Official Columbia University Transfer Thread Fall 2012

AvisMath · 01-09-2011, 12:12 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm sure this is probably too much in advance, but looking at the other transfer threads opening up, I couldn't resist making this one. So, we can document our "travels" together over the next year or so to Columbia here. I am looking forward to applying to Columbia University as a transfer student to be a part of its Class of 2014.

I hope we can all grow together and eventually meet each other as Columbia students.

MonkeyKing1 · 01-09-2011, 12:57 AM

Early bird gets the worm I guess...

- Fall 2011 applicant

ChengStat · 01-09-2011, 12:31 PM

So am I. GOOD LUCK!!!

MitchAPalooza · 01-09-2011, 02:27 PM

2012 fall applicant. Going to be a long shot, but worth a try. Anyone go to their admission information campus tour?

ldh · 01-09-2011, 09:36 PM

2011 Fall Applicant -
I'm also wondering if the transfer information session is worth going to. Does attending affect my application? (I've visited campus recently, but if there's some benefit to flying over, I'd love to visit again anyway.)

McBainTrain · 01-09-2011, 11:04 PM

some of you are already planning on applying to transfer to columbia for fall 2012? this is way to far in advance in my opinion...

Zester · 01-10-2011, 04:56 AM

Yeah, get the F out. CLOSE.
And concentrate on the 2011s.
Columbia University Transfer Fall 2011

robertrulez · 01-10-2011, 07:51 PM

Hah nice I'm considering Columbia myself for 2012 along with Rice, and Austin.

But yeah this thread is a little early!

AvisMath · 01-11-2011, 09:14 PM

Hey guys, it's very nice to meet you all and I am glad to see that I am not the only eager one here.

I already saw the 2011 thread but it appeared to be lacking in activity so I decided to make this one. I will agree that it is early, but this may not necessarily be a bad thing.

As for the Transfer Information session, I do not know whether or not it will be worth it but I am definitely planning to go with the hopes of having a talk with any Transfer Admissions Counselor about related issues.

Anyway, what do you guys think about continuing this thread? Should we "disband and reunite" in the Fall Semester? My primary reason for creating this thread was so that we could foster this community to, I guess, "grow" from discussing information and sharing anything we might have to say with regards to admissions and also help cumulate and consolidate any specifics of transferring to Columbia. It would be of great help to any future aspiring transfer and also to people who still have yet to decide whether or not to apply.

Looking forward to everyone's feedback

MitchAPalooza · 01-11-2011, 11:07 PM

@AvisMath

I disagree with everyone else. Definitely keep this thread open. Planning is the most crucial factor in the transfer process. What is wrong with having a goal? I graduated in 2010. Although I have great HS grades, scores, etc I do not think one semester's worth of grades will make a sufficient impact on my application.

When I knew I wanted to transfer I made a list of schools. My original list probably had about 12-15 schools and I managed to cut that down to 5. CC is one of them.

Now comes the hardest part and no it's not getting the grades, ECs, etc but rather research. Why do I want to go to Columbia? If you can answer this question you are golden.

So leave the thread open. This one receives more traffic than the 2011 one anyways. If someone doesn't like it then don't post. Simple as that.

As far as the Info and Campus tours, I went to one this fall. It was a little awkward because the counselor did not mention anything about transfer applications. In the group of 100 everyone was either Jrs or Srs in HS. I just tried to blend in. She did stay at the end though and took personal questions so next time I go, I plan on doing that.

bioblade · 01-12-2011, 12:54 AM

there's two info sessions specifically for transfers.

AvisMath · 01-12-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchAPalooza

Now comes the hardest part and no it's not getting the grades, ECs, etc but rather research. Why do I want to go to Columbia? If you can answer this question you are golden

Agreed completely. Columbia University, perhaps more than others, has a deep sense of "fit" and finding out what traits it looks for in their transfer students is going to be very important for all of us. And the toughest part after that is actually articulating it into our essay(s). I would also say that this will be tougher for most than actually achieving the necessary scores, GPA, extracurriculars, etc.

I have never been good at writing essays so I will have to start in the summer. As for the college GPA, I think it should be under control but it's too late to do anything about my dismal high school one. I also never really participated in many extracurriculars but I have completely changed that now. I don't know if I have the stats, or the ability to represent myself very accurately in a college application, but I know that this experience will help me mature.

I never applied to Columbia University when I graduated high school, also in 2010 MitchAPalooza

, but since then I have felt that I should try now, more or less to just find out if I am capable enough to get in.

MitchAPalooza · 01-12-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

there's two info sessions specifically for transfers.

Thanks. I never knew that. The dates are Jan 14 and Feb 14 more anyone interested.

Information Session for Transfer Students | Columbia University Office of Undergraduate Admissions

@avis
That's why starting now really helps out.

howdypal · 01-13-2011, 03:35 PM

Hey what do they look for in transfers?
I recently got accept into Johns Hopkins class of 2015.
Columbia was 2nd choice be/c i loved its "philosophy".
What it be hard to go from JHU to Columbia if I appen to not like JHU?

AvisMath · 01-13-2011, 04:24 PM

Hello howdypal,

First of all, congratulations for being admitted to JHU! It's a great place to be for undergrad and I hope you enjoy it. As for your question, there are many quantitative requiurements, but other than that Columbia University looks for the same qualities in its prospective transfer students that any other univ might.

From Columbia's website:

"To apply for transfer admission, you must submit the following:

1. The Common Application
2. Columbia Supplement to The Common Application
3. The $80 application fee
4. An official high school transcript (from all schools attended)
5. An official college transcript (from all schools attended)
6. SAT or ACT scores (and TOEFL /IELTS scores if necessary; please refer English Language Proficiency Requirements for further details)
7. Two letters of recommendation (College Instructor Evaluation) from a college professor
8. A Statement of Good Standing (College Official's Report) from the current institution"

On the more abstract side of the transfer admissions spectrum, many believe that Columbia University has a strong sense of "fit" that it looks for in prospective transfer students. Therefore, the essays submitted are very important, and might well be the difference between an acceptance or a rejection.