Application Requirements

Please review our Application Instructions carefully before beginning an application. Please note that Columbia only accepts the Common Application, and that all candidates must apply online.

Please also be sure to review What Does Columbia Look For in a Candidate?

The following are required components of a complete application:

  • The Common Application, which includes:
    • Autobiographical information
    • $80 application fee (or fee waiver from a school official)
    • Lists and descriptions of a student’s achievements, activities, employment and summer activities
    • One personal statement
  • Columbia Supplement to the Common Application, which includes:
    • One short answer response regarding interest in Columbia
    • One short answer regarding interest in either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering
    • Additional Columbia-specific short answer questions
  • Secondary School Report
    • An official high school transcript from all high schools attended
    • One high school counselor’s recommendation and school profile
    • The completed Mid-Year School Report
  • Required Standardized Testing
    • SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores (for Engineering applicants, Math 1 or 2 and Biology, Physics or Chemistry) or the ACT Assessment with Writing
    • English proficiency examination score (if necessary)
  • Two Teacher Recommendations
    • These recommendations must come from teachers who taught you in academic disciplines
    • For engineering applicants, one must come from a math or science teacher

Additional components of the application which may make it complete:

Please note that Columbia reserves the right to evaluate an application and render a final decision even if all pieces of the application have not been received.

Advice from Students

“It is important to find the college that best suits you, academically and socially. You should try and figure out what you are looking for, and what different schools have to offer (size, setting, majors available, student-faculty ratio, emphasis given to undergraduate education, and so forth). Although it seems daunting trying to find your home for the next four years, anywhere you go there will be some positives and negatives, it’s all about finding the place that has the most positives for you.”

“When you are visiting a school, try to talk to as many current students as possible. Are they people you could see yourself being friends with? Can you see someone you would like to be in an upperclassman? ”

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