Every year, a considerable number of students from community colleges in the United States of America hope to make the move to Ivy League schools. Thorough research goes a long way in making such shifts. Let us know which Ivy Leagues accept community college transfers.
The good news is that all ivy leagues- Brown University, Cornell University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Yale University, Harvard University, and Columbia University- allow such transfers.
However, there are a few catches. Their terms and conditions vary, as do the acceptance policies and rates, for community college transfers. Not all Ivy Leagues are similarly friendly to such moves. Let us take a look at each Ivy League school:
1. Brown University:
A school actively seeking students with extracurricular interests, Brown happens to be enthusiastic about community college transfers. They accept between 100 to 250 community college students every year. In the year 2021, the acceptance rate was 4.3 per cent for transfers.
Eligibility: Students who have completed one year of college as full-time students.
When to apply: The only transfer application deadline each year is March 1, but students can choose to transfer at the beginning of the fall or spring semesters.
2. Cornell University:
Like Brown, Cornell also supports community college transfers. In 2020, 21.5 per cent were community college transfers.
Eligibility: Students who have earned 12 credits or more since graduating high school or are enrolled full-time at another college.
When to apply: March 15 is the fall semester’s application deadline, and October 15 is the application deadline for the spring semester.
3. Dartmouth:
Unlike some other schools, Dartmouth is generally strict about community college transfers. However, in 2020, there was a surprising 28.6 per cent acceptance from community colleges.
Eligibility: Students who have college matriculation or have completed a maximum of two years worth of course work.
When to apply: Dartmouth accepts applications through their own college portal, with the community college transfer deadline set on March 1 every year.
4. Harvard University:
Maintaining the reputation of being a difficult school to get into, Harvard accepts only 1 per cent of all the transfer applicants, with a select number of community college students making it into that category.
Eligibility: Students with only liberal arts curriculum can make such transfers. They should have completed somewhere between one to two years as full-time students, enrolled in such a course.
When to apply: Harvard University has a set deadline of March 1.
5. University of Pennsylvania:
UPenn accepts nearly two hundred transfers each year, but the recent transfer rate has dropped to a little under five per cent.
Eligibility: Students who have completed 8-16 academic college courses which are transferable, in one or two years.
When to Apply: The deadline is usually March 15 every year, but if one is submitting a fine arts supplement, the deadline is March 20.
6. Princeton:
With the relaunched transfer programme in place, Princeton is ready to accept community college transfers. However, it maintains a strict acceptance rate of 1 per cent.
Eligibility: Students who have completed a minimum of one entire college semester.
When to Apply: The completed application, transfer supplement and graded written paper have to be submitted latest by March 1.
7. Yale:
Like Harvard, Yale is extremely difficult to get into, with transfer rates being as low as 1.7 per cent in the year 2020. However, out of nearly all the transfers that Yale accepts are from community colleges.
Eligibility: Students who have between 8 to 18 Yale credits are eligible to apply. This means they should have transferable college credits worth one year but no more than two years.
When to Apply: The deadline for application is March 1.
8. Columbia University:
Columbia has a strict transfer policy overall, with the acceptance rate being fewer than 10 per cent of all those who apply.
Eligibility: Students who have completed or are registered for one year as full-time students or have completed 24 credits.
When to Apply:
The deadline is March 1.
Basic Planning Required: Some universities accept applications through the Common Application, whereas some do so through the Coalition Application. Some also need specific essays accompanying the application. Since these rules are subject to change and the college application process is lengthy in general, one has to keep a lookout for minor details which can make a lot of difference. One has to maintain the required grades necessary for such transfers, as well.
Conclusion:
As we have seen, community college transfers are possible and can be made easier with some basic planning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Do students actually manage to get their bachelor’s degree in six years?
The short answer to this question is yes. However, it is not always easy. In general, 15 per cent of community college transfer students manage to complete their undergraduate studies in six years’ time.
- Do community college transfer students perform well in Ivy Leagues?
Of course! Like in any academic course, it all depends on how well you adapt, irrespective of your background. Once you are accepted, you are just like everybody else.
- How will I pay for my education once I have been accepted for transfer?
Ivy League schools offer fantastic financial aid options for their students. There are secondary options available as well. Rest assured, your education will not face any trouble because of your financial condition!
