Columbia University Complete Information
Transfer Applicants
The admission process for transfer applicants differs from that for regular admission applicants
Application Requirements
- You must have completed at least one year of full-time undergraduate study before you can apply to transfer to Columbia.
- You must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credits you have completed at your current school.
The Coalition Application
The Coalition Application is a common application for transfer students to use. The application is available through the Common Application website and can be completed in about 40 minutes. It also costs nothing to submit, so if you do not have access to an online portal or know someone who does, this would be a good option!
The Coalition Application is used by over 600 colleges and universities across North America, including Columbia University (which we'll talk more about later).
Columbia-Specific Application Questions
In addition to the general application questions, Columbia University asks applicants a series of questions specific to the school. These are:
- What are your academic interests?
- Why did you choose to apply to Columbia?
- What are your career goals?
- What do you believe makes you a good candidate for Columbia?
Admissions officers use this information as part of their holistic review process. Your answers will help them determine whether they think this particular school is right for you, so they must know about all aspects of who you are and what inspires your passions!
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Transcripts
Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities you have attended. If you have been a student at another institution since your last attendance at Columbia, please also submit an official transcript of your work at that school.
Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to Columbia University in a sealed envelope with the name of the school, the student’s name, and the term of enrollment printed on it.
School Forms
Applicants applying as transfer students must submit a completed School Forms packet.
These forms can be found on the Columbia, Coalition, and Common Application websites. If you’re applying through an independent college counsellor or service provider such as IvyWise or College Prep 360 (see below), they will provide these forms in your application materials. If you are using one of these services but did not receive them from them directly, please get in touch with us for further assistance.
2 College Academic Recommendations
You are also asked to provide two academic recommendations. The first recommendation should come from a high school counsellor or another academic professional who can speak to your academic ability, work ethic, and potential for success at Columbia. The second recommendation should be written by a professor in a college-level course that you have taken and in which you have excelled.
Standardized Tests
All Columbia College and Barnard College applicants must submit either the SAT or ACT. The test is required, even if you have already taken it under another name (such as AP exams).
If you’re applying to the School of General Studies (SGS), your standardized test scores will be considered if submitted, but they are not required.
Transfer Applicants Eligibility
To be eligible for admission as a transfer student, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have completed at least 24 credits of college-level coursework from a regionally accredited institution.
- It would help if you had a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all transferable coursework attempted. This includes grades earned in any repeated courses.
- Most of your coursework must have been completed after graduation (60% or more).
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is awarded for courses completed with a grade of C or higher. Transfer credit is not granted for courses completed with a grade of D or F. Students who have yet to earn an associate’s degree must meet their degree requirements before transferring to Columbia University. Students who have earned an associate’s degree may transfer as many as 30 credits toward their bachelor’s degree, provided they also meet any other admission requirements outlined in this section (for example, if you are applying as an undergraduate transfer applicant).