Columbia University is highly selective, with a sub-4% acceptance rate for first-year students. However, the university is more welcoming to transfer applicants, accepting between 400 and 500 transfer students each year. The Columbia transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2022 was 11.3%, with 341 students admitted out of 3,008 applicants. The university requires several documents for transfer applications, including high school and college transcripts, test scores (SAT or ACT), and letters of recommendation. While Columbia University is test-optional for transfer applicants, submitting test scores can improve one's chances of acceptance.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Transfer application requirements | Completed transfer application form, $85 application fee or fee waiver request, official high school transcript, official college transcript, Coalition Application Transfer Report, Coalition Application Curriculum Report, two college academic recommendations, optional standardized tests |
Transfer deadline | 1 March |
Minimum number of credits | 24 |
Minimum GPA | 3.5 |
Acceptance rate | 11.3% for Fall 2022 |
Average SAT score | 1500 |
What You'll Learn
- Columbia University accepts around 6-14% of transfer applicants
- Columbia requires a minimum of 24 college credits
- The application deadline for transfer students is March 1
- The transfer application requirements include high school and college transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and an essay
- Columbia Engineering transfer applicants should have completed two semesters of calculus and physics and one semester of chemistry
Columbia University accepts around 6-14% of transfer applicants
Columbia University is an extremely selective institution with a sub-4% acceptance rate for first-year students. However, the university is more welcoming to transfer applicants, with an acceptance rate of around 6-14%. For instance, for Fall 2022 entry, 3,008 students applied for transfer admission, and 341 were admitted, resulting in an 11.3% acceptance rate. The previous year, the acceptance rate was even higher, at 14.7%.
Columbia University typically accepts between 400 and 500 transfer applicants each year, which is a significantly greater number than some other highly selective institutions. The university aims to welcome over 125 transfer students annually, from a range of two- and four-year institutions, valuing the unique and diverse perspectives they bring to the community.
The transfer application process at Columbia is holistic, considering a variety of factors beyond grades and test scores. However, it is highly competitive, with a limited number of spaces available in the sophomore and junior classes. Columbia University seeks students with strong academic records, meaningful contributions to the university community, clear articulation of goals, and notable achievements.
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Columbia requires a minimum of 24 college credits
To be eligible for enrollment as a transfer student at Columbia University, you must have earned a minimum of 24 college credits. This is equivalent to one year of full-time study at another institution.
Transfer students are expected to complete their Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in six full-time semesters if they enter Columbia College as sophomores, or four full-time semesters if they enter as juniors. The last two semesters must be taken while enrolled at Columbia College, on their Morningside campus, or on one of their Columbia-sponsored international programs.
Transfer students must complete a minimum of 60 points while enrolled at Columbia College, which can include credits earned on Columbia-sponsored study abroad programs. They may apply a maximum of 64 points taken elsewhere toward advanced standing at the College. This includes credit granted on the basis of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other standardized examinations, as well as credits earned at Columbia in the summer before matriculation and on study-abroad programs outside of Columbia.
Columbia College students are required to be full-time students and must therefore be registered for a minimum of 12 points of credit per term.
Transfer students are expected to take most of the coursework in the Core Curriculum, if not all of it. They are very rarely exempt from the shared Core classes like Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, Art Humanities, and Music Humanities.
Transfer students must declare a major that they are capable of completing in the time available to them while at Columbia College. Some majors may be difficult to complete due to the number of credits required, the specific course sequencing, and the number of terms remaining for transfer students to complete all requirements for the Core Curriculum and for the major.
Transfer applicants must use the Coalition Application to apply for admission to Columbia. They must submit the following:
- A completed transfer application
- $85 application fee or fee waiver request
- An official high school transcript from all high schools attended
- An official college transcript from all colleges attended
- The Coalition Application Transfer Report
- The Coalition Application Curriculum Report
- Two College Academic Recommendations
- Standardized tests (optional)
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The application deadline for transfer students is March 1
The application deadline for transfer students to Columbia University is March 1. This deadline is for all academic programs and is also the deadline for financial aid applications.
Columbia University welcomes over 125 transfer students each year from a range of two- and four-year institutions. The transfer application process is competitive, with Columbia admitting fewer than 10% of transfer applicants annually.
The transfer application requirements include the Coalition Application, the Columbia Supplement to the Coalition Application, transcripts, academic recommendations, and optional standardised tests. Transfer applicants must have earned a minimum of 24 points of credit (equivalent to one year of full-time study) at another institution.
The application deadline of March 1 is an important date for prospective transfer students to keep in mind. It is the deadline for both the admissions application and the financial aid application.
Prospective transfer students should also be aware that Columbia University does not accept applications for spring semester enrollment. The university only admits transfer students for the fall semester, and the application deadline for fall enrollment is March 1.
The application process can be lengthy, and it is important for students to submit all required materials by the deadline. Transfer applicants should carefully review the application requirements and ensure they have allowed sufficient time for their materials to be processed.
The March 1 deadline is a key date in the transfer application process for Columbia University. It signifies the point by which all application components must be submitted for consideration. Students should also be mindful of other important dates in the admissions process, such as the release of admissions decisions and the deposit deadline for admitted students.
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The transfer application requirements include high school and college transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and an essay
Transferring colleges can be a complex process, but understanding the requirements is a great first step. Here is a detailed breakdown of the transfer application requirements for Columbia University, including high school and college transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and an essay.
Transcripts
For your application to Columbia, you will need to submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges you have attended. This includes online coursework, non-degree coursework, and courses you enrolled in but later withdrew from. If you have earned fewer than 60 college credits, both your high school and college transcripts will be considered. However, if you have earned 60 or more credits, your college transcripts will be the primary focus.
Test Scores
Columbia University is test-optional for transfer applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. This means submitting SAT or ACT scores is not mandatory. However, if you choose to submit test scores, you may self-report your results and send them by the March testing dates.
Recommendations
You will need to include two letters of recommendation from college instructors as part of your transfer application to Columbia. These recommendations should come from college professors who have taught you in a college course. If possible, build relationships with your professors by attending office hours and participating in class, making it more likely they will write you a positive letter.
Essay
While the Coalition Essay is not required, Columbia University asks applicants to upload a 400-600 word essay explaining their reasons for transferring from their current institution. This essay should provide insights into why you wish to leave your current college and does not need to be specific to Columbia. Additionally, you will be asked to list texts, resources, and outlets that have contributed to your intellectual development outside of academic courses.
Other Requirements
Aside from the standard components mentioned above, Columbia's transfer application has several other requirements. These include the Coalition Application powered by Scoir, an $85 application fee or fee waiver request, the Coalition Application Transfer Report, the Coalition Application Curriculum Report, and the Columbia Supplement to the Coalition Application.
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Columbia Engineering transfer applicants should have completed two semesters of calculus and physics and one semester of chemistry
Columbia University is an extremely selective institution with a sub-4% acceptance rate for first-year students. However, the university is more welcoming to transfer applicants, accepting between 400 and 500 transfer students each year.
In addition to this, transfer applicants must submit the following as part of their application:
- Columbia Supplement to the Coalition App
- Official college transcript
- Official high school transcript
- ACT or SAT scores (optional for applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering through the 2023-24 cycle)
- Coalition App Transfer Report
- Coalition App Curriculum Report
- Two letters of recommendation from college instructors
Transfer applicants with the best chance of gaining admission will have:
- Earned exceptional grades in at least 24 credit hours' worth of college coursework (one year of full-time study)
- Completed a portion of the Core Curriculum in addition to discipline-specific courses
- Published academic research independently or with a faculty member at their current institution
- Excels outside of the classroom, for example, by winning an intercollegiate academic competition, developing an app, earning a patent, or achieving noteworthy accomplishments through a leadership role
To be eligible for enrollment as a transfer student at Columbia, applicants must have earned 24 points of credit (the equivalent of one year of full-time study) at another institution, or be registered to complete 24 points of credit by the time they enrol.
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Frequently asked questions
Columbia University is test-optional for transfer applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Transfer applicants who choose to submit test scores may self-report their results.
Columbia University requires a number of documents for consideration, including a high school transcript, an essay or personal statement, standardized test scores, and a statement of good standing from the previous institution. Additionally, Columbia University requires a minimum of 24 credits completed to apply as a transfer student.
The transfer deadline for Columbia University is March 1st for the fall semester, which is also the deadline for financial aid applications. Columbia does not accept applications for January/spring enrollment from transfer candidates.
The transfer acceptance rate for Columbia University varies year to year. For the fall of 2022 entry, the acceptance rate was 11.3%, while for the fall of 2021, it was 14.7%. On average, Columbia admits fewer than 10% of transfer applicants each year.