Transfer to Columbia University: The 3-2 Combined Plan 

Are you a liberal arts college student planning to transfer to Columbia University? If yes, then you can apply for the 3-2 Combined plan.  This program enables students to continue an engineering discipline at Columbia. The 3-2 Combined Plan Program is often called a “hidden gem” because not many students are familiar with this.

Let’s take a closer look at what this program entails and who are eligible to apply for such.

3-2 Combined Plan Program: Transfer to Columbia University

3-2 Combined Plan Program is a guaranteed transfer agreement between Columbia University’s School of Engineering and several liberal arts colleges. Under this plan, students study in liberal arts colleges for three years and then have the option to transfer to Columbia for two years to pursue an engineering major. After completion of the program, students will receive two bachelor’s degrees, a B.A. degree in liberal arts, and a B.S. engineering degree from Columbia.

This program was established because many liberal arts colleges do not have an engineering program due to their small size and the high cost of operating engineering programs. Also, Columbia University desires qualified students from liberal arts colleges to study in its institution. As a result, the 3-2 Combined Plan was established, and hundreds of students from various liberal arts colleges take advantage of this program every year.

The 3-2 Combined Plan guarantees students to transfer to Columbia University if they meet certain requirements. There is no cap set for the number of accepted transfer students. Every student who meets the guaranteed transfer requirements will be offered a seat at Columbia University,

General Requirements for the 3-2 Combined Plan Program

As stated on the university’s website, “Students who fulfill certain requirements are guaranteed admission [as a transfer to the engineering program]”. These requirements include:

1. Attended an affiliated liberal arts school for three years
2. Pre-engineering GPA of 3.3 or higher*. Students obtain a 3.0 (B) or higher in pre-engineering science and math courses.
3. Three favorable recommendations: one recommendation each from a science professor, math professor, and Combined-Plan liaison
4. Completion of specific prerequisite courses for the major you will be studying in Colombia (different prerequisite courses for mechanical, chemical, civil, etc.)
5. Completion of the major and minor requirements by liberal arts colleges.
6. For international students, 100 score on TOEFL or 7.0 on IELTS

*Note: Students with a GPA lower than 3.3 may apply to Columbia as a transfer, but admission will not be guaranteed.

List of Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges with Columbia University

Many liberal arts colleges have a guaranteed transfer agreement with Columbia University. Only students from the affiliated liberal schools can take advantage of the guaranteed transfer admissions program. If you are a student at one of the affiliated liberal arts colleges then this is your chance to apply.

Pros of 3-2 Combined Plan Program

1. Liberal Arts education prepares students for the rigorous engineering program at Columbia University. Since liberal arts colleges are small in class size, professors and students have more direct interaction with each other. As a result, students are more committed to their studies. More often than not, the qualities they acquire while studying at a liberal arts college are praised by the 3-2 Combined Plan’s coordinator.
2. Columbia’s engineering program offers an excellent education and is considered one of the best engineering schools in the world.
3. 3-2 Combined Plan Program is way cheaper compared to a student who has been enrolled since their freshmen year at Columbia. However, this holds true for students who have received huge scholarships from a liberal arts college.
4. It is another chance for students who were denied at Columbia earlier.

Cons of 3-2 Combined Plan

1. Students have to study an extra year to receive two bachelor’s degrees.
2. 3-2 Combined Plan might be more expensive for students with little to no scholarship awards since students will have to pay for the extra fifth year.
3. Students might not want to leave their college after their junior to transfer to another university. Many students who intended to transfer to Columbia at first did not end up transferring simply because they did not want to leave their home institutions.

Financial Aid Available for Combined 3-2 Plan Students

Columbia University does not offer any merit-based scholarships, it only offers need-based scholarships to its students. For domestic students, the university does not guarantee that it will meet 100% of the demonstrated need. As for international students, financial aid is available but it is limited.

The 3-2 Combined Plan Program is a great opportunity for students aiming to obtain two bachelor’s degrees, especially for those dreaming of pursuing a degree at Columbia. Check out the requirements needed for this program, if you are eligible, then try your luck by submitting the documents on time. This may be the start of your new journey to achieving your academic aspirations.

We hope this article on the 3-2 Combined Plan was helpful. Check out the Guide to Studying in the US and Available Programs for International Students for more study options!