Frequently Asked Questions by Regular Decision Applicants

We know this is a busy time of year as you complete your college applications, and we appreciate your interest in Columbia University. We receive many emails from students after they submit their application to Columbia, so we’ve gathered the following information to help answer questions and reduce some of the stress that applicants may be feeling.

Have you received my application materials?

Regular Decision applicants may log into their application status portal to confirm that their application has been received. Additionally, they will be able to track the individual application documents through the application status portal, which allows our office to process and review them thoroughly and carefully. Applicants will not be penalized if some of their materials arrive shortly after the deadline. We are unable to confirm receipt of specific items outside of this tracking system.

How do I log into my application status portal?

Applicants can create a login to access their application status portal according to these instructions. If you have previously created an account with Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, please use the same credentials you created at that time. If you have any difficulty logging in, reset your password. There is no need for you to create a new account. 

When will I receive my Columbia ID?

Applicants will receive their Columbia ID numbers through their application status portal within one week (5 business days) after submitting their applications. This ID number can be used as an additional identifier if needed for submitting supporting documents. 

How do counselors, teachers and/or school officials submit their supporting materials?

Given the New Year's holiday and secondary school schedules, we understand that some candidates' school credentials (such as transcripts and recommendations) may arrive shortly after the application deadline. If teachers, counselors and/or school officials are unable to submit application materials through the Coalition Application or Common Application systems, they can send them either by email to ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu or by mail to the address listed below.  We will accept supporting documentation from your school after the deadline without the need for counselors or teachers to request an extension.

How do I request a fee waiver?

If paying the application fee is a significant financial burden for your family, we encourage you to request an automatic fee waiver through your admission application. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage an applicant in any way.

Can I still apply for financial aid?

If you plan to apply for financial aid, the Regular Decision financial aid deadline is February 15, 2025. Please review How to Apply from Financial Aid & Educational Financing for instructions. Our admissions process is need-blind for US citizens, eligible noncitizens and undocumented students. Regular Decision candidates are eligible for generous financial aid. We will meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all students admitted as first-years, regardless of citizenship. Use our cost estimator tools to see how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

How can I send you my test scores?

Columbia is test-optional. Please review our standardized testing policy for additional details.

Students who choose to submit test scores can self-report their ACT or SAT test scores directly on the Coalition Application or Common Application. They may also self-report their scores using a form that is available for this purpose on their application status portal. Through this form, students can input their high scores manually and will be prompted to upload a screenshot or PDF of their score report.

Regular Decision applicants have until January 15, 2025, to choose to submit testing; please note that students cannot withdraw ACT or SAT scores once they have requested review. February test-takers should email ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu to verify their decision to submit testing and provide their self-reported score as soon as results are released.

I’m having an issue with the Coalition Application or Common Application. How can I get help?

Applicants submitting the Coalition Application can review technical FAQs  on the Scoir Help Desk page.

Applicants submitting the Common Application should visit the Common Application Solutions Center.

I’ve submitted my application, but I realized that I made a mistake and/or that I forgot to include some important information. How can I add to or correct my application?

Any additions or corrections to the application may be submitted in writing through the application status portal. 

Is it possible to submit an extra letter of recommendation?

Undergraduate Admissions discourages the submission of additional recommendations, as admissions decisions will be based primarily on the required recommendations from your high school teachers and secondary school/guidance counselor. We will accept an additional letter of recommendation if the writer has worked with you in a research or college course capacity; such supplementary recommendations should not be completed on the Teacher Report forms, but instead submitted directly to our office via email to ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu with your name, high school and date of birth.  

While some applicants ask to send recommendations from coaches, internship supervisors, clergy members and other members of the community, we encourage you to convey the breadth and depth of your extracurricular and non-academic pursuits within the Activities section of your admission application.

May I submit a resume as part of my application?

We encourage you to convey the breadth and depth of your extracurricular pursuits within the Activities section of your admission application, including the full name of each organization in which you participate and, if appropriate, a brief description of your involvement. Candidates should review the Supplementary Materials page for more information on how to submit any supplementary credentials.

If you still have a question that remains unanswered, we encourage you to review the FAQ section of our website before emailing us; we may take a few days to respond to email inquiries, given the high volume of messages we receive at this time.