Columbia University in the City of New York Top Questions

If I could go back, I'd tell my 16 year old self to stay in high school, rather than drop out during Junior year. Although I received my GED, a lack of a high school diploma proved to be a hardship for me, as I was regulated to low-paying, menial jobs. Although it was always my goal to attend college, it seemed out of reach. Initially, I was only accepted to community college, which further impacted my learning opportunities. I couldn't always afford to take classes, so I worked hard and saved money until I could re-enroll full-time. Once I returned to college, I received excellent grades, then scholarships and then transferred to my dream school: Columbia. As a low-income, non-traditional student, I'll finally graduate in 2016, which is exactly 20 years after I started community college. I'll also be the first in my family to receive a degree, something I'm very proud of. From high school drop-out to the Ivy League, I'm proof that the path to higher education may not always be an easy one. However, if you focus on your goals, you'll always succeed!

You have to find this strength inside yourself and use it.

Read, read, read. And when you are done reading, write, write , write! It's not enough to attend college. You should be a competitive student due to the unpredictable world of work. Therefore, the more prepared you are before you get to college, the higher your chances will be to score high and land a job. The pre-work is just as key as the work you will execute in college.

"Places!" The world is your audience, you are the director, and there is no script to follow. This is what I wish to share with the next "actor" who stumbles onto that college campus stage with a pre-written script they are most certian will land them that perfecct job, perfect life, and perfect self. Whether an actor or not, in order to get the most out of college and life, one must look at the world as a stage and prepare themselves to play any and every part. The key to giving a riveting performance is to savor what inspires you, listen to your every dream, and not fear the unexpected. Inexplicable beauty and promise lie between structure and improvisation . When one is able to accept that a definitive path may not always lead to where you expected, it's the tool of improvisation that fosters the resilience needed to persevere. Lastly, though you will be asked to play many roles, some which may feel uncomfortably far removed from your true self, remember that it's just a costume and your just an actor and underneath it all, YOU are still there. "Lights, camera, action!"

I would evaluate carefully what I would like to being doing either for a career or a purpose in life. Then I would focus my efforts on reaching that goal as quickly as possible without allowing minor or major setbacks interfering in my striving toward that goal.

The best piece of advice I could give myself would be to “finish strong.” Towards the end of high school, I had already been accepted to college, and, as many high school seniors in my same situation have done, I was not exerting full effort towards my studies. I didn't understand that attending school was a privilege; it is rare in life for learning to be one’s primary responsibility. So, it would behoove me to take advantage of my time in a learning environment. Now is an ideal time for me to return to the academic environment of business school, to be surrounded by like-minded and collaborative students who wish to share their unique experiences and perspectives. My work experience has provided me with important technical skills and a useful knowledge base spanning corporate finance, accounting, valuation and investment management, amongst other areas of focus. Returning to school will allow me to focus on specific areas to round out my skill set. I plan to take advantage of the opportunity ahead of me, and to fully dedicate myself to my studies while I am enrolled.

I would prepare myself to cultural exchange. I would make sure to know that I know how to adapt to people from different cultural backgrounds and mindsets. I would strenghten my experience through extra-curiccular activities. I would attempt to engage in as many creative initiatives as possible, in order to strenghten my creative thinking and problem-solving skills. I would travel. By whatever means available, I would discover new countries and cultures. Because this is what you do on a daily basis at Columbia University.

The predominant societal view prevails that college is the ultimate gateway to your career and future success. Consequently, the overarching goal to get in and out quick with the degree with the highest job prospects will loom heavy over you. My greatest advice is to live free from this burden, and take the college expereince in its entirety, as a process. In this way, college will not only be a means to an end, it will be the "end" in itself. With this mentality, you will see that the real point of college is to grow as a person while you achieve your aspirations. During these next four years the smartest thing you can do is to soak each experience in, pursue every opportunity, be confident in who you are and make each day count. As you push yourself to become the best possible version of yourself, the things that seem to matter will fade away, while the questions you seek answers to, will naturally reveal themselves. In the end, you will be exactly where you need to be. Take a deep breath, trust the process, and enjoy every step of the way.

To imagine my ideal career and put all my efforts in order to succeed and to reach my desired life and fullfilling career.

Dear Denis, I know you are utterly confused right now. Having spent the first seventeen years of your life in a country where education is neglected by a corrupt government, you have not realized yet how hungry you have grown for knowledge and for the real challenges of learning. There is no reason to worry, however. You will soon leave Russia and start a new life in America where countless educational and other important opportunities will begin to unravel before you. When you decide to enroll in community college and then become insecure because you are in a foreign country speaking a foreign language, try to stay confident. Do not run away from your fears because, let me tell you, by finding the courage to face them, you will step upon a road that will lead you to an Ivy League college in New York City -- a dream you cannot even imagine right now! As your future self, I promise you, you will regret not having addressed your fears early on. You are capable of achieving your dreams. Never cease to believe in yourself.