Students at Columbia thrive within a campus community committed to their growth and achievement. A wide array of resources is available to support our students academically, socially, and professionally as they transition into college life and prepare to engage with different communities. The unique experiences and perspectives that these students bring are essential to our vibrant community, fostering inclusivity and enriching the overall Columbia experience.
fact:
1st
African American advocacy group on a multi-racial campus in the US
fact:
20%
of first-year students are the first generation in their families to go to college
fact:
30%
of first-year students are underrepresented students of color
Student Organizations
- Cultural Student Organizations
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There are over 40 student organizations at Columbia, advised by Multicultural Affairs, that represent numerous cultural and ethnic identities. These groups include pre-professional, performance, and various Greek Life organizations.
- Students of Color @ Columbia
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Students of Color (SOC) @ Columbia provides students with cultural student group advising, events, education, advocacy and other resources that help to create a campus environment where all students can explore and better understand racial and ethnic identities, histories, experiences and communities.
- Student of Color Advisory Board
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The Student of Color Advisory Board (SoCAB) is part of the Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council (MAAC). SoCAB works with Multicultural Affairs, the offices on the Students of Color Resource Team and other offices across Columbia to inform and provide information that address experiences impacting undergraduate students of color in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering.
Meet Our Students
student:
Mukudzeiishe
M.
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Economics, History, Anthropology
The Core Curriculum: “The Core has made me intimately aware of how our own cultural and academic backgrounds may lead us to varying interpretations of similar issues. In the Iliad for example, one's cultural identity shapes the extent to which they value Achilleus' prioritization of his own honour over the resolution of the Trojan War. I value the range of possible ways of knowing that the Core creates room for."
student:
Luisa
A.
Chino Hills, CA
Biomedical Engineering
Resources at Columbia: "Being a FLI, student of color from California, Columbia was definitely a different community from home. The FLI @ Columbia and Multicultural Affairs programming have been very helpful with allowing me to explore NYC at no-cost. Also, the weather change was also a struggle, but the FLI Coat Drive is such a good resource!"
student:
Pablo
B.
Clayton, MO
Chemical Engineering, Economics
Only at Columbia: “I've never been surrounded by a more diverse group of people who are also somehow more similar to me than anyone else I've encountered in my life. Everyone here shares a relentless drive and passion for what they want to do, it's extremely motivating to find yourself surrounded by such a determined group of peers. It's also eye-opening that these same peers are also from such different walks of life, both on cultural, religious, social and economic levels.”
If I speak a language other than English, may I be exempt from the Foreign Language requirement in the Core Curriculum?
Yes, if you are fluent in another language, and you pass the placement exam on campus, you may be exempt from the foreign language requirement.
As an undocumented student, can I apply to Columbia? Do I need to hold DACA status?
Yes. Columbia admits students without regard to citizenship status. Students do not need to hold DACA status to apply to Columbia. Additionally, for admissions purposes, undocumented students are evaluated in a need-blind manner, which means we evaluate admissions applications without regard to financial need.
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