Forty-four percent of students enrolled at the Columbia University School of General Studies transferred after attending community college. In honor of National Transfer Student Week, we are highlighting many of our students and alumni who transferred to GS, as well as offering insight into the unique role that community colleges play in making higher education possible for nontraditional students.
Friday Forum: Transferring to GS
Led by a Columbia GS admissions representative, this online information session will cover important details about transferring to GS, including academics, the admissions process, and upcoming deadlines. Participants will also have the opportunity to submit questions.
Friday, October 24, 4 - 5 p.m.
Register
Transfer Student and Alumni Profiles
Maricopa Community College
The GS Transfer Student Community, By the Numbers
Community Colleges in New York
GS has forged a strong relationship with New York City and Tri-State community colleges, attracting hundreds of high-achieving students seeking a rigorous, Ivy League education. 28% of transfer students at GS come from New York City, and 45% come from the Tri-State area.
CUNY Scholar Sacha Telfer '22GS reflects on her community college experience at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and what it was like transferring to Columbia.
Before enrolling at GS, Paola Cruz '22GS attended LaGuardia Community College and participated in the CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP).
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, PTK has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. More than 3.8 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges.
Scholarships are available each academic year to PTK members, based on the student’s academic merit and financial need. Last year, PTK scholars received nearly $1.5 million in aid from GS.
After graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School and enrolling in a private college on the west coast, financial hardships made Samantha rethink her plans. She came back to New York and attended Borough of Manhattan Community College while working multiple jobs to pay off her student debt. After earning her associate's degree, Samantha welcomed a daughter and began researching ways to achieve her dream of attending an Ivy League college. She found the Columbia School of General Studies (GS) and knew it was the perfect fit. Today, as a Columbia graduate, she's showing her daughter that "a dream deferred is not one you need to throw away."
Enrollment data as of October 1, 2025
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