Yes, Columbia considers all interested finalists to the QuestBridge National College Match program, regardless of citizenship status.
QuestBridge
Can students who are undocumented apply to Columbia through QuestBridge?
Will Columbia accept the QuestBridge application in place of the Common Application or Coalition Application?
Yes. In addition to the QuestBridge Application, Columbia requires that an applicant complete the Columbia QuestBridge Questionnaire.
If you are not identified as a Finalist and are interested in applying to Columbia, you must submit the Common Application or Coalition Application.
Does Columbia provide fee waivers for the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile service provides fee waivers to qualifying domestic first-time, first-year students from families with low incomes and limited assets.
Eligibility for fee waivers is automatically assessed at the time you submit the CSS Profile, and the waiver covers the costs of the registration fee for up to eight school reports. Please contact the College Board with any additional questions regarding CSS Profile fee waivers.
Columbia does not offer additional fee waivers to domestic students.
If you have additional questions regarding the financial aid process, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing at ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu or 212-854-3711.
Do you offer a fly-in program or travel funding for prospective QuestBridge participants or scholars?
We do not have fly-in programs for prospective applicants or QuestBridge scholars. You are always welcome to visit our campus for a campus tour or information session as well as any open houses or events we host on or off campus throughout the year. You can find more information on the Visit section of our website.
Can I track my QuestBridge application online?
Since QuestBridge processes your application and forwards documents to us on your behalf, we cannot provide you with online tracking. Please note that someone from our or QuestBridge’s office will be in touch if we are missing a part of your application.
We do provide tracking information for financial aid documents. Instructions for tracking this information will be emailed to you after you have submitted your application.
I am not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. Can I apply for the QuestBridge National College Match with Columbia?
Yes, Columbia will consider students who are not US Citizens or Permanent Residents for the QuestBridge National College Match.
Non-citizens and international students are an integral part of the university and Columbia is deeply committed to enrolling a student body that includes students from around the world. We do not have a separate application or process for international students. Please refer to our website for more information.
How does the QuestBridge College Match work with Columbia?
You will find a detailed list of required documents on the QuestBridge website under the Columbia University College Match Requirements. Columbia is a college partner with QuestBridge. In addition to the QuestBridge application, the admissions and financial aid offices require students to submit additional information directly to Columbia University.
Admissions Requirements: All students that are interested in attending Columbia must also file the Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with the Columbia-specific questions. Please refer to this webpage for information about applying to Columbia. All students must apply online.
Students should submit their application to Columbia under Regular Decision if they wish to be considered for the National College Match. Please select "Regular Decision" under Entry Term when filling out your application. If you are matched with Columbia through QuestBridge, your application status will automatically switch to Early Decision. Please note that if selected as a College Match with Columbia, the admission contract is binding and students are expected to attend Columbia the following fall. In addition, students must withdraw all other applications. During the evaluation process for the College Match, the Columbia admissions committee will consider both your QuestBridge application and the Common Application or Coalition Application.
Financial Aid Requirements: All students that rank Columbia through the National College Match must submit the following financial aid information by November 1, 2016:
- 2017-2018 CSS PROFILE online (including Noncustodial PROFILE, if applicable). Columbia's CSS code is 2116.
- 2016 Tax Returns & W2s
- Parent or Guardian's most recent 2017 pay stubs
These documents should be faxed to (212) 854-5353 ATTN: QUESTBRIDGE as soon as possible and no later than November 1, 2017.
Is the QuestBridge Match Process binding?
Yes, the National College Match at Columbia University is binding.
If I become a QuestBridge Finalist and I am not matched, will Columbia consider my QuestBridge application for admission to Columbia during Regular Decision?
If you have submitted a completed application to Columbia as a QuestBridge finalist, you will automatically be considered for Regular Decision admission unless you contact Columbia and withdraw your application or are matched with another college or university.
If I am not named a finalist in the QuestBridge College Match Program, may I apply to Columbia?
Yes. Many QuestBridge students will not participate in the Match Process and will pursue admission to Columbia under our Early Decision or Regular Decision programs. Please explore our general requirements and deadlines for more information.
Students who are not selected as Finalists must submit the Common Application or Coalition Application. Columbia does not accept the QuestBridge application in lieu of these applications.
Please note that you may submit the essay you composed for the QuestBridge application for your Common Application or Coalition Application if the content is appropriate for the essay prompts.
If I am a QuestBridge Finalist, do I need to submit an application fee?
If you are a QuestBridge Finalist, the application fee will be waived. QuestBridge will verify names of all Finalists with Columbia. In the Common Application/Coalition Application member-specific questions for Columbia, please answer affirmatively to the following question: “Columbia provides a fee waiver for students who applied for the Columbia Engineering Experience (CE2) and QuestBridge finalists. Do you qualify for one of these fee waivers?”
If you are not a QuestBridge Finalist, an $85 nonrefundable fee is required as part of an application to Columbia University. If paying the application fee is a significant financial burden for your family, we encourage you to request a fee through your admission application. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage an applicant in any way. For first-year applicants, an email will be sent to the counselor or school official designated on your application to verify your eligibility. You can review information about application fees and waiver eligibility on our website.
If I am not admitted to Columbia through the QuestBridge Match Process, what kind of financial aid will be offered?
All of Columbia’s financial aid is need-based. All financial aid packages, including those of QuestBridge Finalists participating in the Match process, are based on demonstrated need. Our financial aid packages for those in Regular Decision will be determined in the same way as for those students who were selected through the College Match. Columbia meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all students admitted as first-years, regardless of citizenship. Loans are not a component of Columbia financial aid packages and we will continue to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need for all four years of study. For more information please refer to the Columbia/QuestBridge scholarship package description. For more information, please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing website.
Is testing required for QuestBridge applicants?
Standardized tests are required for admission according to the following guidelines. The application review process for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is rooted in the belief that students are dynamic, multi-faceted individuals who cannot be defined by any single factor to determine their suitability for admission. We are always seeking to give students the greatest opportunity to showcase their academic talents and hoping to make the testing experience as stress-free as possible.
- You may choose to take either the ACT or the SAT.
- You may self-report your scores on your QuestBridge Application. We are also able to accept score reports directly from your school via email or mail, if your school's policy allows.
- Columbia does not require the optional writing section.
- If you take an exam more than once, you will be evaluated on the highest score you received in any individual section.
- You may take standardized tests as late as October for the QuestBridge National College Match and February for Regular Decision.
- Non-native speakers should refer to our English proficiency testing requirements, which are in addition to the ACT or SAT, not a substitute.