Is it relatively easy to transfer from one college to another?

I always really wanted to go to Columbia University. However, I could not get in to the class of 2008. I've followed Barack Obama's history quite carefully, and he transferred from Occidental College to Columbia after his sophomore year. Now, in his biography, it was said that his grades had fallen to the level that he could not get into other more top tier universities when he was in high school. But then he graduated to not only an Ivy, but a higher tier Ivy. What must one do to get into a school such as Columbia as a transfer student? What GPA must we maintain? And do they look at SAT scores once again? Is it possible to get into Columbia as a transfer student with a strong showing in certain activities in college and a high GPA? Is there something else needed?

Public Comments

1. Keep in mind that Barack Obama graduated almost 30 years ago, and times were VERY different then. It is nearly impossible these days to get into a school like Columbia as a transfer student, even if you were transferring from another Ivy League school. Sorry, but that is the truth. They have so many applicants that they don't bother much at all with transfer students. Activities won't make any difference at all. If you wanted to get into a lesser school, transferring becomes more possible. However, you can usually only transfer down or laterally in terms of quality, not up. In order to transfer up, you would usually have to have been able to be admitted originally as a freshman, but didn't go there for financial reasons. The easiest way of transferring in to a school (this works much better with public schools than private ones, though) is to go to a community college first.
2. Barack Obama may be young but college admissions has changed A LOT since his time. Transferring depends on many different factors, such as where you're coming from, where you're going, and what you're majoring in. For example, Columbia has a very prestigious engineering program. It would probably be more difficult to transfer into that major than a liberal arts major. If you are planning at transferring after your first year, it is possible that colleges will look at your high school grades and test scores to see how if you have continued to develop as a student. This can work in your favor if your college grades show improvement. To increase your chances of getting into Columbia, I would think of your freshman year as an extension of your high school career. You have to impress the admissions officers, so continue to work hard in your classes and participate in extracurriculars (preferably similar to the ones you participated in during high school, to show continued interest and commitment). Good luck!
3. SAT's aren't so important once you're in a university. It really just depends on what school within columbia you are applying to (engineering, liberal arts, etc.) to determine gpa requirements. Some schools also require a minimum courseload taken before you can transfer and depends on what school you are coming from. I would strive to keep my gpa above a 3.5-3.7 with a semi-difficult course load to transfer to Columbia.
4. After your first semester, SAT is void. Maintain a 3.8+ In today's world, that is what people...especially at good schools, want to see. Obama went to college during a time when it was easier to get in most places. He was also a minority, that helps.
5. It is harder to get into Columbia and other top schools as a transfer than as a freshman. Simply, few leave and transfer space depends on the number that does. Those telling you SAT score don't matter for transfer are wrong. They absolutely do. As does, of course, college GPA. They do also look at high school. The most important factor for transfer after you have the grades and scores is having a good academic reason for wanting the transfer. If you're studying something that Columbia is known for, and you're in contact with key profs who support your transfer, you have they key.