Minimum GPA cut-off

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>You hear a lot about how the holistic admissions criteria make it so that there is no defined GPA cutoff but clearly, we all know there is one point where one really shouldn't bother applying since regardless of how amazing their essays, recommendations, and ECs might be.</p>

<p>What is that point. A gpa of 2.0 of course falls into that category but I'm referring to the upper limit. For this institution, and for transfer students, at one point does a GPA void an application from any serious consideration?</p>

2

<p>Let's put it this way. I applied with a 3.7W GPA ED(approximately 3.0/3.1UW) and got deferred. The admissions process is holistic enough that you can apply with any GPA so long as you can justify why they should admit you.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
You hear a lot about how the holistic admissions criteria make it so that there is no defined GPA cutoff but clearly, we all know there is one point where one really shouldn't bother applying since regardless of how amazing their essays, recommendations, and ECs might be.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>There isn't a magic number. A 3.4 might be a damn good GPA and could put you in the top 10% of your class (that's filled with Ivy kids) at some elite private school. GPA varies so much from school to school.</p>

4

<p>for transfers the website has as specific of an answer as you are ever gona get for this kind of question</p>

<p>"You are expected to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 overall; Columbia Engineering candidates are strongly encouraged to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their mathematics and science courses. Admission is highly competitive; we typically admit fewer than 10 percent of the applicants for transfer admission each year. 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;"</p>

5

<p>^if you want to transfer my rule of thumb cutoff is usually 3.7 unless you have something spectacular, and if you're from a significantly less prestigious university you better be top 5% there, so closer to 4.0 ceteris parabus.</p>

6

<p>So, say a 3.64....worth taking the chance?</p>

7

<p>^yes (10 char)</p>

8

<p>I like to note in these kind of threads that I had a 3.3 UW (3.9 W) GPA in HS and got in ED.</p>

<p>there was a lot more than that in my application, of course, and I got in in spite of my grades - but it's not inconceivable. </p>

<p>edit: the important thing is that you bring something unusual to the table. you have to stand out from the pack. you can do that by being a well-rounded valedictorian bookworm, sure, but most of those types bring something else to the table as well.</p>

9

<p>That's very impressive Denzera. Even though I'm sure that university transfer may be a lot harsher on the grade side of things. May I ask how you stood out exactly? What was the unusual you brought to the table?</p>

10

<p>undisclosed: I don't want to speak for Denzera, but I think that Columbia generally looks for a passion. Obviously, you need to be qualified to take classes at Columbia(read: you must be getting at least a B average in honors and AP level classes), but beyond that, they are probably looking for focus in your ECs. </p>

<p>For example, if you're passionate about biology, have you worked at a local research lab? Published any papers? Attended any conferences? If you're this type of person, it's in Columbia's utmost interest to accept you; a prime source of income for Columbia is research grants. Columbia would rather have someone who can contribute to a field and actually make a difference than someone who's going to spend all their time getting A+s, without contributing anything significant.</p>

<p>Look at the ED results thread, and see all the people that got rejected outright with amazing stats(some with 2300+ on their SATs, near-4.0UW GPAs, and pretty good ECs). Now, compare this to my stats(2070 SATs, 3.7W/~3.0UW GPA). The fact that I was deferred alone should be evidence enough that Columbia really does take a holistic approach to the admissions process.</p>

<p>As long as you can justify why you should be admitted, it's worth applying.</p>

11

<p>mikesown - you're spot on. Passion, especially for academics, is the key distinguisher. Show that you actually, really, deeply care about something meaningful, and it'll come through and shine bright as day. Top schools hoard the people who really find (say) chemistry fascinating and think about it all the time.</p>

<p>
[quote]
May I ask how you stood out exactly? What was the unusual you brought to the table?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I really hate posts where people toot their own horns. i'll try to keep this as factual as possible but it won't be easy to avoid the impression that i think i'm hot s**t. or at least, was when i was coming out of HS. Anyway:</p>

<ul>
<li>i went to one of the toughest non-exam public schools in the country. sends probably 25% of the class (of 450) to top-20 universities every year. so there were lots of smart people competing for grades.</li>
<li>I took all honors and AP classes, most rigorous curriculum available.</li>
<li>Was all about the math and science since I was very little, took algebra in 5th grade, precalc by 8th grade, calc freshman year, took linear algebra at a local university and multivariate calc as a junior at harvard extension. The harder the class got, the better my grade was - because I wasn't bored.</li>
<li>Rocked the AHSME/AIME a few times. Came one question shy of the USAMO.</li>
<li>Math team, bunch of awards, our school kicked butt regionally, won New Englands a couple times. Science team, did Olympiad and a few other things.</li>
<li>Took our AP physics class as a freshman. Rocked the AP in mechanics and E&M. did some independent studies in relativity. had a science fair project where I - not making this up - built a fusion</a> reactor. For under $1000.</li>
<li>I played classical piano since I was 5. Gave a solo 2hr concert when I was 14. Did concerto competitions, stuff like that. Did some accompaniment for shows on the side, some chamber groups, etc.</li>
<li>Sang a whole lot. Senior districts, student-led a cappella group (which I led and did some arranging). accompanied the concert choir, which was good enough to tour europe during one spring break.</li>
<li>Had a bunch of paying jobs while in HS. Got a full-time salaried one during my senior year since i'd already finished the whole curriculum for high school.</li>
<li>By the end of junior year, had taken 11 AP exams and gotten 5s in all but two (which I had self-studied for, psychology and music theory).</li>
<li>Convinced my 11th-grade french teacher to spend the 4th quarter of the year taking a french musical and putting it on as a production. there was so much musical / theater talent in our french class it was ridiculous, we put on an entire show and only had to import two ringers. I basically organized the whole effort, and sang a part.</li>
<li>I curb-stomped every single standardized test I ever saw. 750V/800M, 800s on physics, chem, math2c, 750ish for US history, and a few others. Plus all those APs, the math team, the national chemistry exam, etc.</li>
</ul>

<p>...and I got rejected by all those top schools because I had a 3.3 unweighted GPA - basically a B+ average. My work ethic wasn't where it should have been. classes i didn't like i slacked off in. classes that were more interesting, I had no problem getting an A. Columbia and the other schools were right to be concerned.</p>

<p>And then I worked FT, for a year-and-a-half by the time I applied again to columbia. and in that time I grew up, got a work ethic, learned how to be a professional, and got a rocking rec from my boss. that's what sealed the deal.</p>

<p>edit: note, not everyone at columbia is as schizophrenic as that profile suggests. some people just worked harder on their classes and didn't spread themselves so thin. but, at least, here's one profile that was (Eventually) a success in applications.</p>

<p>ok, time to hit the local bars. got a date to play some pool with this girl. take it easy guys.</p>

12

<p>I feel as though Columbia is more forgiving about grades and scores than other Ivies, given you have something to bring to the table. Even if you just have an interesting story, like living in 10 different countries or something like, you'd be an interesting candidate. Also, I get the sense that Columbia likes people who are internationally-oriented. But all these things are really just guesses, I don't have hard data to prove this.</p>