Sup,
I’m currently a freshman at a major state school with a top 5 engineering program, majoring in nuclear engineering, math and Russian, but I would like (a) a better-rounded education and (b) to return to my hometown of NYC. I’m trying to transfer to Columbia SEAS, but there’s one problem…
My first semester GPA was a 2.5. I’m headed for a 3.6 this semester, but obviously that’s still a no-go for this year. What I’m planning on doing is getting 4.0s (know it’s possible, not to sound cocky but I’ve adjusted) both semesters of sophomore year and then applying.
My extracurriculars include some research in nuclear engineering (to continue next year) and study abroad for Russian. In addition I will most likely have my name on a publication by then.
I took the hardest classes possible this year and just wasn’t ready for them first semester. I’m doing fine in similar classes now (currently in 19 credits).
My HS GPA was 93/100 and my standardized test scores follow:
ACT: 36
SAT: 2310
SAT II Math: 800
SAT II Physics: 800
AP Physics C: 5 Mech / 5 E&M
AP Calc BC: 5
Is this doable or is my first semester going to sink me?
Well, if you run the math, 2.5/3.6/4.0/4.0 = 3.5 GPA which is the minimum for a transfer app according to the website… However, it also says, “Due to the timing of the transfer process, we are generally unable to consider grades earned in the second semester of the year of application …” So with only 3 semesters you’d have a 3.36, not high enough. Sorry to bring on the bad news.
I’d say try anyway.
Your grades might a con, but if you are able to display a strong enough reason to go to Columbia, I am sure the grades won’t be too bad a news.
Odds of getting in as a transfer even with amazing grades are unlikely and your first semester grades won’t help your case – but nobody will stop you from giving it a try.
I know your question is from April, but I have some options that might still work for you, if you’re willing to consider them.
If NYC is your primary goal, also apply to other colleges that are good for engineering that are in or near NYC. You may not get into Columbia, so if it really is NYC that you want, applying to other schools is a good idea. The problem, of course, is that to be honest, there aren’t that many great engineering schools in NYC; so I don’t know if you’d be willing to look just outside the city in, say, NJ…
For Columbia; if it’s not too late to take summer classes at college, I’d suggest you take 1-2 of them per summer term - at some schools, there’s still one more summer term, if they offer a summer 3. Be wise in your selection, since summer classes at most schools are accelerated. But this would give you an extra “term”, as it were, of good grades to show Columbia for when you apply. Another option, if your school offers it, is to take classes over the winter break. Columbia’s transfer deadline is March 1st, so they should see the grades you get in your winter break classes - again, giving you one more “term” of good grades to show them when you apply.