Columbia Undergraduate Admissions and the Small-Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network are pleased to offer the STARS Fly-In at Columbia. The STARS Fly-In is Columbia's selective three-day, two-night program designed for current high school seniors who are interested in Columbia College or Columbia Engineering and come from a rural area or small town.
Applications for the Fall 2024 STARS Fly-In at Columbia will become available in August. Check back here for the latest information.
Applying to the STARS Fly-In at Columbia
Columbia College and Columbia Engineering are proud to offer an all-expenses-paid, selective program designed for high school seniors from rural areas and small towns to learn more about Columbia, higher education opportunities and the college experience in NYC. Admission is highly selective. Please note that all students who apply to the STARS Fly-In at Columbia will receive a fee waiver for the general Columbia Undergraduate Admissions application process, regardless of whether they are selected for program.
The STARS Fly-In is designed for high-achieving high school seniors who have:
- Exemplary academic records
- Genuine appreciation for the vibrant Columbia community, bringing together students with varied lived experiences
- Primarily grown up in rural areas or small towns that are underserved in higher education, especially those students who have not previously visited New York City
Due to the selectivity and limited size of the program, an application with a transcript is required. Students may self-report their transcripts.
STARS Fly-In Program Details
The STARS Fly-In will take place over three days and two nights on Columbia's Morningside Heights campus in New York City. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current rural and small town students at Columbia, tour New York City, explore Columbia's century-old Core Curriculum and learn more about the college application process.
The program is fully funded, including air, rail and ground transportation, as well as meals, snacks and accommodations.
Updated Monday, July 22, 2024.