Page Six has little love for Kelly:
Kelly Bensimon continues to push buttons. In addition to squabbling with Bethenny and talking about her modeling career, Bensimon is often heard touting her Ivy League education, from Columbia University.
But a source who attended Columbia snarked, "Kelly went to the Columbia extension college. Anyone can go there."
Bensimon's rep said, "Kelly went to Columbia University School of General Studies and graduated in 1998."
The General Studies program, according to its Web site, is "created specifically for returning and nontraditional students."
4 comments:
This is a comment I posted on another site, but it is still relevant to comments made above:
I'm a student attending Columbia University's School of General Studies. And after reading the comment posted by the supposed "Columbia University Grad" I feel the need to set the record straight. The School of General Studies, or GS as it is commonly referred to at Columbia, is one of three undergraduate degree-granting institutions at Columbia University. Those admitted to the School of General Studies are in every way apart of the traditional undergraduate experience at Columbia. They take the same courses and fulfill the same degree requirements as the traditional college students. They are able to participate in varsity sports, pledge for the various fraternities, and participate in any of the various clubs. The School of General Studies is not an extention school, nor does it offer watered down evening courses.
The admission standards for GS differ from that of Columbia College. And they differ for good reason. Columbia College is seeking traditional students - i.e. students recently graduating from high school. Whereas, GS is seeking students of non-traditional age and background. Those applying to GS have to submit the following:
1. High School Transcripts
2. College Transcripts
3. SAT results - or they can take the GS exam, which is similar to the verbal portion of the SAT.
4. Two recommendations are required.
5. An autobiographical essay.
6. A resume.
The admissions committee at GS seeks students that are well prepared for the rigorous course work they will encounter at Columbia. They seek interesting and talented adults that will add to the discussion in the classroom. The admissions committee "takes into account traditional measures of academic success such as test scores and high school grade point averages. The Admissions Committee will also make a determined effort to engage applicants in a dialogue designed to gauge their academic and intellectual capabilities. This dialogue, while not discounting traditional admissions criteria, encompasses a profile of work experiences, past academic accomplishments, personal achievements, and depth of commitment to a demanding program of study and the pursuit of excellence." I didn't find a minimum GPA requirement to apply to GS on their website, but it may be there. However, anyone applying with a 2.5 has little hope in getting an admission offer from GS. Now let's discuss the degree.
The degree they receive is, in fact, a degree from the Trustees of Columbia University, it is signed by the president of the University and the Dean of the School of General Studies.
The "Columbia University Grad" is obvious misinformed, especially when he/she suggests that Kelly didn't graduate from the UNIVERSITY that granted her the degree. Columbia granted her the degree. When Kelly argues she graduated from Columbia she is correct. She has every right to be proud of her IVY LEAGUE education. There are few institutions that are as humanistic as Columbia. And those that were admitted to Columbia by way of GS shouldn't, in any way, be made to feel inferior to those that were admitted by way of the College.
I understand people may not like Kelly. That's fine, but stop trying to tear her down. And for the Columbia University Grad, are you for real?
I undeerstand your irritation regarding the G.S program at Columbia but I'm pretty sure Ms. Bensimone did not have to work as hard as you and the alumni. She is not the brightest bulb in the box. Pretty sure she had tons of help to get that degree!!!!
I just DONT understand how such a disorganized, paranoid, and frantic person such as Kelly, could accomplish and achieve as much as she has. I understand the rigors involved in getting a Columbia degree, GS or not... but come on! The chick is batshit crazy!
I mean, you can chalk it up to editing, in order to make more drama. However, the way that she talks is completely without logic, class, or intelligence... all things that are associated with Columbia. In reality, my opinion of your esteemed institution has been ruined because it is associated with a woman who cannot make sense when she speaks.
If you want to be like Kelly and throw out a college name like she throws out celebrity names in addition to Columbia, then you are entitled to the same technicality. I met Jay-Z and I guess I can say we are friends now. The reason people are annoyed by this continual reference to a college is because there is really no need unless you are so insecure in your level of intellect that you have to throw out "I went to Columbia." You might get the same degree, but as previously referenced, anyone can get accepted especially if you are willing to pay their tuition making such a degree less prestigious. Therefore, there should be no need to flaunt a degree that should have an asterisk by it.
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