I’ve finished my first year at Occidental College, hoping to transfer after my junior year to study computer engineering at Columbia or Caltech. Those who are familiar with this program understands that it is difficult and most do not end up transferring. One of those reasons is the grade, but I feel confident that is not the biggest issue given my first year grades. The other requirements seem to be within reach, and completing this program is definitely on my radar. Note: Caltech is essentially impossible, as very few from my school transferred there.
However, I am also considering transferring to USC after 2 years, and completing my bachelor’s there.
I’m thinking long-term and would like to know the pros and cons of each path. For now, I am not keen on staying at Oxy, but am considering it.
Facts:
3.8 GPA
Great FA from Oxy, which costs ~70k
Location and years of study do not matter.
Computer Science, Computer Engineering Major
Thank you for reading and I’ll love to help chance you or give any other input on your threads.
Obviously, financial aid can be uncertain if you transfer.
You could always apply to USC and other schools in your second year for regular junior transfer; if you get admitted with enough financial aid, then you can decide whether to choose to transfer then, or stay for 3+2. In this case, transferring then would likely be preferable, since you would not have to risk the uncertainty of Columbia 3+2 admission and financial aid.
The Columbia transfer in the 3-2 is guaranteed if you hit the requirements. But fin aid determination there may be different from what you are getting at Oxy.
@ucbalumnus Right. That’s the safest option. I was just wondering if the prestige of Columbia is worth risking the admission and FA.
@PurpleTitan Yes! They are quite simple but definitely a challenge. I set a Net Price Calculator with Columbia to gauge what my FA and it is around what I am receiving from Oxy.
If you complete all the Combine Plan required classes by the end of sophomore year, you should know whether Columbia is likely or not by the time you have to decide on USC.
How do USC and other regular transfer schools’ net price calculator results look for you?
Remember that a regular transfer will likely involve fewer total years of college costs.
Also, note that Columbia’s 3+2 page states that it may not “meet need” for 3+2 transfers (in contrast to other transfers or frosh). If the Columbia net price calculator does not have an option for 3+2 transfers, ask Columbia financial aid directly what financial aid for 3+2 transfers will be like compared to the net price calculator. https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/combined-plan
@PurpleTitan I wish. It’s the classes I take junior year that will make or break my admission. Getting a B- automatically disqualifies you as an applicant. But then I’ll know for sure. I’m still going to apply to USC, even though I end up going to Columbia.
@ucbalumnus Thank you! The net price calculators are very similar to that of Oxy, and the costs are reasonable. I emailed Columbia about this as well, but they have not replied.
Different question: if my family earns under 60k, does Columbia provide for everything? I saw it on the page and they say “parents are not expected to contribute to the cost of attendance.” Can anyone shed light on this?
What that probably means is that the net price consists only of student loans and/or student work earnings expectations (including work-study, if any). But check on the 3+2 financial aid situation.