I’m currently an undergrad engineering student at Columbia about to finish my sophomore year. After two years and a mediocre gpa (2.77), I’ve decided that I no longer want to pursue engineering because I’ve completely lost interest and it has caused me more stress than I believe it to be worth. I’ve decided that I want to transfer schools and look to major in the humanities, most likely philosophy. The humanities classes that I have taken here, although few, I’ve received As in. My current philosophy professor is also will to write me a letter of recommendation. Despite my gpa, do I stand a chance of being admitted to NYU as a transfer?
Why not stay and do humanities at Columbia?
I agree with @lostaccount ! A philosophy major at Columbia is excellent! You will have way more options. That’s the beauty of a top 10 school. You have the luxury of majoring in anything you want without regard to future employability. Your Columbia degree is your ticket, regardless of major.
Given that you are struggling and dislike engineering, I think you are absolutely making the right move. Here’s a story: My father majored in engineering back in the day because his older cousin majored in it and he didn’t know any better. He only took one non-engineering course in his four years. Fast-forward five years into his engineering career, which he hated, he went to law school. And he has spent the rest of his life making up for his lack of a liberal arts education. He is constantly taking courses in philosophy, economics, history, political science. So for you, better now than five years into your engineering career!
The reason staying at Columbia is not an option is because the deadline for an internal transfer from the engineering school to the college for liberal arts has already passed and you are not allowed to apply for a transfer after completing four semesters. I would have had to withdraw this semester, which I didn’t want to do since my grades are actually good, and still take an entire year off to apply for a transfer for the 2020-21 academic year. I wasn’t willing to take an entire year off only to come back to a school I’m not entirely sure I want to attend at all.
@rose5888 I don’t think a GPA under 3.5 will get you into another prestigious college. You’re in a tough spot no doubt, and philosophy is a pretty competitive major. A friend of mine last year wanted to transfer from the New School (Lang) to NYU with a 4.0 GPA and got rejected. Her major was journalism, so maybe that’s why. All things considered, I would have a long talk with a counselor about your options and maybe you can plead with the board to change your major due to a special circumstance. Good luck my friend
I think you would really have to sell yourself to NYU, but the fact that you are coming from an engineering background and switching to humanities may help since you said your liberal arts classes were stronger. I would contact department head of Philosophy and see if you can schedule an appointment to meet with him/ her.
Agree. You need to work outside the usual system and take a custom approach. See the philosophy chair at Columbia. Know what you want to say before you meet, and make your case.
How will you pay for NYU? Columbia FA is much better in general.