Transfer to Columbia or MIT?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Honestly, I should have made this discussion post much sooner. Hopefully, someone can help me with my situation. </p>

<p>I was accepted to Columbia, MIT, and Penn as a junior transfer, and I'm still undecided about whether I should transfer to Columbia, MIT, or neither. I already passed up the offer from Penn last week, but with Columbia's response deadline tomorrow (technically today?), I'm cutting my decision unbearably close. </p>

<p>I currently attend a very non-prestigious private university in Washington state (acceptance rate ~70%). I'm a mathematics and biology double degree student, and I currently have a 3.99 GPA (One A- out of 20 classes). Because of AP credits and placement exams, I can pick up a third major or double minor as well. I have fantastic opportunities if I stay at my current university next year: a great bio research opportunity and jobs as a math lab assistant, a TA for a biology class, and an on-campus tutor. </p>

<p>It was always my dream to attend a school like Columbia. But, I still have a lot of doubt about what I'd like to do after I finish undergrad, which is primarily what makes this decision so hard for me. Medical school is one option (and perhaps the most sensible considering my science-heavy background). However, I've always envisioned my future as a lawyer, and I actually started college as a political science major. Whichever route I choose, I'd like to attend a top-tier professional school. I imagine that my scores on either the MCAT or the LSAT will be strong, and I will likely graduate with at least a 3.98 GPA. My fear, however, is that I'll be discounted during the admissions process because of where I went for undergrad. I've read countless discussions on here in which individuals argue both for and against this logic, but clearly the answer isn't as concrete as that. </p>

<p>Now, to the point of this discussion--the questions someone can hopefully answer:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is transferring worth it? I'm not unhappy at my current university, but will transferring increase my chances of acceptance at top-tier professional schools? My indecision is solely in regard to academics. I love everything about Columbia's atmosphere/environment. I would be paying about $8,000 more for tuition than I am now, but this isn't of great concern for me.</p></li>
<li><p>How difficult would it be to double major (in, for example, biology and mathematics) as a junior transfer at Columbia? The Core seems like it would be exceptionally restricting. My estimated transfer credit assessment says that I'd likely be able to transfer the maximum number of credits (64, I believe).</p></li>
<li><p>Would it be detrimental to my GPA to transfer? I've read about the rigor of classes like organic chemistry at Columbia. Would the slight dip my GPA may take be worth the bump in prestige? How many students in a given science class generally earn As?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'm primarily looking for anyone who can speak from personal experience. Obviously, no one can say what would be best for me, but I'd love to hear how transferring worked out for others.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance, and I apologize about my wordiness--a product of my stress.</p>

<p>:) </p>

2

<p>I do not have an experience of transferring yet but I do believe transferring to an “overall better/more well-known/more prestigious” school with better academic system is always worth it (when not considering financial situations or a social/student life something). I also heard that a graduate/medical school admission (if I understand correctly) is affected by not only your GPA but also the school you have graduated from (its rigorousness, prestige, etc.). I have no experience so I can’t answer your #2 and #3 but I hope this helps you a little bit.</p>

3

<p>Go to MIT, and forget about Columbia. CU is vastly overrated, and there are numerous back doors to obtaining a Columbia degree. In the late '70 and '80s, Columbia awarded more General Studies degrees than from any other division. Even today, most transfers are in General Studies and not CC. Further, Columbia’s distribution requirements are onerous, and some of the core course instructors are marginally qualified at best. For math and biology go to MIT. </p>

<p>“However, I’ve always envisioned my future as a lawyer, and I actually started college as a political science major”</p>

<p>Guess who has a top 10 political science department too? Yes, MIT.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>For MIT, transferring from WhateverU most certainly is worth it.</p></li>
<li><p>Penn would have made a lot more sense than Columbia. Unless you think you can handle seven courses a semester at Columbia, forget about a double major.</p></li>
<li><p>What direction can you go with a 3.99 GPA other than down?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you find that a bachelors degree is enough, you’ll be better off with one from MIT than from Columbia.</p>

4

<p>Inquiring minds want to know. What did you decide to do?</p>