Columbia School of General Studies - perception vs. reality?
Interested in any feedback from Columbia undergrads and alums - calling all CC/SEAS/GS/Barnard/JTS - about the perception vs. the reality of the Columbia School of General Studies - good, bad, inconsequential... Somewhat interested in feedback from people who at least know such people... Not super interested in feedback from people who don't actually know anything about GS, but who are nevertheless more than happy to post about it as though they do. :-) Bonus points for those who at least sound credible about CU and GS.
Attending GS is a big decision for a lot of reasons: beginning with money; secondly, transfer students (especially left-coasters) having to uproot; and third and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity cost of NOT attending a different school's program.
Me: GS student starting in the Fall, relocating, chose GS over UCLA and other Cali undergrad programs. Expecting to work hard and then be able to attend a top 20 MBA program on the other side of this.
from what i know, GS doesnt show on your transcript and as i said a buddy of mine landed both SA and FT fx trading from BAML from there
Actually, I've heard that the transcript does denote GS vs. CC vs. SEAS, etc. But all grads obtain degrees from Columbia University (not Columbia College, etc.). And nobody should be trying to hide the fact that they went to GS. Seems crazy that anyone would spend the same money, work for the same grades in the same classes as everyone else, and yet try to act like they have something to omit after they graduate. My point is algebraic in its simplicity: CU = CU = CU. Therefore, GS = CC = SEAS. Or am I wrong about how CU alums themselves view this?
And has your friend had anything to say about GS's reputation on the Street in general?
In my experience as a GS student (applying for work, talking to alumni, etc.) the name on the transcript matters FAR less than the name of the university. Most places don't even know enough to ask. And I agree with the previous comment: you really have nothing to omit. In fact, you probably have a great deal to gain by explaining why you were enrolled in GS, that is, why you didn't go right from high school through college in four years. Maybe you had to take classes part time. Maybe you took time off to work. Whatever. The most important things are your transcript and your resume. If they get you as far as the interview, then it's up to you to put the best possible face on your background. Anyway, AGE is likely a greater obstacle than GS (a lot of places won't want a junior analyst who's older than the associates), so putting the best shine on your accomplishments is that much more important.
As a great man at Deutsche Bank (not the Legend who is succeeding Ackermann though) once said, "anyone who can't get into Harvard shouldn't be working in finance"
so whether you go to CC, GS, or BC, it doesn't really matter. unless you rowed for Columbia, that might make a difference.
Columbia GS is a highly selective official undergraduate college of Columbia University along with CC and SEAS. Academically, CC and GS are one and the same. Students take the exact same classes, with the exact same faculty and receive the exact same degree. (Even their faculties merged in the 1990's.)
The GS acceptance rate is in the low 20's. That's more selective than schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, several colleges of Cornell, and many other elite colleges. This number is getting lower every year.
GS is a relatively new college, but its prestige is undeniable as its selectivity and demand are increasing exponentially.
Over 25%of undergrads at Columbia are GS students (including the post-bacs and dual degree students). They also have the highest average GPAs.
One of the only notable differences is that students at GS get academic scholarships rather than low income financial aid.
Uninformed people usually get it confused with Columbia's School of Continuing Education, the Harvard Extension equivalent.
How do people in finance view Columbia GS students? (Originally Posted: 04/23/2012)
I just wanted to get some opinions on whether there are opportunies for Columbia General Studies (GS) students in finance after graduation.
Good, bad, or indifferent...
GS is a relatively new college of Columbia, but its prestige is undeniable as its selectivity and demand have increased considerably. People know that it's an official college of Columbia and that you take the same classes and get the same degrees. What you do there is what's important.
I know plenty of GS students who've been recruited by BBs, so don't worry.
Columbia School of General Studies (Originally Posted: 11/01/2007)
Whats the deal with Columbia's school of GS? Does it get recruited by the street?
bump?
Not really.
Certainly not as well as CC or SEAS, but plenty of GS kids are recruiting for banking. They have access to all the events and the center for career education, just like everyone else. Also, tons of banks have special 'military veterans' events, and a huge portion of of GS kids are milvets.
many of my model friends go to general studies and recruiters love them.
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