Chances of transferring to Columbia?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>SOME INFO:
I was an average B student in H.S. I graduated in 2007 but did not attend college till Spring 2009. I had no idea what I wanted to do and just went because my parents were pressuring me to go. I was there for three semesters and pretty much bull-****ted the whole time. I officially and unofficially withdrew from a majority of my classes and ended up having a GPA of 0.77 and only accumulated 3 credits in sociology at the CUNY school I attended. I left in spring 2010 before they could kick me out due to getting in a car accident. So it gave me an excuse to end the facade of going to school in front of my parents. During my time in the hospital and away from school I finally discovered an interest in programming and decided to major in Computer Science. </p>

<p>As soon as I could I transfered to kingsborough in their New Start program in Fall 2011. I stayed there for one semester taking math, bio and sociology courses since Student services from my last college advised me to not take any courses at kingsborough that I failed at Hunter because once I transfered back I would still have to retake them to get them expunged from my transcript. I maintained a 4.0 gpa and transfered back to Hunter. During the time I was not in school I worked my *** off brushing up on my math and took MIT OpenCourseware courses in Programming as well as bought the text book for Hunter College's "Intro to CS" course so I was able to test out of the intro course. I retook two of my failed courses this summer. Now I have a GPA of 3.83 and have accumulated 31 credits.</p>

<p>I am a volunteer at the brooklyn public library; I tutor and have set up a few fun creative activities at the public library mostly dealing with art. I was thinking about setting up some kind of workshop on Computer Science for elementary school kids at the library. </p>

<p>Spring 2009 - 2010: Attending Hunter (3 cr)
Fall 2010- Spring 2011: Not attending in school
Fall 2011: Kingsborough (10 cr)
Spring - Summer 2012: Hunter (18cr)</p>

<p>MY QUESTION IS HERE:
Is it possible for me to get into Columbia or NYU-Poly? Also Should I retake the SAT's for a better chance of being accepted? Also what kind of extracurriculars could I do to set me apart from applicants who have a better academic history?</p>

<p>NOTE: I cannot afford to go to Columbia or NYU-Poly so I would be looking for scholarships if I get in. I am a black woman majoring in computer science so I assume it wouldn't be too hard to find scholarships for unrepresented people in technology & Science like myself.</p>

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<p>Without your scores it is impossible to say whether you would be a viable applicant to Columbia College as a transfer student. And, for transfers I am not sure how much FA is available. Admissions to the College have become unbelievably competitive, with this year’s admit rate of 7.4%. Transfer admissions might even be more competitive, as there are so few spots available. Given the exceptionally low transfer admit rate, you can assume that you would be competing against students with really stellar stats for very few spots. Though, of course, stats AREN’T everything, as admissions are holistic. But because you haven’t posted all of yours stats (such as test scores), there is no way to really assess how you would compare with that applicant pool. </p>

<p>If your stats are not at that level – for reference, check the RD 16 result thread on this forum to get a sense of what kinds of grades and scores applicants to Columbia Collge are submitting) – you might have a better chance of admission to Columbia University’s College of General Studies, for non-traditional students. Though it is a different administrative unit than Columbia College, GS students take largely the same courses, and are held to the same requirements, also taking most of their classes with undergraduates from the College. There again, FA is an issue. GS has its own threads on this forum.</p>

<p>At this point, were I you, I would contact both Columbia College’s and GS’s admissions departments at Columbia University and start asking questions about which unit would be the best fit for you. And ask about financial aid, as that is an issue.</p>

<p>I reread your post and wanted to comment further. As a transfer student you will have to submit all college transcripts. If you did fail some college courses, this could possibly impact your competitiveness as an applicant to Columbia College as a transfer student, given the kind of competition you will face. There is also the issue of several stints at different colleges, with different rates of success. What you DO have going for you is an upward grade trend at this time. You would certainly not be a typical transfer applicant to Columbia College. Therefore, I urge you to make contact with admissions at BOTH Columbia College and Columbia General Studies to get a sense of where the University believes you might have the best chance of an admissions acceptance. You need to find out, from the source itself, where in the University you could achieve your best “fit.”</p>

<p>Columbia University only offers need based aid, by the way, not academic scholarships. I am not sure about GS. What I do know is that both are EXTREMELY pricey educational options. As for outside scholarships? Wouldn’t you need to be REALLY outstanding academically for outside academic scholarships? There are not many, or even any, for transfer undergraduates. Given this, are you sure Columbia is your best option? Why Columbia?</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>To say you would be a reach for Columbia would be an understatement. You would be competing against students who have had amazing grades their whole academic lives.</p>

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<p>I mostly want to get into NYU-Poly but I added Columbia because it’s the only other top college in NYC that I have heard great things. As for my SAT scores. They were really really bad in H.S.
Writing: 440
Reading: 480
Math: 460</p>

<p>I am just afraid that after getting my degree at Hunter it won’t be as easy for me to find a great job compared to those who get their CS degrees from top colleges. I feel as though I won’t be taken as serious and won’t be learn as much pursuing a degree in Computer Science from CUNY Hunter then if I got my degree from NYU. I have tried to find information employment rates for CS graduates from Hunter. But I have found nothing. As expensive as top colleges are, alot of doors open for you not to the mention the networking.</p>

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<p>Have you thought about finishing your degree then applying for a grad school that’s prestigious? If you keep your grades up here I don’t see why you couldn’t go that route.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately these scores will eliminate you from consideration for transfer to Columbia College. It creates the perception that you will not be able to handle the rigor of the curriculum. And it is a rigorous, classically-based Core curriculum, in addition to courses for your major. You could take the SAT again, of course. But to be competitive those scores would have to jump at least 200-250 points PER SECTION! Most successful applicants to Columbia have scores in the 700s. Not all, of course, if other components of the application are stellar and compensative. But at this point you may want to broaden your search. Columbia is a highly competitive Ivy League university and your competition for the few transfer slots will have absolutely stellar grades (from probably only one college), and absolutely top scores, as well as exceptional college extra curriculars. </p>

<p>I really question your need to transfer, however. If you are starting to really do well at Hunter, it might be wise for you to stay put and take advantage of the opportunities available to you. And your reasons for transfer are just based on your own presumptions, and not on any verifiale data of Hunter post-graduate employment! You are just presuming that the grass is greener elsewhere. You need to really address these issues with your college advisor and find out what kind of placement services are available, or what kinds of internships you might secure through your home school. You need to really think through your decision and seek advice from your school. What services and options are available at Hunter that you are not accessing? Research what your school can do for you, before you give up on it!!! </p>

<p>I am not saying you cannot or should not apply to Columbia. But it is probable that you are not a viable applicant for transfer. Columbia is one of the top ranked universities in the country (ranked #4 behind Harvard, Yale, and Princeton), with one of the most rigorous undergraduate curriculums. You need to ask yourself honestly: are you at that academic level, to compete for transfer admissions against absolutely top students? Have you fully investigated what it offers, and what it expects of applicants, so as to determine for yourself if Columbia is appropriate for you? If not, you need to do some research. As it is, Columbia will be a real reach for you. Perhaps too far a reach, in all honesty. But DO make the contacts I suggested at Columbia College and GS and see. </p>

<p>I really urge you to spend some time seriously examining whether your reasons for transfer are sound. For an outstanding graduate of Hunter CAN get a great job. You are absolutely WRONG to think otherwise! And maybe your best bet is to continue being an outstanding Hunter student and maximizing its opportunties! </p>

<p>I also concur with the above poster. Consider having a spectacular undergraduate career where you are, at Hunter. If you do exceptionally well, remaining on your current upward trajectory, you should have a real range of top graduate programs to choose from!!!</p>

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<p>Thank you all for replying. I a have decided to just get my degree in CS from hunter and attend NYU-Poly for my masters.</p>

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<p>Good for you, but DO talk to Hunter about internships and possible job placement. Hunter is highly respected, and I think you will find more doors will open for you than not in terms of internships or employment while you are still in school. And going for that graduate degree is awesome!! That will REALLY open even more doors for you. Good luck!!!</p>