Transferring to Columbia University

Transfer Students
1

<p>I'm currently a freshman at Boston University. My high school career wasn't that great academically. My freshman and sophomore year were weak. My junior year is when everything got so much better because I guess you could say I had a "realization." I took a total of 9 or 10 AP's, did well on the SAT and ACT, and subject tests. My gpa, however, is not that high. Like I said, I did poorly my first two years of high school, and my junior year could even be considered weak. </p>

<p>My senior year is when I found out my dad had cancer. He has kidney, colon, and lung cancer and it has really taken its toll on my family. We can no longer afford my stay at BU, so I will have to go home after this semester. I am going to be taking courses at UCSD to keep up with my college requirements. (p.s there's no doubt I'll be getting straight A's this semester and the next). Aside from that though, I really am not having the college experience I wanted at Boston University. My stay here is stagnant. It seems to me like it's an extension of high school, and I am not being challenged by my surroundings or my coursework. I'm just really not pleased to be vague.</p>

<p>My best friend goes to Columbia, and there is where I feel at home. I reminded myself multiple times that I may just like Columbia because my best friend is there, but that's not the case at all. When I visited Columbia, there were various times when I wasn't with my best friend and I was alone, yet, people still came up to me, spoke with me, and were so incredibly friendly. I had a 30 minute conversation with someone about how Nazi Germany affects politics today. When speaking with the students there, I truly had never felt more of a belonging. I have never encountered so many people that I am compatible with. At my old high school, I could only speak with about two or three people about topics like these. It was a rarity, but I loved and cherished those relationships more than ever. A talk at Barnes &Noble was ideal. Despite my low grades in high school, I really have a different "take." I'm interested in politics, I love higher thinking, I love exchanging thoughts and opinions, and I love conversation. That, to me, is how academics are applied to daily knowledge. Columbia provides me with the opportunity to do that. I'm really not into getting the 'A,' I'm into understanding the material, and I absolutely love school. I mean, really, I could argue for hours that the school needs me, but the fact of the matter is that you are who/what you're surrounded by, and in Boston, I'm just not at my greatest. I joined student government, student council, I am a student teacher, and a tutor at the Boston Arts Academy. (I want to be a teacher). I am trying to be proactive in all that I do, but I am just not provided with the challenge here that I am at Columbia, and no matter how much I am taking advantage of what BU has to offer, I am still not happy and I just don't feel that sense of belonging that I do at Columbia. The thing about Columbia is that the people there aren't just smart, they're good thinkers. And that's a quality I really really admire and want to be a part of, (because I think I'm well on my way). What I can say is, I will be someone to make an impact at Columbia and I will definitely be involved in activities regarding leadership, politics, making a difference, etc. I just don't know how to get that across considering my high school record.</p>

<p>What I was afraid of at Columbia, because it is an ivy league, is that it would be surrounded by people who take academics too seriously. That was not the case at all. There is a respected balance between academics and social life. The way Columbia students approach life, generally, is a lot similar to the way I do. And if I were to be rejected admission because the admission's officers can't see that through my transcript/application, I'm probably going to be devastated. I want to really prove to Columbia that I have what it takes, and that not only will I be taking advantage of what it has to offer, I'll be contributing to it. Does anybody have suggestions, advice, ANYTHING? Really, I'm dying to go here for what I believe are the right reasons. I've stayed the night there, have gone to information sessions, campus tours, and have pretty much "lived the life of a Columbia student." </p>

<p>I understand that this was cumbersome to read, so I really want to thank anyone who has taken the time to at least read it. I'm just almost to the point of desperation to go to Columbia. I absolutely love it there, but they only accept 7% of applicants, and there are probably 1,000 more applicants who are far more qualified than I am. Anybody who can provide the least bit of help in getting me that acceptance letter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.</p>

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<p>What is the exact purpose of this thread?</p>

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<p>I did put paragraph breaks, I think they just didn’t show up. It’s supposed to be a question and a plea for advice basically haha, I’m new to this site so didn’t really know how to… Sorry if this was the wrong way of approaching it</p>

4

<p>Well, it sounds like you have done the best you can do. However, transfer spots at schools like Columbia are extremely hard to come by, and transferring to any school will generally not result in as much financial aid as they would offer a freshman applicant. </p>

<p>It sounds like you are well aware that this would be a long shot. But you sound very passionate about the school, and they will respond well to that. Depending on the grades you have earned in college so far, it may or may not be worth a shot. But of course, if you don’t apply, they can’t accept you.</p>

<p>You may also want to look at schools with a similar environment, as it sounds like BU may have been too big for you to feel at home. There are plenty of other schools where you will find good thinkers and a welcoming environment as well as academic challenge. </p>

<p>Maybe take a look at Barnard or Fordham if you want to stay in NYC and are looking for a more intimate environment.</p>

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<p>Thanks! Yeah, I’m aware it’s highly selective I’m just really hoping they put my character/intentions above my grades for this one. That’s really my only chance of getting in…
I’ve also looked into schools like Barnard and Fordham, and just don’t get the vibe I want to either. Columbia is honestly just perfect… I know I shouldn’t be idolizing a school like this because I’m really going to be devastated if I get a decline but I can’t help it. It is perfect for me.
Do you know of any consultants specific to Columbia that I could speak with?</p>

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<p>Do you expect your need based FA to be substantially more at C than at BU? This is what C says about FA for transfers:</p>

<p>[Transfer</a> Admissions and Financial Aid | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/transfer_admin-finaid.php]Transfer”>http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/transfer_admin-finaid.php)</p>

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<p>From the same link as above:</p>

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<p>You don’t get the same feeling at barnard? You can take tons of courses at columbia with the same students and it’s right across the street. I would without a question apply to barnard as a transfer as well since Columbia is extremely hard to get into and is a long shot for everyone.</p>