Columbia University First-Year Admission

We look forward to getting to know you through your application. Be sure to read all contents in this First-Year Admission section as well as the Application Instructionscarefully before beginning an application.

Columbia only accepts the Common Application, and all first-year candidates must apply online unless they do not have access to the internet.

We accept applications for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, undergraduate divisions of Columbia University; both serve full-time students only. Potential applicants to Columbia College who have taken a break of more than a year in their educations (with the exception of those in mandatory military service) should consider instead Columbia University School of General Studies; the same is true for all students who wish to attend a part-time program because of personal or professional reasons.

Students interested in pursuing a transatlantic undergraduate educational experience could consider the Dual BA Program Between Columbia University and Sciences Po.

Application Requirements

• Application Instructions
  Explore the requirements for first-year admission to Columbia College and Columbia Engineering.
• What Does Columbia Look For In a Candidate?
  Learn about the holistic evaluation of candidates at Columbia and how the Committee makes decisions.
• Required Standardized Testing
  Read details on the standardized tests required for admission, which vary by school and applicant.
• Supplementary MaterialsThe Committee welcomes supplementary materials in science, engineering and the arts.
• Interviews
  Interviews, when available, are conducted by alumni volunteers around the world and are not required for admission to Columbia.

Other Programs 

• Columbia-Juilliard Exchange
  Columbia College partners with The Juilliard School for two programs. Find out more about the programs and applying to the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange.
• Early Decision
  Columbia offers both Regular Decision and Early Decision. Find out more about the binding Early Decision program.
• Home-Schooled Students
  Find out more information on applying and admissions requirements for home-schooled students.
• International Students
  Find out more information on applying and admissions requirements for international students.
• Questbridge Students
  Columbia has a partnership with QuestBridge. Find out more information on applying and admissions requirements as a QuestBridge scholar.

Posted in: Columbia University First-Year Admission