Counselors

As the college application season gains momentum, we recognize and commend the valuable work of counselors and other high school educators in supporting their students. In our shared mission to open doors to higher education, we want to provide support as you and your students navigate the college admissions process. 

Students walking down the glass ramps in Lerner Hall

Updates for the Upcoming Year

  • Find your 2025-2026 regional officer assignments here. Please reach out to ugrad-ask@columbia.edu if your regional representative is unclear or not yet assigned.

  • Students can easily determine their fee waiver eligibility and receive an application fee waiver.

  • Columbia is test optional, and students are at no disadvantage in our process if they do not submit scores from standardized tests. For students who choose to submit standardized tests, we will accept the new ACT with or without Science. Please review our standardized testing policy for additional details.

  • Students are welcome to submit Schoolhouse.world certifications as an optional supplement to their application, including the Dialogues program. We continute to welcome other supplements as well, including academic research and creative portfolios.

  • Interviews with alumni are not a part of our application process.

  • Our Columbia-specific application questions are an essential part of our contextual review, inviting each applicant to convey who they are as a unique individual.

  • Students may utilize a wide range of resources, tools and support during the college admissions process. Regardless of the tools and support they may use, we expect that all submitted application materials are their own original work and reflect their authentic voice. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with Columbia’s Honor Pledge & Honor Code and Generative AI Policy, which all enrolling students are expected to uphold.

  • We can extend deadline flexibility to students who are experiencing extenuating circumstances, such as community disruptions, wildfires, hurricanes and other natural disasters. We will also accept supporting documentation from counselors and teachers after the application deadline without the need for school staff to request an extension.

Fit for Columbia

If you are a counselor, teacher or school administrator supporting a student’s candidacy for admission to Columbia, you may be interested in reviewing the following to help orient you when advising a student on their fit for Columbia.

A Columbia admissions officer explains how we review applications and the philosophies that guide our work.

Affordability and Aid

Columbia offers some of the most generous financial aid of any college in the United States, and students are often surprised by how much they receive. Our first-year students receive an average of $77,908 in financial aid and scholarships, and students whose families make under $150,000 a year are offered free tuition, while students whose families make under $66,000 a year can expect a $0 parent contribution.

$240 million

in grants and scholarships

No loans

Loans are not used to meet financial need or included in initial financial aid awards

$0

expected parent contribution for students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $66,000 (and typical assets)

4 years

guaranteed campus housing

More resources