Hi! Not trying to stress everyone out (because I understand how overwhelming this ungodly process can be) but if you are worried about your SAT/ACT score: retake it! Just try! If you study hard and raise your score (even by 50 points) that’s still impressive!
Good Luck Everyone. 
Disclaimer: I am by no means qualified to give advice I just want to try and help everyone out.
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I am also hoping to transfer to Columbia for fall 2019. But in terms of SAT scores, I’ve heard that you should just submit your HS ones because getting a higher score in college is not impressive as the SAT is to see if your “college ready” and your score should improve if you’re in college already from where it was in HS.
i also have an average SAT score (1280?) so i was thinking whether to retake it but my college counselor told me not to… and that my current 4.0 GPA and ECs will be more important. still debating tho 
@leanne07
Are there any SAT’S administered before the March 1st deadline? Because I thought the first SAT of 2019 passed the application deadline.
Hey guys, so I took the ACT 5 times in high school due to a combination of really bad life choices and the fact that they were free (low income). The scores I got were 27, 28, 30, 30, 30. I didn’t study as hard as I should have and just sort of blew them off, a fact I’m regretting a lot now. I don’t have the option of score choice as my high school has a policy of reporting all standardized test scores. I am studying hard for the ACT on Feb 9 and I am confident that I can score higher but I’m wondering at this point whether it’s even worth it? 5 already looks bad but a higher score would look better…? My other stats are in range and I have a pretty good high school record. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Nevermind, I’m not applying. Good luck to all those who are applying!
Hello! Currently a first year looking to potentially apply to transfer, though I realize my chances are slim. I’m looking to apply to as a philosophy/math major.
I’m not sure if I’m a unique/compelling applicant. If I had to be honest, I feel like as much as I’m trying, my essay writing skills aren’t the best. Looking for any words of advice/opinions.
High School:
Went to a specialized school in NYC that was super competitive, even though I had a decent GPA it was still relatively average
98 GPA W (Wasn’t told UW GPA on report card)
1500 SAT (790 Math), 750 Math 1, 780 Math 2
AP Psych (4), AP US (4), AP Calc BC (4), AP World (3)
ECs:
Music Prod Club (VP) (Grade 11, 12)
Hackathon Club (Grade 11)
Robotics (Grade 10)
Won 2 Hackathons (Grade 10, 11)
Spent most of my time with music production and programming at home
Extensive knowledge of industry software, songwriting, synthesis, audio engineering
Know around 7 programming languages
Wrote some software to read my textbook and answer practice problems in order to create study guides
Wrote “bespoke” audio software for someone in the music industry, required me to teach myself some calculus and engineering concepts
College:
Just finished my first semester at a CUNY
Honors program (includes full ride)
Haven’t technically declared a major yet, unofficially Mathematics though I’ve been obsessed with Philosophy after taking a class my first semester
3.88 GPA (3 A’s, 2 A-’s)
ECs
Have a major leadership position in one of the school sponsored organizations
Spent a lot more time with Music Production/Audio Engineering
Recently grew a decent following on a music platform for my artist project
Currently self-employed doing commissioned audio work for clients online
My favorite professor, who is writing me an LoR, is an alumni though I’m not sure that makes much of a difference.
Was diagnosed with ADHD but I won’t be discussing it as I feel like I’ve been able to compensate for it (somewhat) while unmedicated. I don’t want to look like I’m using it as an excuse. Currently unmedicated.
Don’t really like it here because the academic environment is focused on business and is more interested in career prospects than academics. Many departments outside of business are lacking in classes and resources. Many majors that are found at most schools simply don’t exist. It’s also a commuter school which I don’t really enjoy but I’m not going to discuss that in my responses.
@Halofax I’m also at a CUNY hoping to transfer!
@firenation1254 Oh cool! I’ll message you.
@wisco9033 Your grades are a little subpar, as I’m sure their will be tons of kids with perfect college grades applying. What are you passionate about? You seem a little all over the map?
Hi everyone! I am a Freshman at a large public university right now, applying to transfer to Columbia (among others) in the fall of 2019 as a rising sophomore. I had stellar grades/involvement/great ACT in high school, and I have had incredible grades/EC’s in college! I’m posting my stats below. Do any of you know someone who transferred to Columbia? My boyfriend is a sophomore at Columbia, but not a transfer so he truly isn’t much help in that aspect of this process!
*** I did not apply to Columbia as a high school senior! I am transferring because my university is not challenging and offers me literally no opportunities to get to where I want to be in my career! I hope to attend law school after undergrad and go on to a career in public interest advocacy. ***
STATS
HIGH SCHOOL: large public high school (#1 in the state), class of over 600, top 15%
GPA: unweighted 3.967; weighted 4.02
ACT: 32 (36 English, 35 Reading, 27 Math (ouch), 31 Science) superscore is 33
AP’s: APUSH and APworld (A’s in both, passed Ap tests)
completed 12 credit hours of dual-credit enrollment at local university during senior year (4.0)
EC’s
2 years of varsity sport
founder of nonprofit that donated prom dresses to underprivileged girls at my high school
organizer (3 years) of my high school’s large philanthropy event ($2mil raised over 3 years)
60 + volunteer hours with 2 organizations for women with special needs
worked as a sales associate at Kendra Scott
worked as an assistant teacher at a local Montessori daycare
volunteered with CMNH
National Honor Society
Yoga club officer/treasurer
practiced/performed Italian opera
AWARDS
Academic Bar Award
Academic Letter of Excellence
Varsity Athletic Letter of Excellence
Salutatorian of Class of 2018
COLLEGE: Oklahoma State University FRESHMAN, Political Science major; Philosophy minor (honors college)
GPA: 4.0 (President’s Honor Roll)
HOURS: completed 27, enrolled in 12 currently (one upper-division)
EC’s
Internship with national nonprofit for women with special needs– based in NYC (Director of Content Writing)- honors hours
Research Assistant for Poli Sci department chair- honors hours
President of the Freshman Student Council of the College of Arts & Sciences
Active Member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
volunteer for CASA (15 hours/semester)
Freshman Follies (biiiiiig musical/philanthropy event, 30 hours/week for 8 weeks)
AWARDS
Regent’s Distinguished Scholar (2nd best merit scholarship)
Freshman Research Scholar (OSU’s freshman research is HARD to get into)
My best letter of ref is coming from a professor last semester that basically encouraged me to transfer, and I know it will be a strong letter. The second is from another professor, but won’t be as strong. My essays are very well-written and clearly convey my reasons for transferring, as well as hit on Columbia’s core, diversity, small class sizes as benefits!
Here are the other schools I am applying to (in no order):
Barnard
NYU
Brown
Yale
Georgetown
George Washington University
American University
Penn
Honestly, I am not sure how much of a chance I have at admission. I am a white female from Oklahoma, and my parent’s EFC is $56,000 (based on FAFSA). I would like to think that my qualifications are all admission will be based on, but that is naiive! I do feel that I am extremely qualified and well-prepared to succeed at Columbia, especially after visiting campus at least once a month for the past year (hahah we love a good long-distance relationship). Anyways, I’m stressing myself to death about the whole transfer process because I absolutely refuse to spend another semester at my current school, and if I don’t get into one of the schools on that list, I am not sure what my path will be! (if you read all the way through this, you deserve to go to Columbia <3)
I have a question about filling out financial aid, is it the same as when we applied in HS. Do I need to indicate anywhere that I am applying as a transfer? And do i need to fill out the CSS profile again and submit it?
and when filling out the common application when asked for total credit i think do we include the total for the classes in spring semester, for example if you have 12 credit hours now but then you are enrolled for an additional 12 do I list total credit hours as 24?
Hey everyone! I am currently a junior at Columbia. I transferred into the school last fall from a community college in Washington state. I was just lurking through College Confidential when I saw this thread and I thought I’d jump in (I posted a bit in last year’s transfer thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21520752/#Comment_21520752).
I would be happy to answer your questions! I do apologize if I respond sporadically but I will do my best.
@ianmalclm Hi! I am from the same country as you and I am from WA state college, too. Do you take you SAT when you’re in high school or when you’re already in college?
Hey @taylor99 Great stats! You really are involved with your school and show yourself to be academically successful. However, your extra curriculars don’t really show what you are interested in/ don’t give any inclination on what you want to do with your career. This is when essays come in. Really try to figure out what makes you different and really go after it. Always remember, everyone’s stat are pretty good that’s why they are applying. So think, what makes you different? I really relate to your stats and background so as I was writing my essays I was thinking of what adjective would the admisisons team give me (1 word). As long as it’s anything but “boring” or “weak”, then you did your job. Wish you luck! I am sure you will do fantastic with the schools you definitely have a great chance!!
Does anyone know how much weight is placed on the Midterm Report?
Hello fellow Columbia hopefuls, I am also applying to Columbia this Fall for Astrophysics as a Junior. I felt like I could share some of my stats and get some feedback on our journey.
College Stats:
GPA: 4.0
Physics and Mathematics double major
48 credits completed as of right now, and 64 at the time of transfer
Current School: Southern Illinois University (IL)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 106 / 120
Relevant courses taken:
Calculus I (4 cr, A)
Calculus II (4 cr, A)
Calculus III (3 cr, A)
Intr. to Diff. Equations (3 cr, A)
University Physics I with lab (3+1 cr, A’s in both)
University Physics II with lab (3+1 cr, A’s in both)
Theoretical Methods in Physics (3 cr, A)
Honors Chemistry with lab (4+1 cr, A’s in both)
College EC’s:
University Honors Program, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Society of Physics Students, few community services, served as executive member for International Student Council for one year and international Registered Student Organization since Fall '17, some merit and departmental scholarships.
Co-authored a research paper, and been involved in research for over a year.
High School Stats
New SAT: 1420 (640 - EBRW, 780 - Math)
GPA: 4.0 (WES credential evaluation) - international high school
No AP’s
High School EC’s:
Few community services, few awards, Science and Technology Club.
Anybody can tell me my chances? I am an international student requiring a lot of financial aid need.
@Hirahera oh wow that’s cool!! i took my ACTs the third semester of comm college