Hopeful transfer. Help please!

<p>So heading into the undergraduate admissions process (i just graduated from HS by the way), Columbia was my dream school. It has been for awhile and I did all that I could to get in. I attended their summer program (and it was confirmed that this is where i want to study), met with alumnis of the school, basically figured out the clubs and classes and things i was going to do there. So yea, I applied Early Decision. Unfortunately, I didnt make the cut. So here I am, hoping that after a year, I could apply as a transfer. I'm currently enrolled to attend another university in New York City, and honestly, I love the school I'll be attending this fall, and if I like it enough I might stay (which I'm planning on doing). However, it's still a dream to attend Columbia (either transfer, or graduate studies) so I basically need some advice from people who have been able to successfully transfer. Did you guys just do really well in college and thats all i took? Or was there more, (like in high school, where everyone basically traveled to africa and did some crazy exotic work there to get into an ivy league school)? Were you editor in chief of your college's paper? Was your grandfather the best friend of the dean? Or basically what does it take to be admitted as a transfer (after one year of undergrad study)? Also how important is prestige/reputation of the school you are currently attending?</p>

<p>where are you going now? NYU?</p>

<p>If you have a solid and clear reason for transferring (other than "it's my dream school" or "it's, uh... better") then your chances will be much higher. I transferred to Columbia engineering because my school didn't have an engineering school. If I didn't have that reason, then I probably wouldn't have had a chance.</p>

<p>Honestly, though, give it a chance at your school. Remember that Columbia will always be there for grad school. Transferring is a huge pain, not to mention that you won't get to see the friends you've made freshman year.</p>

<p>Yes people, please post more answers. I'm wondering myself.</p>