Frequently Asked Questions (for Transfer Students)

Questions

1. I am unsure of my application status. How do I know if I should apply as freshman or as a transfer?
2. Must I have a minimum number of credits in order to transfer?
3. What are you looking for in a transfer applicant?
4. How many students are admitted as transfers?
5. May I transfer for the spring semester?
6. I have been in college for some time. Do I still have to submit SAT/ACT scores?
7. How heavily do my high school record and standardized test scores weigh in the decision-making process?
8. My native language is not English. Do I have to take an English proficiency exam?
9. Are there specific classes that I must take prior to transfer?
10. I attend a college/university outside of the United States and Canada. How do I know if it is “U.S.-style?”
11. If admitted, may I defer my acceptance?
12. Are interviews available for transfers?
13. I have already earned a Bachelors degree (or its equivalent). Am I eligible to apply to Columbia as a transfer student if I would like to earn a second degree?
14. I have attended more than one college. Can I just submit a transcript from the school I am currently attending?
15. How do you determine which of my credits will transfer?
16. Will college courses I took while in high school count toward the transfer credits you will accept?
17. Will I know how many of my credits have transferred before I have to deposit?
18. I currently attend a community college. Should I wait until I receive my Associates degree to transfer, or can I transfer without it?
19. I’m not sure if transferring is the right option for me. Can I attend Columbia as a Visiting Student and then transfer?
20. How can I get a paper application?
21. I am interested in the arts at Columbia. Can I send in a portfolio or sample of my work?
22. I have taken some time off from school. May I still apply as a transfer?
23. What is the Core?
24. Do I have to take the Core curriculum, even if I’ve already taken similar courses at my current college/university?
25. May I study abroad as a transfer?
26. I am interested in your HEOP program. As a transfer, am I eligible for the program?
27. May I study part-time?
28. Will I be able to stay an additional semester or year if I need to complete requirements for graduation?
29. Is housing guaranteed?
30. Are transfers required to live on campus?
31. How do transfers get involved in campus life?
32. Is financial aid need-blind?
33. Do you meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for transfers?
34. Are there any scholarships available for transfers?
35. If I previously applied to Columbia, will my application roll over?

Answers

1. I am unsure of my application status. How do I know if I should apply as freshman or as a transfer?
   If you have received your high (secondary) school diploma and have begun taking college courses, you must apply as a transfer student. If you are applying to Columbia College and have taken a break of more than one year from college, you should submit an application to the School of General Studies. Applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science should proceed with this transfer application regardless of any break in schooling.
2. Must I have a minimum number of credits in order to transfer?
   To be eligible to enroll at Columbia, you must have completed, or be in the process of completing, the equivalent of one full academic year, typically a minimum of 24 credits.
3. What are you looking for in a transfer applicant?
   Our evaluation of transfer applicants is a holistic process. We consider the strength of the applicant’s academic record (both in high school and college), standardized test scores, extracurricular involvement, the letter of recommendation and the essay.
4. How many students are admitted as transfers?
   Due to the high retention rate in both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, there are usually very few spots in the sophomore and junior classes. As a result, we typically admit fewer than 10 percent of those who apply for transfer admission each year. Though the number varies from year to year, in recent years, we have admitted roughly 100 transfers from over 1,300 applicants.
5. May I transfer for the spring semester?
   No. We do not accept applications for January/spring enrollment from transfer candidates.
6. I have been in college for some time. Do I still have to submit SAT/ACT scores?
   Regardless of how long you have been out of high school or in college, all transfer candidates must submit standardized test scores. You must take or have taken either the SAT or ACT, and the scores must be directly reported to Columbia by the appropriate testing agency. If you have previously taken the SAT Subject Tests, those scores must also be officially reported; if you have not taken the SAT Subject Tests, you do not have to take them.
7. How heavily do my high school record and standardized test scores weigh in the decision-making process?
   Due to the timing of the transfer process, we are generally unable to consider grades earned in the second semester of the year of application; thus, high school grades, rigor of program and standardized test scores are all important in the evaluation of transfer credentials, especially for students applying for sophomore standing. If you have applied to Columbia previously, the documents you provided at that time will not roll over; you must resubmit any information requested by this transfer application.
8. My native language is not English. Do I have to take an English proficiency exam?
   If your native language is not English and your primary language of instruction has not been English for at least five years, you are required to take an English proficiency examination, either TOEFL or IELTS.
9. Are there specific classes that I must take prior to transfer?
   There aren't any courses that are strictly required for admission as a transfer. We require a minimum of 24 credits, or the equivalent of one academic year, to transfer. If you are applying to The Fu Foundations School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), we would certainly hope to see strong math and science preparation (Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, etc.). SEAS recommends that prospective transfers follow a course of study similar to our First Year-Sophomore program. If you are applying to Columbia College, we recommend only that you take courses that are similar in content to courses offered in Columbia College. You should familiarize yourself with the appropriate course bulletin to get a sense of which courses might be appropriate.
10. I attend a college/university outside of the United States and Canada. How do I know if it is “U.S.-style?”
    A college is considered to be "U.S.-style" if courses are offered in similar terms to U.S. colleges (i.e. quarters, semesters, etc.), you will receive a grade for each course in each term, and you will also receive an English-language transcript. If your school is not U.S.-style, as defined above, you must apply as a first-year student, by the appropriate Early Decision or Regular Decision deadline.
11. If admitted, may I defer my acceptance?
    Transfers are not permitted to defer admission. If you wish to begin your studies a year later than the term for which you were originally admitted, you must re-apply for admission, submitting a new application and all new supplemental documents.
12. Are interviews available for transfers?
    It is not our policy to interview prospective transfer applicants. Therefore, you should use the application as the appropriate platform to discuss and/or explain anything that you feel is of particular importance.
13. I have already earned a Bachelors degree (or its equivalent). Am I eligible to apply to Columbia as a transfer student if I would like to earn a second degree?
    You are not eligible to apply to Columbia College. Instead, you must apply to the School of General Studies. Applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science should proceed with your transfer application.
14. I have attended more than one college. Can I just submit a transcript from the school I am currently attending?
    No. You must submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.
15. How do you determine which of my credits will transfer?
    Courses may be eligible for transfer credit if they are analogous to undergraduate courses offered in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, and you have received a grade of C- or better.
16. Will college courses I took while in high school count toward the transfer credits you will accept?
    Credit will not be awarded for courses taken while in high school, even if they were taken at a college or university. However, we will award credit for qualifying scores on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams (typically, scores of 4 or 5 on AP exams; 6 or 7 on Higher Level International Baccalaureate exams).
17. Will I know how many of my credits have transferred before I have to deposit?
    If admitted, you will receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE), informing you of how many credits you have (tentatively) been awarded. Final credit approval will not be granted until all final official transcripts from previous institutions have been received and been reviewed by your advising dean and/or academic department.
18. I currently attend a community college. Should I wait until I receive my Associates degree to transfer, or can I transfer without it?
    You may certainly apply to transfer without having received an Associates degree.
19. I’m not sure if transferring is the right option for me. Can I attend Columbia as a Visiting Student and then transfer?
    Visiting Students to Columbia College may not subsequently apply for transfer admission. Also, you may not apply simultaneously as a transfer and as a visitor.
20. How can I get a paper application?
    Paper applications are not available. Transfers must apply online.
21. I am interested in the arts at Columbia. Can I send in a portfolio or sample of my work?
    We request that the submission of supplementary credentials be kept to a minimum. However, there may be occasions where such credentials provide information that the standard application does not. As a result, some recommendations are detailed below.
    
    Please note that we specifically ask that you do not send collections of award certificates and the like and explicitly direct that you refrain from submitting your application in binders or folders.
    
    Be sure to include your name, Columbia ID number or Social Security number (if applicable) and secondary school on each item you provide, and understand that such materials become part of your application and will not be returned to you.
    
    Creative and Performing Arts
    Musical performance compact discs should include two works contrasting in period and tempo. The disc should clearly indicate the type of submission: jazz, piano, voice, or instrumental (please indicate the instrument). The disc must list the composer, name of the work and any movement title or opus number. Discs should be limited to no more than 20 minutes in length and should not include any biographical or introductory material.
    
    Artistic slides should be kept to one page and highlight the best work in your portfolio.
    
    Please note that while professional resumes which detail your artistic involvement in dance, film, or theatre are welcome, digital video discs (DVD) and video cassette tapes (VHS) will not be reviewed.
    
    Finally, please be advised that while we welcome the submission of such credentials (providing they follow the directions outlined above) and we often request that our faculty evaluate submitted supplements; we can provide no guarantee that such materials will actually be reviewed or evaluated (as they are not required for the admission process).
    
    Science and Engineering
    If you have been involved in scientific research and you are interested in pursuing a career in the sciences or engineering at Columbia, we welcome a one-two page scientific abstract you may provide for our review.
22. I have taken some time off from school. May I still apply as a transfer?
    Potential applicants to Columbia College who have taken a break of more than a year in their education (with the exception of those who must complete national military service) should consider instead Columbia’s School of General Studies; the same is true for students who wish to attend a part-time program. Applicants to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science should proceed with this transfer application regardless of any break in schooling.
23. What is the Core?
    The Core Curriculum is the cornerstone of a Columbia education. Central to the intellectual mission of the Core is the goal of providing all Columbia students, regardless of their major or concentration, with wide-ranging perspectives on significant ideas and achievements in literature, philosophy, history, music, art and science.
    
    The Core Curriculum consists of the following:
    
    Literature Humanities
    Contemporary Civilization
    Art Humanities
    Music Humanities
    Foreign Language
    University Writing
    Global Core
    Physical Education (plus swim test)
    Science
    
    Columbia College students must complete the entire Core Curriculum. Students in The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science take either Literature Humanities or Contemporary Civilization or Major Cultures and either Art Humanities or Music Humanities. They must also complete University Writing.
24. Do I have to take the Core curriculum, even if I’ve already taken similar courses at my current college/university?
    The Core is the cornerstone of undergraduate academic life at Columbia. Even those transferring in with advanced credit should expect to take elements of the Core, if not all of it. Students are very rarely exempt from Core classes like Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, Art Humanities and Music Humanities.
25. May I study abroad as a transfer?
    Your ability to study abroad depends quite a bit on your class standing when you enter Columbia, and your remaining degree requirements. If you enter Columbia as a sophomore, the possibility of studying abroad is greater. If you enter Columbia as a junior, it is unlikely that you will be able to study abroad. Regardless of your class standing, this is a conversation you should have with your academic adviser as soon as possible.
26. I am interested in your Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). As a transfer, am I eligible for the program?
    In order to be eligible for HEOP as a transfer, you must currently be enrolled at a similar program in New York State.
27. May I study part-time?
    You cannot study part-time in either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. If you wish to study part-time, you must apply to the School of General Studies.
28. Will I be able to stay an additional semester or year if I need to complete requirements for graduation?
    Students are expected to graduate within eight semesters, including time spent at another college or university. Students are typically not permitted to extend their undergraduate studies unless they are enrolled in one of our Joint Degree programs (e.g. the Combined Plan).
29. Is housing guaranteed?
    As a transfer, you will be guaranteed housing during your time at Columbia, unless you choose to move off-campus at any time, at which point the housing guarantee is forfeited.
30. Are transfers required to live on campus?
    Transfers are not required to live on campus.
31. How do transfers get involved in campus life?
    Transfers become fully-integrated members of the campus community. This begins during your first days at Columbia, through our New Student Orientation Program. In addition to the many clubs and organizations available to you, the Columbia University Transfer Alliance is also a resource to help new students acclimate to campus life.
32. Is financial aid need-blind?
    For United States, Mexican and Canadian citizens, permanent residents of the United States and students granted refugee visas by the United States: Admission to Columbia College and to the undergraduate division of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is need-blind. This means we will consider your application without regard to your financial need.
    
    For foreign students (students who are NOT United States, Mexican and Canadian citizens, permanent residents of the United States or students granted refugee visas by the United States): Financial aid is available for foreign students, but candidates should be aware that their applications are read in a more selective process than are other candidates’.
33. Do you meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for transfers?
    While we do not guarantee that we can meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted transfer students, Columbia recently announced extensive enhancements to its undergraduate financial aid program.
    

    
    Some of the announced enhancements will extend to transfer students. Most notably, transfer students receiving financial aid will not be packaged with loans. In addition, transfer students will be eligible to apply for the summer and academic term work exemption program and have their work expectation eliminated during their study abroad term. Due to the limited funding available for transfer students, we will be unable to extend the reductions in parent contributions to transfer students.

34. Are there any scholarships available for transfers?
    There are no academic, athletic or talent-based institutional scholarships at Columbia, as all of our institutional financial aid is need-based. However, our students are often the recipients of merit-based scholarships from outside organizations (stategrants/scholarships, local/national merit-based awards, etc.).
35. If I previously applied to Columbia, will my application roll over?
    If you have applied to Columbia previously, the documents you provided at that time will not roll over, so you must resubmit any information requested by this transfer application. (Note: Standardized testing previously sent by the College Board or ACT does not need to be resubmitted.