<p>Hi Everyone!
So I want to transfer to Columbia my junior year and would like to know what the application of an admitted transfer would look like. I'm a freshman second quarter and just want to make sure I am on track. So academics-wise, extra curricular, etc, what are Columbia's transfer standards? I know they are selective but want to know more specifically.
Thank You!</p>
<p>High GPA (most transfers have a 3.7-3.8+ college GPA, columbia says the minimum is 3.5, but people have gotten in with lower GPAs, too). An SAT score that isn’t atrocious (the higher, obviously, the better). Relevant extracurriculars that show passion (you’re a college student now and should know much better what you want to do - a laundry list impresses no one). A compelling reason to transfer.</p>
<p>Even with all of the above, nothing’s guaranteed (6% accept rate last year).</p>
<p>thanks for the info. I took my SAT once in high school and got an 1850. can i or should i retake it? if ive already completed a year and some of college would they still reflect back on my SATs? and would a job count as extra-cirricular? Thanks again!</p>
<p>you can take it again.
you should also note that columbia gives preference to students who transfer after their first year of college - it will give those students the best shot to enter columbia’s community, complete its core and therefore engage in the life of the university.</p>
<p>Well isnt it too late for me to apply now (winter quarter freshman year)? I thought it’d be better to build my college career, be able to get good recommendation? good grades? etc?</p>
<p>Also what constitutes a compelling reason to transfer? Columbia has always been my dream school, I know what it has to offer and what I could offer and I am appreciative and happy with my current school but have always wanted to end up at Columbia whether it be through transferring or grad school. I could write about how passionate I am about going there, but what would be the best reason to transfer?
Thanks!</p>
<p>columbia doesn’t accept transfer applications until mid march, and announces decisions around mid-may. it isn’t too early. if you want to ‘build your college career’ then transferring to columbia might not make sense.</p>
<p>columbia being your dream school is not a compelling reason to transfer. i used to dream about becoming an astronaut, but NASA says that’s not enough. and in your short statements, i don’t get why you want to end up at columbia - it sounds as if it is a ‘just because.’ of course you can be impressed with columbia’s history, but to want to be a columbian means something more than just the fascination of an outsider.</p>
<p>best reason to transfer - columbia’s unique academic and social culture as well as particular academic opportunities entice you and you believe that you can only further yourself academically and personally at columbia. this means being cognizant of columbia’s incredible though admittedly burdensome (about 1/3 of your time) core curriculum. it means knowing what you want to study academically and with whom. it means being aware that columbia students are an interesting mixture of brash new yorkers, hermetic scholars, ambitious leaders who have always gotten their way, and yet extraordinarily socially conscious and with slight chips on their shoulders.</p>
<p>Alright thank you so much! This is the kind of critique and advice i want to hear:)</p>