Columbia University School of General Studies
The School of General Studies, Columbia University (GS) is a liberal arts college and one of the undergraduate colleges of Columbia University, situated on the university's main campus in Morningside Heights, New York City.[2] GS is known primarily for its traditional B.A. program for non-traditional students (those who have had an academic break of at least one year or are pursuing dual degrees). GS students make up almost 30% of the Columbia undergraduate population.
Motto
Lux in Tenebris Lucet[1]
The light that shines in the darkness
1947
Lisa Rosen-Metsch
2,603 (Fall 2019)
Morningside Heights Campus,
urban, 36 acres (0.15 km2; 0.056 sq mi)
GS offers dual-degree programs with several leading universities around the world.[3] It offers dual degrees with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Sciences Po in France, Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, Tel Aviv University in Israel, and City University of Hong Kong.[3] It also offers the BA/MA Option with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences,[4] the Combined Plan and the MS Express program with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,[5][6] and five-year joint degrees with the School of International and Public Affairs.[7] GS offers the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, the oldest and largest program of its kind in the United States.[3]
Notable alumni include Nobel Prize winners Simon Kuznets, Baruj Benacerraf, and Louise Glück, as well as Isaac Asimov, J.D. Salinger, Amelia Earhart,[8][9] Leonard Cohen and Princess Firyal of Jordan.[10]
Admission[edit]
Admission to Columbia GS requires an online application, official high school (or GED) transcripts, SAT or ACT test scores within the past eight years or a score on the General Studies Admissions Examination,[28] an essay of 1,500-2,000 words, and two recommendation letters.[29] Interviews are conducted in person and over phone.
Dual degree programs[edit]
Joint Program with the Jewish Theological Seminary – Albert A. List College[edit]
Since 1954, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) and the School of General Studies have offered a joint degree program leading to a B.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from List College. Professor Lisa Rosen-Metsch, Dean of the School of General Studies, is an alumna of the Joint Program.
Dual BA with Sciences Po Paris[edit]
The Dual BA Program is a unique program in which undergraduate students earn two Bachelor of Arts degrees in four years from both Columbia University and Sciences Po, one of the most prestigious universities in France and Europe.[30] This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school, and is one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the nation.[31]
Students spend two years at one of four Sciences Po campuses in France (Le Havre, Menton, Poitiers, or Reims), each of which is devoted to a particular region of the world. At Sciences Po, undergraduates can pursue majors in political science, economics, law, finance, history, among others. After two years at Sciences Po, students matriculate at Columbia University, where they complete the Core Curriculum and one of over 70 majors offered at Columbia. Graduates of the program are guaranteed admission to a Sciences Po graduate program.[31]
Joint Bachelor's Degree with City University of Hong Kong[edit]
This program is open to top-ranked undergraduates enrolled at the City University of Hong Kong and allows graduates to receive two bachelor's degrees from the City University and Columbia in four years. Undergraduates spend their first two years at the City University and their final two years at Columbia, where they complete the Core Curriculum and choose one of 70 majors offered at Columbia.[32][33]
Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin[edit]
The Dual bachelor's degree Program with Trinity College Dublin is a unique program in which undergraduate students earn two Bachelor of Arts degrees in four years from both Columbia University and Trinity College Dublin. Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and is widely considered to be its most prestigious institution. This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school.[34]
Tel Aviv University and Columbia University Dual Degree Program[edit]
The Tel Aviv Columbia Dual Degree Program allows undergraduates to earn two bachelor's degrees over the course of four years. Students spend the first two years of their undergraduate careers at Tel Aviv and then spend their final two years at Columbia while completing the Core Curriculum and major. Tel Aviv University is considered to be one of Israel's leading and most prestigious institutions. This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school.[35] [36]
Combined Plan with the School of Engineering and Applied Science[edit]
GS students are eligible for competitive admission to the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) through the Columbia Combined Plan program, under the condition that they complete the necessary pre-engineering courses with a high GPA and obtain recommendations from 3 instructors. Students in the program receive a B.A. in a liberal arts discipline from GS and a B.S. in an engineering discipline from SEAS. Students may apply for the Combined Plan program in their junior (3-2 program) or senior (4-2) year of undergraduate study.