I was in the first semster of my third year at Columbia earlier this year, but had to go on medical leave when health issues came up. In my time off I’ve begun to really consider transferring away from Columbia and possibly out of the Ivy League. Although I’ve done alright in the last couple years (academically, internships, etc.) I haven’t gotten nearly as much out of my experience there as I expected and have really struggled with the social dynamics of the school. I also know I could be doing muc better academically in a different setting.
One of my biggest issues is that I expected the academics to be much better than they actually are. While I’ve enjoyed my smaller seminar classes (higher level hispanic cultures/linguitics) enjoyable, the lectures for my main major (poli-sci econ) have been sub par and the professors in that field have been largely inaccessible. It’s also gotten to the point where the core feels more restrictive than anything else. Because of the sheer amount of core requirements, there’s little room to explore other disciplines related to my major and I would really like to delve more into psychology, sociology, and public policy (which Columbia doesn’t offer much of to its undergrads anyway).
At this point I have the options of returning in the fall or tranferring elsewhere. Reed and Brown are the schools that have sparked my interest as they seem better suited to what I’m looking for in academics and seem much more laid-back or at least different than the finance feeder school rat race I have no interest in beng a part of at Columbia. Reed in particular seems like a much better match and I think I would be happier there. It has a public policy program that sounds like it’s exactly what I’m looking for, but I am a bit worried about losing the name recognition of a school like Columbia. I’m not sure how much that matters since I’m not looking to land a job at Goldman Sachs, but I am interested in consulting and going to grad school for an MBA/Masters in Public Policy. I have a 3.4 GPA and am also worried that might keep me from getting into Brown despite the fact that my GPA took a hit because of health issues and one class in particular where a prpfessor refused to work with me even after my advising dean urged him to make accomodations and dcumentation of said health issues was provided. I’m in better health now and that wouldn’t be an issue going forward.
Transferring to Brown is a long shot. Be sure to ask about financial aid. An in-state public university should be on your list because a lot of privates look at transfers as cash cows, though I’m not sure about Reed in particular.
Financial aid is also a concern. I’m in a honors program at columbia that provides nearly a full grant so that’s been a factor as well. I’m really unhappy with the academics and environment there though, so transferring is the likely option if fin aid works out. Would Brown be a long shot because of my current GPA? My transcripts show that something obviously happened in one semester to result in a 4 point drop rather than a normal pattern, so idk if that would be taken into account. I’ve also got a long list of extracurriculars with results to show for myself (student govt, multicultural etc), a couple of prestigious internships and at least 2 recommenders who would go to bat for me, so I’m having a hard time gauging what would be weighed most during the transfer admission process
I’m actually not international! Not sure where my posting history indicated that, but it’s probably very outdated. I was given generous packages/scholarships at all the schools I was admitted to the first time around, but I’m aware that can vary for transfer applicants. Looking for thoughts and feedback on my chances for admission, tips for tranfers and thoughts on whether its worth transferring aside from fin aid since I think I can figure out the monetary situation if admitted
(although fin aid is something I’m keeping in mind as I apply!)
Ahh, that was a thread from a looong time ago and that indicates that the program recieves thousands of candidates internationally, not that I was an international candidate. Sorry for my high school self’s unclear phrasing lol
I am most definitely not an international applicant and would qualify for aid if I apply and get in. I know Brown provides aid for the transfers they admit, but they are need aware for transfer apps and take into account whether or not transfer applicants need aid when evaluating their profiles. I their believe regular admissions is need blind so this is a different process and it looks like indicating a need for fin aid in my app would possibly hurt my chances of getting in
At this point I’m more seriously considering Reed or looking at other small liberal arts schools and weighing whether it’d be worth the move away from an ivy
I’m not a fan of the Ivy League, and I don’t think it’s a mistake per se to transfer out of an Ivy League school. However, you’re already two years into your Columbia career and, in spite of the health/withdrawal hiccup, you appear to be doing well overall. You are somewhat disappointed in the teaching that you have received and in your access to professors. But the interactions with professors should get better as you get into upper division classes. And in any case, I think mild disappointment is the usual outcome; i.e. at some point you realize that the teacher is you. Regarding social dynamics, it is definitely rough when you don’t mesh, but really look within yourself and ask: how much better will it be somewhere else? Is it a case of maybe finding the right sub-group of people to interact with, regardless of the macro environment that you’re in? There is no guarantee that you won’t be disappointed at Reed or any other college that you could transfer to. There appears to be significant risk that you’ll encounter funding issues if you transfer, whereas you currently have a good funding situation at Columbia. You plan to go to graduate school anyway, which in itself will be a discrete opportunity to have experiences and learn at a different institution. Furthermore, you will find that if you transfer out of an Ivy League school you will be explaining this decision in job interviews for as long as those two years at Columbia still appear on your resume–even after you have long since moved on from the decision.
I say stay at Columbia, make the most out of it, and think carefully about graduate programs and what you want to get from them. Two more years seems like a long time, but you’re on the downward slope, really, and you should be looking forward to your career after college. I would also recommend that you work for 2-3 years before going to graduate school so that you have more perspective (as a general recommendation, but this would depend somewhat on your ultimate career goals).
The other issue is how many classes will transfer at a new institution which won’t be official until you put a deposit down. I agree with above poster. I would stay and look for a grad school program which suits you. Good luck to you
you’ll have smaller classes at reed but not sure if everything will transfer over. also, do not worry about reed’s credentials w/r/t sending students to grad schools. from what i understand they are very good