policy and requirements at Columbia University School of General Studies.
According to the most recent data, this school 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
23% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 10% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 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 freshman 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 are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is May 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. 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 outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
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 institution stands at 92%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Columbia University School of General Studies in 2021 was 28,114.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 66% for that year. There was a total of 2,234 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 600 international students. The school reported to have a total of 401 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 9,639 male and 12,106 female full-time students in 2021, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Columbia University School of General Studies.
This school had 229 Asian students and 110 Afro-American students in 2021. 251 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 92 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 44 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. 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
Wondering about tuition at Columbia University School of General Studies? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $65,640 in 2021. Columbia University School of General Studies is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2021 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,670.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to set aside about $1,250 for books and supplies during their time at Columbia University School of General Studies.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Columbia University School of General Studies was $20,628 in 2021.
| Tuition | $ 65,640 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,628 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,250 |
| Total Expense | $ 87,518 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Columbia University School of General Studies.
According to the most recent data, 17 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $42,954.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
1,067 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Columbia University School of General Studies is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,073. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like 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.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Columbia University School of General Studies was 6:1: that means 6 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 3,270 teachers at this school. Out of that number, there were 1,939 male and 1,328 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Columbia University School of General Studies: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about students' life at Columbia University School of General Studies.
It has a campus size of 36 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 500 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 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. Interested 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 has a number of services crucial for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has 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 a great asset 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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According to the latest information, the tuition for Columbia University School of General Studies is 65,640 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, 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.