Low GPA/ SAT but important details, transfer to Columbia

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

I am considering applying to Columbia as a second year transfer student. I currently attend Ithaca College. My grades are barely reaching the minimum for Columbia admissions (1900 SAT and 3.6 GPA).

My GPA is a bit low due to my first semester being a 3.2, however, since then my GPA has constantly been much higher.

However, I have some advantages outside these qualifications:

LEGACY:

-For starters, my great grandfather Yosaji Morita has a hefty scholarship in his name which is funded by my grandpa’s brother (Norberto Morita) who is an alumn. Not sure he counts as my legacy relative (despite us being close) but being from the same bloodline as him and as the person who the scholarship is named after has to mean something right?

RACE/BACKGROUND:

-I am a mixed raced minority (Argentine/Japanese).

-I have also lived in Chile, USA, Switzerland, and China and speak English, Spanish and French

EC’S:

From college-

-Internship with VANS (VF Co) was on team that launched their personal e-commerce website for Chinese consumers, the world’s largest e-comm market

-IT job, helped college students with IT problems (paid position)

-Busboy at college dining hall (paid position)

-Students working for non-profit organizations club, provide business advice and help to local non profits, this year’s project was to help spread brand and internal awareness for the Ithaca Museum of Earth

-International Association of Business Communicators, help other students with networking as well as portfolio building

-Asian-American Club, member, helped organize and participated in events

From HS-

-Soccer team captain (varsity)

-Student Council Representative

-Interact Volunteer Club member and planning committee, worked with local orphanage, dog shelter, and retirement home to plan events as well as participate in them

AWARDS-

National Association of High School Scholars

Dean’s List x1

ESSAY-

My experienced college advisor said that my essay was Ivy level so I’m pretty sure this will help!

Not sure if applying from a college in New York gives me an advantage at all but wanted to mention that. Thanks for any advice/input!

2

good luck bro

3

Transfer acceptance rates to the top schools are very low. All you can do is apply and see what happens. FWIW applying from a college in NY does not provide any advantage.

4

Yes, good luck.

It is worth a phone call to see if legacy counts for transfers. I know grandparents and parents count, but grandfather’s brother is somewhat questionable.

Do you think a 3.2 GPA at Ithaca would be an indicator for success at Columbia? If not, retake courses until you get near a 4.0 overall, then apply to transfer. IMHO.

5

Yeah, that might be an issue. The reason my GPA was so low is because of an attendance policy for one of my classes that made it so that if you miss 3 classes, your grade will be docked a whole letter grade. Because of some communication issues this affected me and lowered an A- to a B- which was a serious blow to my GPA. I don’t think I should disclose this is because they might think it was because I was lazy and missed class on purpose? But yeah, I acknowledge that my chances are slim.

6

Though you’re not a legacy by Columbia’s definition (parents only), your great uncle being a major donor could help. See if he’ll write a note to the development office to let them know his grand nephew is applying and how delighted he would be to have another member of the Morita family attend Columbia. If a check is enclosed the appeal will be extra effective. I know for a fact it’s possible to buy your way in. I learned the going rate at Yale is about $1.5 million. It’s probably similar at Columbia.

Buying admission to the Ivies is in the news right now because Jared Kushner’s dad bought his admission to Harvard.