GS Welcomes Fall 2021 Incoming Students
In March 2020, Columbia University shifted to a remote format in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, new students were welcomed virtually and the Columbia community remained connected through virtual courses, programming, and support services. Eighteen months later, the School of General Studies was able to welcome the entire community back to campus for a robust week of programming at Fall 2021 New Student Orientation.
The New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is a week of exciting ceremonies and gatherings that introduce new and returning students to life at Columbia. From Monday, August 30 to Sunday, September 5, Columbia faculty, staff, and students celebrated the long-awaited return to campus with a full schedule of academic and social events.
Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch kicked off the week with the New Student Welcome on Monday, August 30. Reflecting on the numerous challenges of the past year and a half, she expressed her excitement of being back on campus and her hopes for the upcoming academic year.
“We are facing serious, complex challenges and you all will be part of the future solutions,” she said.
Dean Rosen-Metsch’s remarks were followed by those of President Lee C. Bollinger, who expressed his vision of the intellectual community as well as Columbia’s place amongst other universities and global institutions. He acknowledged the dedication of the students and faculty and gave advice to the incoming class on how to approach their time at Columbia.
“There will be plenty of time in life to become an expert in something—plenty of time in which to specialize and get ahead—but I can assure you there will in all likelihood only be this precious time in which to experience the comprehensive quest for knowledge that defines the distinctive academic world,” he said.
Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Amy Hungerford emphasized the importance of learning through, and from, interruptions to our everyday lives and our studies. New students also heard remarks from Dean of Students Marlyn Delva, Dean of the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program James Colgrove, and Dean of Academic Affairs Victoria Rosner, as well as representatives from the GS Alumni Association (GSAA), GS Student Council (GSSC), Postbac Premed Student Council (PPSC), and the Joint Program with List College of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS).
We are facing serious, complex challenges and you all will be part of the future solutions.
In addition to New Student Orientation, attended by all new GS students, special programming geared toward particular populations—including International Students Orientation, Veterans and NROTC Orientation, and International Dual Degree Program Orientation—was held throughout the week to introduce students to helpful resources available to them at Columbia and meet peers with similar interests and backgrounds.
There will be plenty of time in life to become an expert in something—plenty of time in which to specialize and get ahead—but I can assure you there will in all likelihood only be this precious time in which to experience the comprehensive quest for knowledge that defines the distinctive academic world.
Other events held throughout Orientation week provided students with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with life on campus and in New York City. The New Student Dinner and Ice Cream Social gave students a chance to meet their peers and NSOP Orientation Leaders, and to explore campus for the first time in over a year.
A highlight of Orientation week was watching the New York Mets play the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field, allowing students, accompanied by their NSOP Orientation Leaders, to get to know the subway system and enjoy a night off campus with their classmates. Finally, students celebrated the start of the semester with Performance Night, an event showcasing 18 of Columbia’s incredible dance companies, acapella groups, musical ensembles, and comedy troupes.
An Overview of the Fall 2021 Entering Class
GS welcomed over 900 new students to Columbia’s campus this fall, and this year’s incoming class represents the determination and courage that sets GS students apart. Coming from all over the world with an astounding variety of life experiences and world views, GS students are an integral part of the Columbia community and their unique skills help facilitate an engaging and challenging learning environment.
- 195 incoming students are international students
- 185 incoming students are first-generation college students
- 119 incoming students are military veterans
In addition to military veterans, this year’s class includes professional ballet dancers, librarians, writers, athletes, models, musicians, teachers, designers, gardeners, construction workers, journalists, engineers, entrepreneurs, consultants, investment bankers, retail workers, real estate agents, workers in the nonprofit, government, hospitality, and tech sectors, and public health advocates.
Demographics
Age Range: 17 - 68
Students who are married: 91
Students with children: 19
42 states represented: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin
Citizenship
34 countries represented: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Panama, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Vietnam