Chance for Columbia?

Transfer Students
1

<p>Current Standing: 1st sem freshman at U of Rochester
Major: Physics, Psychology...maybe Creative Writing</p>

<p>College GPA: First Semester: 3.5-3.7, 21 credits or 5 courses, two of which are honors (I've been dealing with clinical depression that has gotten worse but I should be on medication soon).</p>

<p>College Extracurriculars: Pride Network (Assistant, Executive Board Member In-Training), Journal of Undergraduate Research (Layout Staff, Content Editor), Student Association of Vegetarian and Vegan Youth, Students for a Democratic Society</p>

<p>High School GPA: 96.25 UW
SAT: 740CR, 780M, 800W
ACT: 35CR, 35M, 35W, 36Sci
Rank: 9/361</p>

<p>High School Extracurriculars: Model UN (VP-10, no advisor afterwards), Gay-Straight Alliance (Founder/President-12), Speech and Debate (10-12), Library Volunteers (9-11, no advisor afterwards), Yearbook (Assitant Editor - 9 & 10), Magazine Club (Layout & Design), Science Olympiad (12).</p>

<p>High School Awards: National Merit Finalist, Presidential Scholars Candidate, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, Kodak Young Leaders Award, Speech and Debate League Champion (10, 12), Model UN Outstanding Delegate, Science Olympiad Regionals - Physics 1st.</p>

<p>For an essay I might write about my experience helping lead the marriage equality protest in front of the Monroe County Office Building while waving an American flag.</p>

<p>I can get a good recommendation from my PSY 101 TA.
One reason why I want to transfer is to radically change my environment. Columbia is uptown with easy access to the city, has more people overall, and has good programs in all my interests. Here I can have fun but every weekend seems lackluster. Plus, the campus is too small and the buildings too short.
As for the GPA, I understand that it's right on the brink.
If I personally explain my problems with clinical depression, insomnia, and my parents and/or get a letter from my therapist (a clinical psych grad student) will Columbia overlook my low GPA or be unduly concerned? Should I get a letter from my adviser? Though I'm not sure about creative writing, should I submit samples?</p>

2

<p>nice to see you are a fellow sds’er</p>

<p>however (sorry if i sound harsh)</p>

<p>a 3.5-3.7 your first semester in college will, i think, even considering your circumstances, shoot down any real chance at getting into columbia next year…columbia’s transfer acceptance rate last year was less than 2%, less than 1 out of 50 got in…a mediocre gpa from a fairly reputable, but not incredible college like rochester is going to make you a less than competitive applicant…if they’re looking through, and rejecting, stacks of applicants who have 3.9-4.0’s, somebody who has a 3.5 in their only semester at college will not look good and they will certainly not overlook this no matter the unfortunate circumstances…if i were you, i were you i would try to improve your gpa over the next couple of years and apply for junior year with a better gpa…you have solid ec’s, but in order to get into columbia you will need something that will really make you stand out… your sat’s are fantastic btw</p>

<p>gl</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your honesty and advice. It is very helpful.</p>

4

<p>i transferred to columbia this year. my GPA was a lot higher and its probably why i somehow survived the sub 2% admit field. </p>

<p>its tough, a friend of mine didnt get in last year w/ a 3.8+ from a top 20. you really are going to need a 3.7 (at least) to be remotely competitive and really hit the soft factors as well. </p>

<p>good luck, but id look into other schools. georgetown takes a lot of transfers (23%) and is academically similar to columbia in terms of offerings. or, if you want new york city, there’s always NYU (27%)</p>