Hey everybody! I have really been stumped by this decision and would really appreciate your opinions. I am applying to Columbia through the Questbridge National College Match and I am filling out the school’s Common Application regarding Academics. I am interested in entrepreneurship, public speaking, and science (not a big part of my extracurriculars though). I would also like to major in CS (like it but haven’t done much out of school) which both colleges offer. Since I am not as intense into science (publish a research paper in high school sort of thing) I am leaning towards CC, however I applied to the Columbia Engineering Experience fly-in (only Columbia U fly-in available) and was rejected. When they read my application will they find it weird if I applied to CE fly-in but I am now applying to CC school, therefore lowering my chances of admissions? What are your thoughts?
Bump!
Is there a question about whether you applied to CE on the app?
I would apply to CC if I were you. The SEAS core is very science-oriented, and if my SEAS friends’ experienced are any indication, it is punishing. The acceptance rates are similar per school, so you’re not lowering your chances of admission. If your EC’s are mostly entrepreneurship-oriented, you probably have a greater chance of getting into CC.
Thank you @Tshiknn, there is only one portion of the application which asks whether I applied to CE or am a Questbridge Finalist (for fee waiver purposes) and I am both. Do you also know how difficult it is to transfer from one school to the other if we are accepted?
Hey bump, does anyone else wanna help answer my question? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
CC alum and longtime interviewer here. Don’t worry about having consider both schools. You’re in high school and you don’t need to decide your whole life yet. In the old days, SEAS was easier to get into than the College, but I don’t think the difference is so big anymore. Focus on what you want, not gaming the admissions process.
The key question is whether you want to be an engineer. There’s a big difference between the computer science requirements for majors in SEAS and CC - nearly double the number of required CS credits in SEAS. CC is a liberal arts college through and through and you need to love liberal arts to do well. SEAS is an engineering school (only half of the Core is required) and no one expects engineers to have as deep a foundation in the humanities. Generally, transferring from SEAS to CC is not too hard if you do well in the Core classes freshman year.
Admissions wise, the College will weigh how you’ll do in the Core Curriculum heavily, so even STEM oriented students will be expected to be deeply engaged in the liberal arts. Write/talk up your entrepreneurial and public speaking interests and relate them to what’s unique about CC.
@DMVParent22 thank you for your thorough answer. Could I private message you my essay? I tried to do exactly as you mentioned, and what about people wanting to transfer from CC to SEAS (since I am likely applying to CC).