<p>high school was pretty much a disaster, and i don't really want to get into it, but i graduated with with a 3.2 gpa. i got into a decent university only because my SATs were pretty good.</p>
<p>the thing is, i hate it here and i want to transfer to columbia for fall '09. my SATs shouldn't keep me out (my current score is 2070, but i took them once and i didn't get to study, so when i take them again i anticipate scoring in the 2200+ range), and my gpa will be around 3.8-4.0. my problem is that i since i completely @#$#$@ up high school, i don't have any extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>i understand how a lot of columbia applicants have my SATs and GPA, and a lot of them probably have done better, which is why it's important to have something to separate yourself from the pack, so to speak.</p>
<p>my question is, do i have a shot at transferring if i find a "hook", i.e. build my extracurriculars, write a convincing essay, etc? do you think columbia would negatively consider the whole "look at me, i was an idiot in high school and i finally realized my potential"? what would you recommend i get involved with this semester?</p>
<p>i would really appreciate some insight. thanks.</p>
<p>If you wait and apply to transfer as a junior, your high school record and test scores probably won't be an issue. With a high college GPA for the first two years and excellent recommendations, you would stand a better chance.</p>
<p>what are your thoughts on applying as a sophomore, and then if rejected, applying again as a junior? what about transferring to another school for sophomore year and then applying to columbia as a junior?</p>
<p>i don't like where i am right now...</p>
<p>any advice on extracurriculars? is transferring a different game where they don't matter as much?</p>
<p>why are you being so condescending? it upsets me that you feel the need to act that way.</p>
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Glad you know on September 20th what your GPA "will be."
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<p>if it'll make you sleep better at night, i "expect" my GPA to be a 3.8-4. in other words, in the case that my GPA was a 3.8-4, how would my prospects look? do you understand now?</p>
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What's unique about your problem?
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<p>surely your reading comprehension skills are better than that?</p>
<p>my problem is unique because my high school performance was a failure. i explained before that i didn't want to elaborate on this. i would be applying to columbia as somebody who had made an important transition in their life.</p>
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surely your reading comprehension skills are better than that?</p>
<p>my problem is unique because my high school performance was a failure.
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<p>Get out your dictionary and look up unique. You still haven't said a single thing to establish that your problem is unique. You may have, in your opinion, an unfortunate problem or a tragic problem or an unjust problem. However, there's absolutely nothing unique about someone screwing up in high school and then trying to make up for it and transfer to a top school.</p>
<p>i believe that it's reasonable to say that i am not the average applicant in terms of high school performance. i would even venture to say that my case is "unusual", which is how merriam webster defines "unique":</p>
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i believe that it's reasonable to say that i am not the average applicant in terms of high school performance. i would even venture to say that my case is "unusual",
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<p>There's absolutely nothing unusual -- much less unique -- about a Columbia transfer applicant having done mediocre in high school. I'm not sure how you come off thinking you're unique.</p>
<p>if there is "absolutely nothing" unusual about my case, then what is "much less" than "absolutely nothing"? learn how to compose a logical sentence.</p>
<p>you should also invest some time into learning how to read. i never explicitly stated that i thought i was unique. i said that i had a "unique problem", about which you're obviously incapable of giving helpful advice.</p>
<p>Just ignore Columbia2002's advice, her/his behavior is indicative of some sort of deep self-loathing (due to his need to put everyone down in order to make himself feel better through raising irrelevant issues like an OP's syntax and word choice, etc).
The earlier answers on this board were very helpful and correct; if you apply during your sophomore year as a junior transfer, Columbia will place less emphasis on your high school record. I should point out, however, that the acceptance rate for junior transfers is generally much lower (i.e. more difficult). Subsequently, I would advise you to work extremely hard this year, get a 4.0, retake the SATs, and give it a shot. The application should contain an "additional information" section. If you can succinctly and convincingly explain why you did badly in HS, and what you've done to permanently change yourself, that would certainly be beneficial. Again, only if done well.</p>
<p>^Well, I would say that being in a place you hate isn't good. I mean, that's two years of your life you're wasting if you feel that you don't like your current university. College is too often treated as a stepping stone to a later career - don't forget that you actually spend time there.</p>
<p>Also, your grades might be better and you would probably have an easier time with your classes in an environment you like versus one that you hate. </p>
<p>Just my two cents. :)</p>
<p>Other than that, I agree with muerteapueblo's advice about transferring. If you do decide to mention your high school grades in the additional info, try to make it sound like a positive thing about how you've changed and everything rather than an excuse.</p>
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Also, your grades might be better and you would probably have an easier time with your classes in an environment you like versus one that you hate.
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<p>this is how i feel, although i'm channeling a curious breed of motivation coming from my desire to get the hell out of here :P</p>
<p>my only issue with transferring to another school is that it might be negatively perceived by a top school. thoughts?</p>
<p>ultimately, it's my experience and i'm not going to stay here another year if i can't tolerate it.</p>
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this is how i feel, although i'm channeling a curious breed of motivation coming from my desire to get the hell out of here :P
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Lol.</p>
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my only issue with transferring to another school is that it might be negatively perceived by a top school. thoughts?
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I don't know how it is perceived, but generally the rationale behind transferring is that the first school doesn't suit the student's need. So I don't think they would assume anything negative about you based on transfer, because as long as you can explain why the first school wasn't working for you, you're really just being smart about your education. Lots of people transfer.</p>
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if there is "absolutely nothing" unusual about my case, then what is "much less" than "absolutely nothing"? learn how to compose a logical sentence.
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<p>Wow, your reading comprehension and ability to deconstruct sentences is bad. The point relates to something that's unusual and something that's unique. By showing that something is not unusual, you necessarily establish that it's also not unique. Therefore, if something's absolutely not unusual, it's even more preposterous to suggest that it's unique.</p>
<p>So, I had at least a superficially similar situation. In HS I had a 3.3 UW GPA (3.9 weighted, admittedly). However: I raped, pillaged and ate the babies of all standardized tests, played two sports, was good at debate, was awesome at classical piano, had all sorts of awards for math team / science team, and a recommendation from my boss attesting to my maturity (for whom I was working full time my senior year - since i'd finished my graduation requirements early).</p>
<p>Columbia rejected me. As did 11 other top schools around the country. In my case, I kept working, re-applied ED to columbia the next year, with a better essay, and stronger record of working full-time -- and got in. But it took a lot more commitment, hard work, and maturity than I had expected. It also resulted in me arriving at Columbia feeling like I had been given a second lease on life, which really helped my GPA for the first two years (and especially my first semester).</p>
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<p>Now then, with that as background, let me say this: If you want us to give you any sort of decent advice at all, we need a LOT more info. i.e.:
(a) what are the particulars for how your HS career was subpar?
(b) what in particular do you hate about your current school? Hell, what IS your current school? Give us detail.
(c) what are you trying to get out of college? Going to a school like Columbia is not some magic ticket to a land full of rainbows and unicorns, at its root all colleges share many of the same experiences (dorms, classes, homework, majors, and so on). You need to give us a good idea of what you're trying to accomplish or achieve while in college or after college, using it as a vehicle. we can't really assess what's best for you without knowing that.</p>
<p>let's start with that. You want answers? Tell us more.</p>
<p>i'm currently attending indiana university bloomington. it's not a horrible school... i just don't like anything about it.</p>
<p>am i at a disadvantage coming from this school?</p>
<p>one more question- do you happen to know if columbia and other ivy leagues consider SATs taken in college? i read that certain schools only consider scores from high school.</p>
<p>I think you will look flaky if you go to one school freshman year, another school sophomore year, and then apply to yet another school junior year. Your ability to make sound decisions, and follow through on them, will be questioned. You said you aren't miserable at your current school. A stellar academic performance over two years (really one and a half when you submit a transfer application) will reflect well on you. The extra time will also allow you to cultivate some relationships with profs (go to office hours, even if it's just to talk) who can write enthusiastic recommendations on your behalf. And waiting will also make your high school grades and test scores much less of an issue in the transfer admission decision. Overall, you will be a significantly stronger transfer applicant second semester of sophomore year than you will be second semester of freshman year.</p>