Should I Re-apply to Columbia?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

Hi everyone!
Last year I applied to Columbia University. As expected, I got denied. These were my stats last year:
High School GPA: 4.0
TOEFL: 110
Uncountable Activities
SAT: 570 Reading, 640 Math
I scored so bad on the SAT and that really hurt my application. I am international and we do not have resources or SAT courses, I learned off the Internet. My LORs were amazing, one of my teachers told me her letter was almost 3 pages long. Bottom line, I think I got denied because of my low SAT score. What do you think?

Now, if I were to retake the SAT this year and probably score close to 1500, will I be able to get into Columbia as an international transfer student with a 3.87 GPA, or should I not even bother? Unfortunately, I got B+ in Calculus 1.

Thank you in advance! :slight_smile:

2

I’m not sure about Columbia’s policy but generally speaking the SAT is meant to be taken in HS, not afterwards. Many schools will not count an SAT taken after HS graduation.

Also note, that schools like Columbia turn down near perfect applicants every year, and it’s even harder for international students. My advice would be to focus on your education where you are now, and target schools like Columbia for grad school.

3

I agree- I think the SATs are taken while you’re in college, not after graduation.

What about your application has changed in the last year-- what would make them decide that you’re now a more solid candidate?

There are something like 4,000 colleges in this country. Why not simply attend one that wants you?

4

As an international student, your chances are even lower than domestic applicants. I assume they also accept near perfect applicants from the international pool. I don’t think Columbia will like seeing you take an SAT while in college, just to get try again. I guess you could research this, but don’t burden yourself with another SAT if it’ll only hurt you.

5

Columbia requires test scores as part of a transfer application and it accepts scores for that purpose from tests taken after high school (most colleges that require test scores as part of a transfer application do accept post-high school test scores, although some do not). Thus, you could do what you intend. However, in doing so be aware that it is even harder to be admitted to Columbia as a transfer than as a freshman, you can apply for transfer only if you are transferring from a “US Style” college (meaning a US college or one that follows similar semester or quarter attendance and grading methods and provides English language transcripts), your college grades will be more important than any new test scores, and Columbia will consider, as a factor against you, that you were previously rejected for freshman admission.