Hi All! I have a question? I’m looking to transfer to Columbia in March of my sophomore year. I am currently a freshman at a public college. My GPA is good, mostly all As, and I have good ECs and community service. my high school grades were average at best (made honor roll but not high honors consistently) but I was told that when applying for a junior year spot, high school grades are not as much as a factor. I was wondering how bad it would look to admissions that I retook two of my classes from freshman year, one that I had to withdraw from for personal reasons, and one that I got a C+ in, the remainder of my grades are As. I have a strong essay, good letters of recommendation, a legacy at the school (a family member of mine served as president) and a strong personality represented in my application through a creative addition to my application that I will not disclose here. I have internships at local museums, have strong ties to the community, come from a poor area, am African American and female and come from a household living below the poverty line. In the fall I am doubling up on classes (taking more than 18 credits, and footing the bill for it…thank god for grants, am i right?) and taking honors courses, am a vice president of SPJ (Society of Press Journalists, as I am a journalism major) and am retaking my SATs and ACTs for better scores. Will the fact that I have a W and also retook a class during my freshman year truly damage ALL of my chances of getting in? I am taking honors classes over the summer as well in addition to volunteering and interning at the state capital. I am looking to apply to NYU as well, which I think in my case should be achievable, as it is a LOT less competitive than Columbia. do you think I have any chance? or should I just give up now? I tend to be too much of an optimist but I really am determined to make something good out of my life, and escape the poverty cycle, and Columbia has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, so I just wanted to get some opinions from people who have been there. I know that Columbia cares a lot about personality and drive when accepting applicants, as kids from community colleges and with 3.6 GPAs have been accepted as transfers over students with 4.0s and coming from other top schools. What about other schools that are less selective but still great institutions, such as Boston University or Boston College?
please be honest, I just don’t want to give up on my dream. I want to be something in life, and although an ivy isn’t necessary, it would certainly help. I would be just as happy going to NYU or BU, but I want to try for this. do I have any chance?
You should have a good shot. Good luck.