Columbia University Transfer

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi! I am currently a freshman at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana. I’m looking to transfer for my sophomore year, and I’m wondering if Columbia University is within my reach. I think it certainly would be a “reach”, but I would really appreciate some feedback on whether or not I should apply. I know transfer admissions at Columbia are insanely selective. Do I have a chance? </p>

<p>Below I have a pretty extensive list of my high school career and my college career so far. I apologize for the length. I’m not trying to be like, “Oh, look at all these million things that make me so awesome!” In fact, most of them aren’t impressive. I’m just a very detail oriented person.</p>

<p>High School Academics
High School GPA: 3.77 UW
Academic High Honor Roll all four years
Scored of 6, the top 1.5% - Montana University System Writing Assessment Honors English (junior year)
AP English (senior year)</p>

<p>Test Scores
SAT: 1880 overall
690 Reading
500 Math
690 Writing
SAT Subject Test
700 Literature
ACT: 28</p>

<p>AP Tests
English Literature: 5</p>

<p>High School ECs
Student Government (2 years)<br>
- Student Body President (junior year)
German (4 years)
Speech, Debate and Drama (1 year)
- competed and placed at State level
Choir (5 years)
- four annual concerts plus several special performances<br>
- musical performance: Beauty And The Beast<br>
- musical performance: Footloose<br>
- selective choir, Guys and Dolls (2 years)<br>
- many community performances throughout each year
- Western “A” Choral Festivals (4 years) - All-State Choir (2 years)
- All-Northwest Choir (1 year)
Track and Field (2 years)
- Varsity team for two years
- awards in high jump and long jump
Private Piano Lessons (9 years)
- performances at spring and winter recitals
- Annual Guild Auditions (6 years)
- National Guild of Piano Teachers (5 years)
- National Fraternity of Student Musicians, member
- competed at District music festival with Excellent rating
Private Dance Lessons (7 years)
- Spotlight and Kids Artistic Revue regional competitions
- numerous local productions and performances
Private Voice Lessons (5 years)
- performed seasonal recitals
- performed at District and State music festivals with Superior ratings
National Forensic League member
Trick-or-Treating for canned food with Key Club (community service club)
Brain Bowl Trivia Competition (senior year)</p>

<p>Special Projects:<br>
I wrote my first novelette in seventh grade - 140 pages long.</p>

<p>I received three years of private writing mentorship from a local published historical fiction writer, Gladys Smith, and one of the Hamilton High School English teachers, Tara Burch.</p>

<p>I worked as a secretary/paralegal for a local law firm from December, 2006 to August, 2010.</p>

<p>I performed at Carnegie Hall with my high school choir in March of 2008.</p>

<p>During the summer of 2008 I helped to teach several children's summer camp classes at Evergreen Kids Corner, in Hamilton, Montana.</p>

<p>I participated in a ten-day rigorous musical theater workshop ending with two public performances in July of 2009.</p>

<p>College Academics
University of Montana Freshman
First Semester GPA: 3.88 - 4.0 (Obviously this is a speculation since the semester is not over yet, but I’m fairly certain about this.)
I will have 24 credits by the end of first semester.</p>

<p>College Extracurriculars
Rotaract Club (community service)
German Club (possibly 2nd semester)</p>

<p>Main things I’m worried about…
1. I did pretty much zero community service in high school… And I know that’s really bad. Of course, I did keep myself extremely busy with activities and work, but I know community service is an important factor. Does it make me seem self centered?
2. My test scores aren’t that great.
3. My college extracurricular activities list is pretty slim. I dabbled around and went to meetings for several different clubs, but none of them really interested me apart from Rotaract Club. I do plan on joining German Club next semester when I resume studying the language (I took German in high school), but I will only have been in that club for a few months before I apply at Columbia.
4. What else should I be really worried about/try to improve?</p>

<p>I think I’ll have pretty solid recommendations from two of my professors. </p>

<p>So! I would appreciate feedback, even if you can only make a small contribution. Please be honest, but not rude. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Oh, I forgot to add that I’m a Caucasian female. Thanks!</p>

3

<p>Does anyone have anything?</p>

4

<p>Conventional wisdom is that if you could not have gotten into a college as a freshmen, you probably won’t get in as a sophomore transfer unfortunately. You have not told us your class rank, but your SAT scores would not have been in range for Columbia.</p>

<p>It would probably be better to apply as a junior transfer and have time to develop ECs and maybe retake the SAT.</p>

5

<p>I’ve heard different things about taking the SAT once you’re already in college though… I mean, seeing as it’s a pre-college test, wouldn’t that kind of defeat the purpose?</p>

6

<p>Some colleges do allow this. My niece transferred into an ivy as a junior with new scores. Pre college or not, it helps them assess your aptitude and how competitive you will be among their student body if you’re not applying from an equally selective school.</p>