Frequently Asked Questions by Admitted Students

Congratulations on your admission to Columbia! We receive many emails from students during this celebratory time, so we’ve gathered the following information to help answer questions about what you can expect next as you plan for your enrollment at Columbia.

Academics

When do I register for classes?: First-year students register for classes during the New Student Orientation Program in August. Registration remains open through the second week of the semester, allowing students to adjust their selections after classes have begun.
Where can I see a list of courses I need to take for my major?: Please see the online bulletins for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering for detailed departmental information, including required courses for each area of study.
When is the first day of class?: The first day of classes is Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The mandatory New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) typically runs the week before Labor Day. Dates will be provided in the spring, and more details, including move-in instructions, will be sent to students over the summer. Please visit the Registrar's website for the academic calendar.
Are there placement tests I need to take? Can I receive credit for AP or IB scores?: Placement exams will be given during the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP). You will receive a list of all placement exams during NSOP. Typically, advising deans add AP, IB and other outside credit to your record the summer after your first year at Columbia, based on individual department policies. You will receive an Academic Planning Guide from the Berick Center for Student Advising before course registration, which will provide specific guidance about whether you may place into a higher-level course or fulfill prerequisites on the basis of your AP/IB scores.
Do I have an adviser?: Every undergraduate in Columbia College and Columbia engineering is assigned an adviser in the Berick Center for Student Advising, starting the summer before matriculation. Your adviser will be a point of contact for navigating course registration, choosing a major, managing personal concerns and a wide variety of other issues.

Admissions

How do I accept my offer of admission?

To secure your spot in the Columbia Class of 2029, please follow the instructions on your Welcome Portal.

Do I have to send in my final high school transcript?

Yes, your final transcript is required. Please have your school submit the final school report and transcript as soon as grades are available at the end of your school year; it must indicate “diploma awarded” or have similar wording. We accept the documents either electronically, by email to ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu or via mail. These documents will not be accepted via fax.

What is Columbia's policy on deferrals?

A candidate who has been offered first-year admission may ask to defer enrollment for a year to work, travel, complete mandatory military service or pursue a special opportunity. A student may not defer admission in order to enroll in a full-time degree program at another college or university. A second year of deferral may be granted upon request.

Students who wish to defer admission to the fall of 2026 may make their deferral request when they submit their online Admitted Student Response Form. Questions may be sent to Jess Lee, Director of Selection & Outreach, at jess.lee@columbia.edu.

What if I have a change in my senior year course schedule?

You may not change your current academic curriculum. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, you must receive approval from Columbia Undergraduate Admissions before making any changes. Email details about your request and why it is necessary to adjust your academic coursework to Jess Lee, Director of Selection and Outreach, at jess.lee@columbia.edu.

How do I change my contact information?

Please email any changes to your contact information to ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu. Once you have activated your UNI (available by the end of June), you may make changes to your listing in the Columbia directory.

Financial Aid

May I appeal my financial aid decision?

Financial Aid & Educational Financing is happy to speak with you if you have questions about your financial aid. You may consider requesting an appeal if your family’s situation has changed after you submitted your financial aid application.

Just as Columbia’s admissions staff has taken the time to understand your unique academic and personal achievements, the financial aid office is committed to evaluating your family’s financial situation individually. If you would like to discuss your award, please email Financial Aid & Educational Financing at ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu to speak with one of our financial aid officers. Please be patient in awaiting a response, as we are receiving a high volume of requests at this time.

When do I receive my first tuition bill?

Columbia bills students for tuition, fees, housing and meals and other charges electronically at the beginning of each term. This is provided in the form of a Student Account Statement or E-Bill, which is distributed online. No paper bills will be mailed by the University.

The first bill will likely be emailed in early August; it will list anticipated charges and credits for the upcoming term and will be due in mid-September.

I have specific questions about financial aid. How can I speak to a financial aid officer?

Financial Aid & Educational Financing is happy to speak with you if you have questions about your financial aid. Please email Financial Aid & Educational Financing at ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu to speak with one of our financial aid officers. You may also schedule a Virtual Appointment to meet with a Financial Aid officer. Please be patient in awaiting a response, as we are receiving a high volume of requests at this time.

What do I need to know about the new FAFSA?

Columbia's Financial Aid and Educational Financing has created a detailed guide to the FAFSA Simplification process.

Is there a payment plan for tuition and fees?

The Monthly Payment Plan enables all students and their families to pay tuition and fees billed through the University over several months, rather than in one payment per semester. The payment plan is not a loan. While there is an application fee, there are no interest charges or credit checks.

For more information, please visit the Student Financial Services website.

Housing and Dining

When will I find out where I will be living?

The housing application will be available through your application status portal in April and is due in early May. The Columbia Housing YouTube channel features a housing playlist where you can explore all of the first year residence halls and take virtual room tours. Columbia Housing also features information about each first-year residence hall. You will receive an email from Columbia Housing by mid-July with your housing and mailbox assignments and (if applicable) roommate information, as well as confirmation of your dining plan.

What kinds of housing accommodations are available for students with disabilities?

For students whose disabilities substantially limit their ability to live in Columbia's traditional housing arrangements, accommodations are provided.

These accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, according to documented need and prevailing standards for reasonable accommodations. Housing accommodations are made after an assessment of the student's disability status and a determination that his or her particular disability necessitates adjustments to the living environment and available housing options. With this in mind, the University has established procedures to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to Columbia's housing resources. For more information, please visit the D isability Housing Accommodations section of the Housing website.

Can students have cars?

Although there is no policy on students with cars, parking is extremely limited in the Morningside Heights neighborhood. Many public transportation options serve the needs of Columbia students.

Are students required to be on a dining plan?

All first-year students are required to be on a Dining Plan, but enrollment after the first year is optional.

Is it safe to live on campus?

Columbia Public Safety works to ensure the security of Columbia's campus and its students, 24 hours a day. A current Columbia ID is required to enter all libraries and our student center, Lerner Hall. Entry to residence halls is restricted to students, and residents must sign in outside guests. The Lion Safe app (available for download on iOS and Android) allows easy access to all Public Safety resources at the touch of a button including emergency services, maps, shuttle schedules, crime alerts, emergency protocols, campus safety notifications and non-emergency numbers. Should you ever feel unsafe in the Columbia neighborhood, you can ask the merchants at businesses featuring the Red Lion sticker in their windows to phone Columbia Public Safety or the police and wait for security personnel to respond. Additionally, Columbia Transportation has partnered with Public Safety and Via to provide an on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.

How can students do laundry in the residence halls?

For first-year students, laundry facilities are located in Carman, Furnald and Hartley Halls. Wallach and John Jay residents can access the Hartley laundry room without going outside. The laundry rooms are accessible 24 hours a day. Use of the washers and dryers is free.

Is there air conditioning in the residence halls?

All first-year residence halls are equipped with air conditioning. The climate in New York City during autumn and spring (early October through mid-May) is usually mild with low humidity, and there is not much need for air-conditioning for most of the school year.

What furniture comes in each room?

Your room is furnished with a bed, chair, chest of drawers, desk, bookshelves, a wastebasket and a wardrobe or closet. Your windows are covered with miniblinds or shades. Bed heights are adjustable to allow for storage under the bed. For bed height specifics, please refer to the Residence Hall descriptions on the Housing website. Depending on the residence hall in which you will be living, the floors of your room may or may not be carpeted. In either case, you are welcome to bring your own floor covering. You will need to bring your own pillows, linens and blankets. Your mattress is extra-long (80" x 36"), so it will require extra-long sheets.

Please note that students must keep all furnishings in their rooms, including bed frames and mattresses, and that they may not bring in any additional furniture. Due to space limitations, we are unable to provide alternative storage for any furniture. Please refer to the Housing website for more information.

Can students have bicycles?

Bicycles are allowed in the residence halls, but they must be stored in students' rooms, not in the common areas. There are campus bike racks and designated bike storage in some residence halls that is open to any student. Bike share services are also available on and near campus through Citi Bike.

Next Steps

How do I accept my offer of admission?

To secure your spot in the Columbia Class of 2029, please follow the instructions on your Welcome Portal.

Do I have to send in my final high school transcript?

How do I change my contact information?

When can I activate my UNI?

Students who accept our offer of admission and submit their Admitted Student Response Form will receive instructions for activating their UNI by the end of June.

How do I know what my Columbia ID ("PID") is so I can submit my housing application?

Your Columbia ID ("PID") is the number beginning with "C00..." found at the top of your application status portal.

How can I learn about the residence halls so I can feel confident when filling out the housing form?

The Columbia Housing YouTube channel features a housing playlist where you can explore all of the first year residence halls and take virtual room tours. Columbia Housing also features information about each first-year residence hall.

How can I start meeting my classmates and getting a sense for the Columbia community?

We encourage all admitted students to follow the private @curoar2029 Instagram page, to connect with future classmates and learn more about the community you'll be joining. In the spring, you'll receive information about special events and programs for admitted students.

I need a visa to study in the United States. How can I apply for it?

Columbia University’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers a wealth of information and support for new international students and will be responsible for assisting you with your visa needs throughout your time at Columbia. If you are a foreign student, you must apply to the ISSO for an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility.

We urge you to begin your COE application through Columbia's ISSO as soon as possible. Undergraduate Admissions does not administer the process, so we strongly advise international students to direct their questions to the ISSO.

Technology

When will I be assigned a Columbia email address?: If you accept our offer of admission, you will receive instructions on activating your UNI (and your Columbia email address) by the end of June. You will also be able to upload a photograph online for your Columbia ID card.
When can I activate my UNI?: Students who accept our offer of admission will receive instructions for activating their UNI by the end of June.
Do I need a computer?: Bringing a computer to Columbia is optional; there are several computer labs and electronic classrooms for student use. However, the university provides discount programs and advice to help students purchase a new computer from manufacturers such as Apple and Dell.