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Transferring to Columbia: your chances, deadlines and credits

2027 application cycle. Last updated . By The founders of Stairly

Columbia transfer acceptance rate

Columbia's transfer acceptance rate for fall 2025 was 9.2%. 357 transfer students enrolled. The first-year rate the same year was 4.9%.

Source: Official school data report, section D, 2025-2026

Transfer applicants, fall 2025
  • Applied4,909
  • Admitted453
  • Enrolled357
Share admitted, same year
  • Transfer applicants9.2%
  • First-year applicants4.9%

The Common Data Set is the official data report colleges publish each year.

Transfer and first-year applicants are different groups. Use the first-year rate as context only.

A rate this low tells you how few seats exist. It says nothing about you. No GPA makes this safe.

That total includes the 3-2 Combined Plan in Engineering: 208 applicants, 137 admitted, 113 enrolled. Take those out and Columbia admitted 316 of 4,701 applicants.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Our read: Those are two different doors. If your college does not have a Combined Plan arrangement, the smaller count is the one that describes you.

School of General Studies

Transfer students who applied
1,488
Transfer students admitted
794
Transfer students who enrolled
409
Transfer admit rate
53.4%
First-year admit rate, same year
31.1%

Source: Official school data report, section D, 2025-2026

General Studies files its own report and has different rules. It takes fall and spring entry and sets no minimum credits. Its priority dates are January 15 for fall and September 1 for spring. Its closing dates are May 15 and November 1.

Source: Columbia General Studies Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Our read: Do not blend this rate with the one above, and do not treat General Studies as a back door. Read who it is for on its own site before you apply.

Source: Columbia School of General Studies, current page

What Columbia looks for

Columbia College and Columbia Engineering need at least 24 credits before you can apply as a transfer. Short of that, you apply as a first-year.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Entry is fall only. There is no spring round for these two schools.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

An essay, high school and college transcripts, and a statement of good standing from your current school are required of everyone. Interviews and test scores are not required.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Our read: With no interview and no required test, your transcript and your writing carry the file. Columbia's report does not say how it weighs them. Its transfer page is where the committee speaks for itself, so read it before you write.

Source: Columbia transfer applicants, current page

Our read: College and Engineering report as one group, but you apply to one. Choose before you write, because the reasons that fit one will not fit the other.

Transfer essays and supplements

Columbia requires an essay or personal statement from every transfer applicant to the College and Engineering.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Our read: Get the current prompt and length from Columbia's transfer page. Then use the essay to say what changed since you started college and why this school is the next step. Name the school you are applying to.

Source: Columbia transfer applicants, current page

Your grades are mostly set. Your essay is not. Get a free review against the six things a transfer essay has to do.

AI models process your essay. See how we handle it.

Transfer requirements

Columbia requires an essay and a minimum number of college credits. It does not require SAT or ACT scores or an interview.

  • EssayRequired

    Required of every transfer applicant.

    Source, 2025-2026

  • SAT or ACT scoresNot required

    The 2025-26 Common Data Set (p. 22) lists standardized test scores as not required for transfer applicants.

    Source, 2025-2026

  • Minimum credits before you applyRequired

    Applicants must have at least 24 credits. Common Data Set p. 21.

    Source, 2025-2026

  • InterviewNot required

    Not required.

    Source, 2025-2026

Transfer deadlines for fall 2027

For fall 2027 entry, the last day to apply is March 1, 2027.

Source: Columbia University (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering) transfer information, 2025-2026

Our read: There is one date. Missing it costs you a full year, because the next entry point is the following fall.

Will your credits transfer?

Each course needs a C or better.

  • Most credits, Columbia College

    Up to 64 credits

    Lowest grade accepted: C. Maximum credits and lowest transferable grade for Columbia College, two-year or four-year. Common Data Set p. 23.

    Source, 2025-2026

  • Most credits, Columbia Engineering

    Up to 68 credits

    Lowest grade accepted: C. Maximum credits and lowest transferable grade for Columbia Engineering, two-year or four-year. Common Data Set p. 23.

    Source, 2025-2026

  • What you must finish there

    Transfers must complete at least 60 credits at Columbia to earn a bachelor's degree. Common Data Set p. 23.

    Source, 2025-2026

The lowest grade that transfers is a C. Columbia College accepts up to 64 credits and Columbia Engineering up to 68, from two-year or four-year colleges. Either way you must finish at least 60 credits at Columbia.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Our read: Those are ceilings, not promises. Do not assume a course fills a Columbia requirement until the school says so in writing.

Build a full list

Our read: Most applicants here get a no, whatever their grades. Apply to schools that admit far more transfers and that you would truly attend.

  • Apply to schools across more than one tier. Do not build the list around one long shot.
  • Keep your grades up this term. Most transfer readers see your latest work.
  • Decide now what you do if every answer is no. Staying and finishing strong is a real plan.

Questions students ask

Can I start at Columbia in spring?

Not at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Both are fall only. General Studies does take spring entry.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026; Columbia General Studies Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

How many credits do I need?

At least 24 for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. General Studies sets no minimum.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026; Columbia General Studies Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Do I need the SAT or ACT?

The 2025-2026 report lists test scores as not required for transfer applicants to the College, Engineering or General Studies. Check Columbia's page for your own entry year.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026; Columbia General Studies Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

When will I hear back?

The report lists May 15 as the notification date and May 31 as the reply date for College and Engineering applicants.

Source: Columbia College and Engineering Common Data Set, section D, 2025-2026

Sources

Numbers come from official reports, read by our tools and checked. Notes were drafted with AI tools from the official pages linked beside them. A person has not reviewed this guide yet. Admission decisions belong to each college, and no one can promise one.

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