Transfering Into Columbia???

[trapper]

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Hi, anyone have any insight into this question???

Here's a quick summary of my situation: I'm a first year med student at a "top-ten" med school, and I like my school. However, my girlfriend is moving to New York, and I would really like to be with her; if I move to New York with her, I will ask her to marry me. So, the only option I'm considering is transfering over to Columbia Univ for second year (which is hypothetically possible).
I applied to Columbia last year, got an interview, but didn't get in. However, by the numbers at least, I should have gotten in, and I think I'm pretty well rounded. I really did like Columbia, and probably would've chosen Columbia had I gotten in. So far, from what I've heard, one student has dropped out of the class so far.
But, career comes first; if I can't transfer into columbia, I will stay at my school.

While I'm far from actually making this decision, it is something I'm seriously considering, and would like any input from anyone on this. Biggest question of course is: how are my chances? But, I'd appreciate any other comments/considerations, specific or general.

Thanks to all.

 

[normalforce]

most schools will not let you transfer until MSIII. Ie, they will consider taking you after you pass USMLE I.

Normalforce

 

[trapper]

I know Columbia is one of few schools that does accept transfers into second year. Also, my school and Columbia have very similar curriculums for first year, so that might make things easier, I hope...

 

[WatchingWaiting]

E-mail and ask. Your girlfriend will probably have to be upgraded to fiance or wife before they'll consider that a strong personal reason though.

 

[VCMM414]

Hey trapper,

I don't mean to come off sounding flip, but I think perhaps you can and should also consider other NYC schools if you are indeed serious about your relationship. NYC has so many excellent schools, why limit yourself to Columbia? While Columbia may be the only "top 10" NYC school according to USNews, Cornell, Sinai, NYU, and Einstein are nevertheless all very good schools that you shouldn't overlook given your situation.

I myself was in a similar situation last year when deciding between my acceptances, and I chose my gf over the "higher ranked" school. I was (and still am) very happy with my decision, both because I would be with my gf and also because I would still be going to a very good "top 20" school. The importance of companionship and happiness simply cannot be underestimated. Having said that, I probably would have had a tougher time deciding if I had to choose between a top 10 and an unranked school, as pathetic as it might sound...

I feel that you are in the same sort of situation I was in last year. I urge you to consider other top NYC schools, especially since your relationship is at a point where you feel ready to take the next big step (mine wasn't). Seriously, whatever differences there may exist between your current top 10 school and NYU/Cornell/etc. are pretty insignificant in light of everything else that is involved here. You can get a top-notch education at ANY of these schools; they definitely all have very strong reputations within the medical community.

Ultimately, transfers are extremely rare at the medical school level, so you may want to consider all the possible ways to maximize your chances.

Don't forget what is most important to you, and go with your gut. Good luck with your decision.

 

[LuckyMD2b]

I apologize in advance, but I'm pretty cynical when it comes to situations like this...

How far is your current med school away from NYC?

I think that if your relationship is serious enough for you to consider marriage, it should be able to survive 100 miles or so.

Also, how come you have to transfer med schools to be with her? Did she not know that you would be going to school in a different state? You should consider the possibility that maybe she wants some space or some BS like that, and she just can't tell you to your face or something.

I don't want to be overly negative, but I think you should consider some of this stuff before you start changing your life around.

Also I personally liked Cornell 100 times more than Columbia

 

[trapper]

No apologies necessary Lucky, I need some cynicism here to make sure I don't do something stupid...

Anyhow, I'm well over 100 mi away from NYC, and if I end up staying at my school, that's going to be another three years of a long distance relationship, which is stressful on any relationship.

As to why she's going to NY (which isn't 100% yet btw), she's applying to school, and there is no school for what she wants to do near where I am. Unfortunately, out of the schools I got into, there weren't any that matched up with places she might end up. And, we're both the type of ppl that career comes first (at least for now), and wouldn't ask the other to drop their future for each other.

As to why I'd only like to apply to Columbia, I heard that it this transfering process is a biiiiig pain, especially since there has to be a lot of communication between schools. So, I figure I would limit this down to one school. Also, I don't know if Cornell/NYU/etc accept first year transfers as the other schools do. Finally, Columbia is the only NY school I interviewed at and am familiar with. So, as of now, that's why I've only considered Columbia, but again, I'm still a looooong ways away from making any kind of decision.

thanks though

 

[ERMudPhud]

My wife and I were in almost your exact situation a few years ago. I was MSTP at Columbia and she was one year behind me in the 8 year PLME program at Brown. She applied to transfer to Columbia after 1st year since the curriculum at Brown and Columbia were virtually identical first year. My advice is to contact every med school in NYC and explain your situation and then apply to any that give you positive feedback-it wont' be many and you want to both maximize your chances and make it clear that you are serious about transferring. If your girlfriend is at the Columbia health sciences campus it would help a lot. It is possible but you have to convince them that the relationship is very serious and hope there happens to be an opening in the class

 

[chef]

hey ermudphud, so was your wife successful in transferrin to columbia?

 

[Entei]

Hi, trapper. I wasn't aware that anyone dropped out from the first year class already, but you should definitely call the office over here to find out more information and let them know your situation.

I remember from the Columbia Class of 2007 thread in pre-allo that some SDNer did manage to transfer into Columbia, but he was going into third year, not second.

Good luck!

 

[SistaKaren]

Yeah Entei, we've had someone drop. But it was because of a very non-controversial circumstance. You know, whatever that means. 😉

 

[BlackPuma]

Originally posted by Entei
Hi, trapper. I wasn't aware that anyone dropped out from the first year class already, but you should definitely call the office over here to find out more information and let them know your situation.

I remember from the Columbia Class of 2007 thread in pre-allo that some SDNer did manage to transfer into Columbia, but he was going into third year, not second.

Good luck!

wait, how did he transfer into 3rd year? doyou have the link please?

 

[Entei]

D'oh! I was going to go back and edit my post, but Karen beat me to it. 🙂

Here's the old pre-allo thread.