<p>I paid my tuition deposit for Columbia College Chicago a few months ago, but after talking with my parents and a counselor at school, decided it’d be better if I went to Community College the first two years instead, and then transfer to Columbia in order to save money, which I have no problem with. My question is, is there any way I can get my tuition deposit back? And how should I contact Columbia about my decision?</p>
<p>Are you sure you can transfer to Columbia after two years though?</p>
<p>Just send them an email and let them know that you won’t be coming. I don’t know if they will refund the deposit or not. That information should be on the website. If you can’t find the details there, you could go ahead and call them and ask.</p>
<p>If you do decide to reapply in a couple of years, you should know that Columbia College Chicago is VERY transfer friendly. We visited last summer to check it out because it was on Happykid’s transfer-to short list. The people in her department there looked us parents in the eye and said, “Mom, Dad, your daughter will finish in two years here.” The admissions officer who spoke with our campus tour group encouraged everyone to get as many of their credits out of the way on the cheap - either by starting at a community college and then transferring in, or by taking general ed classes at community colleges or public universities in the summer. </p>
<p>Happykid loved Columbia, the location is unbeatable right on the lake front, and her department there looked terrific. However, the aid package (as expected) was non-existent, so she is transferring elsewhere. Columbia College Chicago really, truly has almost no financial aid available. You are wise to start at your local community college so that you can afford to go there for your junior and senior years to finish your degree.</p>
<p>Wishing you much success!</p>
<p>Thank you for you’re help! My dad and I went to visit Columbia College Chicago last month at an open house, and it seems like the kind of school I’d love to go to. I also met quite a few people who were transfers rather than incoming freshman, so that says a lot as well, I think. Anyway, thank you for the advice!</p>
<p>Maybe take a summer course there while you work on your general education courses at community college. You can talk to both schools about which courses will transfer.</p>