Hi! I am currently a first year student at Barnard College. My original first choice was Columbia College. I was thinking of applying again as a transfer student. Does anyone have experience with this or advice about this? Additionally, when applying as a transfer student, is it advised that I use the same application material (like common app essay), or start from scratch?
Thanks!
That is a tough transfer- both schools know that students try to use Barnard as a back door in to Columbia. The usual thing about transfers is making the case that the new school meets some academic need in a way that the old school can’t. Given the links between Barnard and Columbia that is going to be rather tricky.
If you previously applied to Columbia, you absolutely need new essays. I would think you probably need new essays regardless though.
If you didn’t make it into Columbia previously why would you use the same essays?
Just curious, why?
I’m curious as well. What resources does Columbia College have that are not available to a Barnard student?
^^^The name
Barnard students can take any class at Columbia College. Therefore, the only legitimate reason accepted by Ivy League universities (they offer something your college doesn’t), doesn’t exist.
In other words: don’t bother.
I’m not sure that “both schools know that students try to use Barnard as a back door in to Columbia”. Though I have heard this mentioned in CC threads, I have been unable to confirm this elsewhere.
That said, do tell that is available at Columbia that isn’t at Barnard.
Lastly, are you aware that “Barnard students get a Columbia University diploma”
http://barnard.edu/frequently-asked-questions-8
“The only difference between Barnard and Columbia College diplomas is that the Barnard diplomas include the Barnard College seal.”
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/diploma/history.html
There are always a few students who successfully transfer from Barnard to Columbia. It’s not easy, of course – your application has to be strong. But if you can put together a strong application, then why not?
As far as the whole Barnard-Columbia issue people are referring to, I don’t believe that Columbia cares about that. I don’t believe the Columbia AdCom will view your application with extra favor nor with extra scrutiny because you are applying out of Barnard. It would be no different than if you applied out of Smith or Wellesley. Assuming the rest of your application is strong, then your motivation is actually stronger than students from those schools since you are better able to expound on why you wish to transfer.
It would be a “tough transfer” as someone stated. But it would be tough because transfer is tough in general, not because you are applying from Barnard.
@MYOS1634
Not true. Columbia Univ. is unique in that it is probably the only university in the world to practice the “core curriculums”. The “core curriculums” are set of classes that studies the masterpieces of western times (music, art, philosophy, literature). It is an extremely rigorous liberal arts sequence in which many who have taken it come to appreciate (though people in the sequence not as much as it’s not always fun to read 300~500 pages a week + even a 12~14 page essay for just 1 class when you have 4 to 5 other classes with a work study and an extracurricular activity).
Unfortunately, although in “theory” Barnard students can take those courses, quite honestly, the chance of being fortunate to enroll in these classes are like the chance of getting accepted to Columbia Univ right out of high school (pretty much none).
So no, many of Columbia University’s great undergraduate liberal art courses in which Columbia takes tremendous pride in is more or less shut out for students in Barnard.
That said, I did see some Barnard transfer into Columbia (like 1 student).
Anyways, other than certain classes being out of reach for Barnard students (many of which are Columbia’s greatest prides in undergraduate courses for its “rigour”), the only real thing Barnard are out of is:
- Free laundry system.
- Better financial aid.
- Better brand name -.- (though you will end up getting a Columbia diploma so ehh … plus, no one in Columbia cares whether you go to Barnard or not so…and I’m sure you know this cause you are experiencing it right now!)
- Better housing <3
- For the adventures!
That said, apply to Columbia. Who knows!
Free laundry system is a life saver. Honestly, hahaha
oh and…
“Additionally, when applying as a transfer student, is it advised that I use the same application material (like common app essay), or start from scratch?”
You will be making a new Common App account and writing DIFFERENT essays. Probably of why Columbia. Your essay has to be more mature ofc (cause now you know what you want out of college) and be very convincing of why Columbia College while also showing that while Barnard was a phenomenal experience for you, you await for more. .< >
Also, transfer apps are much harder than college apps. Good luck with getting your grades from the registrar, asking 2 professors AND an advisor for recommendations, etc. (and persuading them you aren’t really transferring for prestige )
@collegemom3717 The “backdoor” assertion is nonsense. It is utterly irrelevant and will not factor in any decision.
In the case of a student applying to transfer from Barnard to Columbia, you will need compelling academic reasons since you already have access to the resources of both Barnard and Columbia College, can pursue a Columbia or Barnard major, and your diploma will come from Columbia University… The big difference is Core and so you could say you want to transfer to take Columbia’s Core. You’d need to show how essential this is.
Arguing about Columbia having better financial aid also isn’t a good idea, since Columbia does not guarantee financial aid to transfer students and, moreover, the only major difference is that Columbia doesn’t include loans for low income students. So that is unlikely to impress the admissions committee. You could wind up with less aid.
One other thing. You MUST have the support of your Barnard adviser and should speak to a Barnard Dean. This is clearly stated in the transfer admission policy. Columbia will contact Barnard, so if you don’t do so, you will have a problem. And of course Columbia will know that about your previous application and will know why they didn’t offer you admission to begin with.
From experience I can say that it is essential that your transfer request is strongly supported by your Barnard adviser and Freshman Dean. Barnard/Columbia (and vice versa) form special cases. Ditto transfers from General Studies.