Hey guys, I am currently at a top 30 4-year institution and completed my freshman year, however I am considering applying to transfer next year. I applied to Columbia freshman year but got waitlisted then rejected. I am considering taking a gap semester for the fall and trying to get a research position with an engineering faculty. Will this help my chances of getting in, if I can get a position, and also get a letter of rec from the faculty? or would it be better to just stay at my school for the next year and apply?
I would not take a gap semester. You might end up empty handed, and down a semester in credits. What is wrong with your current school?
@intparent After sophomore year, I will have finished nearly all the courses offered in my chosen major, and the few courses (upper level) that I would be able to take afterwards, are in sub-fields of my major that I have no interest in and don’t relate to my career path. Columbia has a lot more of these courses and research opportunities as well. So primarily the limited diversity/availability of upper level courses in my major. I think I have decided on applying to transfer, but this is just an alternate path for my fall semester that I am thinking about. Obviously it would depend on me being able to find a faculty at Columbia that I can do research with, but if that happens, I’m trying to figure out if it would be worth it (i.e. would it increase my chances sufficiently).
If you’re an engineering major, I seriously doubt that the effort expended to get to Columbia will make a single shred of difference versus obtaining a diploma at your current college. Engineering is not a field where college name recognition will alter your trajectory much. Go for the research – b/c that will enhance your job prospects. Turn your life on end just for some meager chance to go to Columbia? That makes no sense whatsoever.
@T26E4 I’m not even sure if you read my post - I have no interest in going to Columbia for the brand name. I already go to a top ranked institution which is probably just 1 tier down from Columbia if anything. My school barely offers any classes in my major so after sophomore year, I would have basically finished what’s available for me. Basically meaning for the second half of my college career, I can’t even pursue my interests at my current institution. The goal of research wouldn’t just be to get into Columbia - as I said I’m applying there for transfer regardless (among other places) - the goal is also to learn a lot and make good contacts for career purposes and grad school research and stuff as well.
@T26E4 can you please clarify your answer? Rereading your answer, I think my post may have been misunderstood - I didn’t say that I was planning to take a gap sem OR do research, the choice was taking a gap semester to do research or spending that semester at my current institution.