The SAT Subject Test in a foreign language is meant to demonstrate your achievement in a language that you have learned in school. You should recognize that if you have native fluency in a language, an SAT Subject Test can be put to better use by showcasing a different academic talent.
Testing
May I take the SAT Subject Test in my native language?
The SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject tests are not available in my country. May I still apply without these exams?
If you live in a country, such as the People’s Republic of China, in which SAT and SAT Subject Test exams are not available, you are not required to take the exams in order to apply for admission.
May I submit the ACT instead of the SAT and/or SAT Subject Test scores?
You may submit ACT scores in place of SAT and SAT Subject Test scores, but remember that the writing component offered by the ACT is mandatory for candidates for Columbia. Even if you are submitting the ACT, we would still welcome SAT Subject Test scores if they were taken. If you have a specific area of academic interest, we recommend that you submit a Subject Test score in that area of interest if one is available.
What standardized tests are required for first-year admission?
Information on standardized testing requirements is found on the Required Standardized Testing page.
What are the final test dates that can be used for the application?
Early Decision candidates
The November test date is the latest acceptable test date on which scores may reach us in time. More information about Early Decision.
Regular Decision candidates
Scores for January tests are generally received in time for consideration, but it is strongly advisable to take testing no later than December. Testing taken in February or later cannot be considered.
Is there a minimum test score, class rank or GPA required for admission to Columbia?
No. Columbia does not have a “cut-off” GPA or test score for applicants. For detailed information on the statistics of the most recent entering class, go to the Admissions Statistics page.
What is Columbia looking for when evaluating students for admission? What are the criteria for admission?
The Columbia University first-year class College and Engineering students is chosen from a large and diverse group of applicants. Columbia employs a holistic approach in assessing candidates in order to judge which students are the best matches for Columbia’s unique educational experience.
In the process of selection, the Committee on Admissions considers each applicant’s academic potential, intellectual strength and ability to think independently. The Committee also considers the general attitudes and character of the applicant, special abilities and interests, maturity, motivation, curiosity and whether he or she is likely to make productive use of the four years at Columbia. In its final selection, Columbia seeks diversity of personalities, achievements and talents, and of economic, social, ethnic, cultural, religious, racial and geographic backgrounds. Each applicant’s academic record is examined, together with reports on personal qualities that have been supplied by the principal, headmaster or counselor and by teachers. The student’s record of participation in the life of his or her school and community is also important, as is his or her performance on standardized tests.
Is there a different application for international students?
No. The admissions process for applicants applying with citizenship or schooling outside the U.S. is nearly identical to the general admissions process for all other candidates. The only differences are:
- If your high school does not employ a U.S.-based system, your school must submit the International School Supplement to the Secondary School Report.
- If your home language is not English and if your primary language of instruction has not been English for at least five years, you are required to take an English proficiency examination, either the TOEFL or IELTS.
- Financial Aid application
- If you are applying for financial aid, different financial aid applications are required for international students. The Office of Financial Aid has detailed information for first-year applicants:
Please visit International Admissions for more information.
Should I ever “rush” my test scores to Columbia?
No! Please do not utilize the “rush” service in sending your test scores to Columbia. Doing so does not speed up the processing of your test scores. We obtain all testing via secure websites to which we are provided access by the appropriate testing agency.
Should I send my AP/IB test results to Columbia?
AP and IB test results are not necessary for application to Columbia, although the information when available may be helpful in assessing a student’s academic achievements. Students who seek to gain credit for AP or IB results should know that credit is granted only after a student is enrolled at Columbia and at the discretion of individual departments.
My native language is not English. Do I have to take an English proficiency exam?
To be considered for admission to Columbia, you must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English. If your home language is not English and if your primary language of instruction has not been English for at least five years, you are required to take an English proficiency examination. Both of the examinations listed here are given all over the world, several times a year; you must take the examination no later than December of the school year in which you are applying:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). You are urged to visit the TOEFL website as quickly as possible for more information on this examination. A minimum score of 100 (Internet-based test) or 600 (paper-based test) is necessary for admission to Columbia. Your score must be reported directly to Columbia by the testing service, using report code 2116.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You are urged to visit the IELTS website as quickly as possible for more information on this examination. A minimum score of 7.0 is necessary for admission to Columbia. Your score must be reported directly to Columbia Undergraduate Admissions.
- If you have a 650 on either the Critical Reading or Writing section of the SAT, you are exempt from taking an English proficiency examination.