General Credit

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 for Columbia College or B or better for Columbia Engineering. Credit will be transferred as general degree credit, unrelated to any specific requirements. 

Term Counts

Transfer students must graduate in eight semesters, including terms completed before entering Columbia. You are assigned a class standing and an expected graduation date based on previously completed academic work. Note that some majors may be more difficult to complete and students are not granted extra time to complete a specific major.

Maximum Points

At least 124 points are required for graduation from Columbia College; at least 128 are required for graduation from Columbia Engineering. Since Columbia requires that a minimum of 60 points toward the degree be earned at Columbia, you may not enter with more than 64 points in Columbia College or with more than 68 points in Columbia Engineering. Up to 16 points granted on the basis of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other standardized examinations will count towards the 64/68 point maximum (official score reports are required). Note that Columbia University does not grant credit for any college courses that you took before graduating from high school.

Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE)

Admitted students receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) outlining how many credits have been tentatively awarded. Final credit approval will not be granted until all final official transcripts from previous institutions have been received and reviewed by the Center for Student Advising.

Petitions

Transfer students enrolling in Columbia College may petition for exemption from certain Core courses on the basis of relevant transfer credit. The three most common areas to receive exemptions are University Writing, Global Core, and Science.  Petitions must be submitted for review by a preferred deadline of July 23 or a final deadline of October 1.

Transfer students enrolling in Columbia Engineering may also petition for exemption from certain courses (non-technical “Core” courses as well as foundational science courses).  Students receive petition instructions from the CSA over the summer and can submit petitions for review by a preferred deadline of July 23 or a final deadline of October 1.

Major/Concentration Course Approval

Course approval for your major/concentration needs to be carried out by a departmental representative in your intended department. Transfer students will have an opportunity to speak with departmental representatives at the Academic Resources Fair during New Student Orientation, and to continue those conversations during the first year.