GS Welcomes the Spring 2014 Entering Class

Peter J. Awn, GS Dean, and Tom Harford, GS Dean of Students, addressed the assembly of nontraditional students—those who have had a break of one year or more in their undergraduate educational careers.

In the days following New Student Orientation, the new matriculates participated in extended GS-focused and University-wide events including a speed-meeting social, educational financing presentations, alumni-student connections, neighborhood walks, and ice skating at Rockefeller Center.

Overview of the Spring 2014 Entering Class

Summary

The School of General Studies continues to be the most diverse undergraduate college in the Ivy League. The presence of GS students in the Columbia classroom enables the University, already one of the most ethnically diverse undergraduate bodies in the Ivy League, to define diversity on much broader terms—a truly global diversity of socio-economic background, age, life and career experience, and perspective.

• 27% of the incoming students are international students.
   
• 31% of the incoming students are first generation college students.
   
• 33% of the incoming students are Pell Grant-eligible.
   
• 23% of the incoming students are U.S. military veterans. 

Enrollment

• 162 total new undergraduate students
   
• Born in Harbin, China, one new GS student began learning how to program computers in fifth grade and later went on to found the tech startups Ambition and OnSwipe. He is interested in studying neuroscience and behavior or psychology at GS.
   
• Born in Los Angeles, Cal., one new GS student is a professional actress and dancer who recently starred on the ABC Family show Bunheads. She is interested in majoring in women’s studies and human rights at GS.
   
• Born in Pompton Plains, N.J., one new GS student is a recently retired 12-year veteran of the NBA. He is interested in studying sociology or creative writing at GS.
   
• Born in New York City and raised in Australia and New Jersey, one GS student owns and operates The Heights, Amir’s, and Samad Gourmet, all here in Morningside Heights. He is interested in majoring in Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies at GS.  

Demographics

• Age range: 18 to 50 years old
   
• Women: 39.5%
   
• Men: 60.5%
   
• Marital status: 14% of new students are married
   
• Dependents: 7% of new students have children
   
• U.S. residents hail from 24 states

Citizenship

• 27% of the incoming students are international students (44 of 162)
   
• 23 foreign countries are represented
   
• New international students come from around the world: from as close as Mexico, to as distant as Mali, and Macau to India, Israel, and Iran

Educational Paths

• Second B.A. students: 4%
   
• First-generation college students: 31%
   
• Educational Break: At least one person has a 27-year break in their educational path.
   
• Entering Columbia with transfer credits: 92%      

Occupations

This year’s class includes: a former NBA player, professional dancers, actors and musicians, small-business owners, yoga instructors, startup founders, IT professionals, a journalist, a taxi driver, a barber, and a gymnastics coach, among others.

We are also pleased to welcome 45 new students who have served in the armed forces in either the U.S. or their own countries.

• US Military: 38 (16–Marine Corps, 12–Army,  4–Navy, 6–Air Force ); 35 new students are expected to be supported by the Yellow Ribbon Program
• Foreign Armed Forces: 7 (4–Israeli Defense Forces, 3–Republic of Korea Armed Forces)

GS students’ life paths and experiences are as varied as humanity itself. They have only two things in common: a desire for a liberal arts education and the ability to thrive academically in a demanding program. They have made a conscious choice to pursue a Columbia liberal arts education, and it will change their lives.