by Jeanice Brad, photographed by Erica Jackson
When Marguerite looks back at her time at Columbia, the graduating senior sees it as a life-changing journey. "It was an exciting opportunity to return [to school] after seven years. I was excited to take Columbia classes with other Columbia students. I was most surprised at the fact that GS wasn't 'continuing education,' it was just education." After struggling for four years as a receptionist, the trained opera singer decided, "I didn't want to be answering phones for the rest of my life."
Marguerite chose GS and Columbia because she wanted to stay in New York City and take advantage of a "really good academic environment." She realized that a degree from Columbia is "marketable." She discovered that, once people found out she attends Columbia they "...[looked at and treated me] differently. It's been challenging adjusting to people's perceptions about me."
Though Marguerite doesn’t feel isolated from the rest of the Columbia community as a GS student, she does acknowledge that it’s impossible not to feel different socially. "Being different hasn't kept me from being involved. I have CC and Barnard friends who say, 'When I grow up, I want to be just like you!'" Marguerite's idea of "involved" is an understatement. She's the Editor-in-Chief of the GS literary magazine, The Observer, as well as the Senior committee's Social Chair. When she arrived on campus she served as an unofficial advisor for the Formal co-chair. Last year, she served as the GSSC Social Chair and won the Spirit Award. She will be presented with a King's Crown award for leadership this year.
If there's anything Marguerite would like to see changed about GS it would be how many GSers may view themselves. "Stop viewing yourselves as second class citizens," she says, asserting that GS students are selected to be here because they deserve to be. She'd also like to see a change in the General Studies Student Council's sponsorship policies. "The GSSC funds events, but not programs. Many GS students don't necessarily [only] want all of the pizza they can eat. The council should fund plays, literary magazines, film showings...programming is just as important as events."
Marguerite says she has been a witness to GS make huge strides in becoming an active and incorporated presence in the larger community. "Each year more people are aware of us and each year it gets more and more amazing."
The Literature-Writing major will graduate this year and begin The New School's Master of Fine Arts Writing program in the fall. "The writing program here is amazing. It has really prepared me for the MFA program." In fact, she credits her entire experience here with making her "more confident. I'm not afraid to walk up to people and tell them what I do. I've found a new direction in my career." She's already recommended the GS program to four people — one is a current GS student and the other three are in the application process. "Everyone here is so supportive. This is one of the top environments in the world. It's expensive but the investment is worth it."
What advice would Marguerite give to those she's recommended GS to? "Once you get adjusted to the workload, start getting involved on campus. It's important for those who are nervous about [campus life]. Sports, politics, music, other groups — get involved. Make your time here more rewarding."
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