Columbia College
The College has no explicit number of unit requirements for admission, but applicants must present evidence that they are prepared for college work in the humanities, mathematics, social sciences, foreign languages and natural sciences. Accordingly, the College strongly recommends the following preparation:
- Four years of English literature and composition
- Three to four years of mathematics
- Three to four years of history and social studies
- Three to four years of one foreign language (ancient or modern)
- Three to four years of laboratory science
Students who plan to become scientists, engineers, physicians or dentists should be as solidly grounded in mathematics and the sciences as their high school schedules and curricula have permitted. The study of mathematics, at least through pre-calculus, is strongly advised wherever possible.
Modifying the preparatory program just outlined - by taking more work in some subjects and less in others - is not only acceptable but may be desirable in individual cases. The vast majority of successful applicants to the College have taken five academic courses per term for all four years of secondary/high school.
Columbia Engineering
The School of Engineering and Applied Science prescribes no standardized course of study for secondary school students applying for first-year admission. However, the Engineering curriculum is heavily driven by physics and calculus, so the school strongly advises these courses. The School does, however, strongly recommend the following academic preparation:
- Four years of mathematics (through calculus)
- One year of physics (preferably in the last two years of secondary school)
- One year of chemistry
- Four years of English
- Two to three years of a foreign language
- Three to four years of history and social studies
Related FAQ Topics: Applying