There are probably dozens of posts on this subject but I can’t seem to find any concrete answers. Would any of you happen to know how the core applies to transfer students? I read somewhere on the website that transfers are encouraged to participate in the core… key word being encouraged. Would any transfers (or anyone knowledgeable about the subject for the matter) like to speak about their experience?
I am applying as a transfer and I may be wrong, but I believe that the core also applies to transfer students.
You NEED to do the core even if you are a transfer student. Good luck, I mean it. 
I’m CC’12, and AccCreate is correct. All transfer students must complete the core curriculum. I transferred to Columbia as a sophomore (I spent my freshman year at a public state university in the south), and the core took much of my course schedule during my sophomore and junior years. Plus I did a joint major in economics and political science (apx 1.5 majors) on top of it within 3 years (Columbia was not incredibly forgiving in transferring major requirement credits). Given the demands of catching up to speed on Columbia culture (imagine adjusting from small southern town to NYC), adjusting to the core curriculum (which is a large requirement), completing a joint major, recruiting for a job, joining clubs, making friends and enjoying life, I recommend working very hard and only doing 1 major and taking elective courses which you enjoy (you will always do well in these classes because you inherently enjoy them). I’m glad I transferred, and I’d do it again. I integrated well with my classmates, and people always forget that I transferred (I sometimes do myself too).