Joint Travel refers to information sessions offered in conjunction with other universities. These give students the opportunity to hear from multiple universities so they can form a better understanding of which school represent the best fit for their intellectual and personal goals. Currently, Columbia participates in joint travel with Brown University, Cornell University, Rice University and the University of Chicago; this travel group is known as Exploring Educational Excellence.
Visiting Campus
What is Joint Travel?
Does Columbia perform any outreach efforts away from New York?
Columbia has a presence around the world through our outreach efforts. Prospective students will be able to meet current admissions officers at local high school visits, college fairs, community-based organization sessions, Introduction to Columbia information programs and at information sessions offered jointly by Columbia and other colleges. Our efforts are supplemented by members of our Alumni Representative Committee who attend college fairs and other events on Columbia's behalf. Please go to Columbia Visits You for more information on upcoming programs around the world.
When are tours and information sessions offered?
Tours and information sessions are offered throughout the year on a varying schedule. For the majority of the year, information sessions that are approximately one-hour long begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are followed by the general tour at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Please consult the Visit section of this site for specific information on the day that you choose to visit.
I am interested in athletics at Columbia. How do I arrange a meeting with a coach?
Please visit the Columbia Athletics website, search for the sport you are interested in, and click on "Recruit" to complete the form that will be sent to the team's coaches.
I am interested in speaking with a faculty member, is this possible?
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions works closely with faculty and we collaborate for both admissions review and in outreach to admitted students. As prospective students, we encourage you to direct specific academic questions to Admissions at ugrad-ask@columbia.edu.
How can I find out if Columbia will be visiting my town?
Columbia admissions officers travel to various parts of the country and the world throughout the year, but the majority of our travel occurs during the fall. If you want to know if Columbia will be visiting a location near you, please visit the Columbia Visits You page.
Are there information sessions offered in my country, and where can I find the schedule of such events?
You can determine if Columbia will be visiting a location near you by reviewing Columbia Visits You.
My family does not speak English. Does Columbia provide information in other languages?
Columbia provides self-guided walking tours in five other languages to accommodate families that do not speak English. Copies of these self-guided walking tours are available in the Visitor Center.
I do not think I can visit Columbia. Is there a way in which I can get a sense of the campus?
We provide an virtual tour that allows prospective students and families throughout the world to gain a better understanding of campus. The tour is led by Columbia students who describe academic and student life on Columbia's historic Morningside Heights campus in the middle of New York City.
How do I arrange to sit in on a class?
Class listings and dates are available online and at the Visitor Center in 213 Low Library. No reservations are necessary. You may call the Visitor Center at 212-854-4900 to discuss your options if you have a specific date and area of study in mind. On the day that you wish to visit a class, you must go to the Visitor Center to pick up a class ticket.
How do I arrange an on-campus overnight visit?
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions does not provide overnight accommodations for prospective students, but you are welcome to stay on campus as a guest of a friend. Alternatively, please refer to our Visitor Information page for a list of hotels and housing options that are within commuting distance to campus.
What hotels do you recommend that are easily accessible to campus?
There are a number of hotels within easy access to campus. For addresses and phone numbers, see Visitor Information.
Where is the Visitors Center? And where is the Office of Undergraduate Admissions?
The Visitors Center can be found at 213 Low Library. Guests should go to the Visitors Center for all questions regarding Columbia, including checking in for information sessions and campus tours.
Low Library is located in the center of campus, a magnificent domed building facing south toward College Walk-which is a continuation of 116th Street. The Visitors Center is immediately on your left as you enter the building.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located at 212 Hamilton Hall. Hamilton Hall is on the southeast corner of College Walk at the heart of campus.
How do I get to campus?
Please consult our Directions to Campus and Parking page to learn how to get to campus.
Are there any other events offered on campus for prospective students?
Throughout the year Columbia holds many other events that provide a more focused understanding of academic and residential life. These sessions require an RSVP for attendance. Please consult the Events page for information about such specific events held on campus.
I am interested in speaking with a current student, is this possible?
Current student leaders in the Undergraduate, Multicultural and Global Recruitment Committees welcome your questions. To speak with a student directly, please email ugrad-ask@columbia.edu.
Do I need to make an appointment to attend an information session or tour?
Reservations for information sessions and campus tours are strongly recommended and required for groups over 10.
If your plans have changed, you do not need to formally cancel your reservation.
The Visit section is designed to help you plan your visit to Columbia.
What is Columbia’s policy on admissions interviews?
Volunteer members of Columbia's Alumni Representative Committee (ARC) conduct interviews throughout the world from October through February every year on behalf of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. However, because we have a finite number of alumni and current student volunteers to interview the many thousands of candidates, we are unable to grant interviews to all of our applicants and can provide absolutely no guarantee that an interview will be available in any given area. Please note that interviews will be offered only in the area where your high school is located; if you have finished high school and no longer live in the vicinity, an interview will not be available to you.
After you submit the Common Application or Coalition Application, your name and contact information are provided to the interviewers in your area; if an interviewer is able to meet with you, you will be contacted directly by e-mail or by phone. Interviews are not offered on campus. Some applicants may be offered interviews via phone or video chat if an interviewer is not able to meet in person – please know that all types of interviews have equal weight in the interview process.
Candidates who are not offered an interview are not at any disadvantage in the admissions process. Because the actual assignment of interviews is not conducted by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, we respectfully ask that you do not call or write to inquire about receiving an interview. You will be contacted directly if an interview is available in the same area as your high school.
Interviews are not available for transfer candidates.
Applicants from China
Columbia recommends that applicants attending high school in China schedule admissions interviews with InitialView or Vericant. Interviews must be scheduled, completed and submitted to Columbia by November 15 for Early Decision or January 15 for Regular Decision. Given the ratio of applicants to alumni interviewers in China, the interview with InitialView or Vericant will take the place of an alumni interview for most candidates. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly should InitialView or Vericant fees present a hardship for you and your family. Both InitialView and Vericant also offer fee waivers.