2. Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Important Dates and Late March/Early April Locations
Admissions: Admissions and financial
Deadlines Office Of Undergraduate Admissions
aid decisions released online to Regular
November 1 Decision candidates and invitations 212 Hamilton Hall
Admissions: Application deadline for mailed for on-campus and regional
Early Decision candidates. programs for admitted students. Visitors Center
213 Low Library
November 15 May 1
Financial Aid: Early Decision candidates Admissions: Deposit deadline for Regular Office of Financial Aid & Educational
must submit the CSS Profile and Decision admitted students. Financing
parents’ 2010 Federal Tax Returns and, if 618 Alfred Lerner Hall
applicable, business/farm tax information May 15
and their Non-Custodial Profile. Admissions: Deadline for requesting While actual locations are different for the
deferral of admission. Office of Undergraduate Admissions and
Mid-December the Office of Financial Aid & Educational
Admissions: Admissions decisions June 15 Financing, all correspondence may be
released online to Early Decision Admissions: Final high school transcripts directed to:
candidates. due for incoming students (or as soon as 212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
your degree is conferred.) 1130 Amsterdam Avenue
January 1 New York, NY 10027
Admissions: Application deadline for Late August
Regular Decision candidates. New Student Orientation Program and
academic year begin. Phone Numbers, E-mail
January 17 and Websites
Admissions: Deposit deadline for Early Please be advised that all deadlines listed
Decision admitted students. above are postmark deadlines. Office Of Undergraduate Admissions
212-854-2522
March 1 Fax: 212-854-3393
Financial Aid: All aid candidates must E-mail: ugrad-ask@columbia.edu
submit copies of their own and their www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
parents’ 2011 Federal Tax Returns, admissions/
all schedules and W-2 forms. All aid
candidates who are U.S. citizens must Office Of Financial Aid & Educational
submit their FAFSAs. Regular Decision Financing
candidates must submit the CSS 212-854-3711
Profile. If applicable, Regular Decision Fax: 212-854-5353
candidates must also submit their Non- E-mail: cc-seas-aid@columbia.edu
Custodial Profile and/or business/farm www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/finaid/
tax information.
To track the status of your application for
admission, please visit:
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
admissions/applications/
To access Columbia course bulletins and
other publications, go to:
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
admissions/
1
3. Application Instructions
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
We greatly appreciate your interest
in Columbia and look forward to getting to
know you through your application.
Please read our Application Instructions
carefully before beginning your application.
Columbia participates in The Common After submitting an application, you Please note that Columbia reserves
Application and additionally requires the will receive an e-mail from Columbia the right to evaluate an application and
Columbia Supplement to The Common officially acknowledging receipt of your render a final decision even if all pieces of
Application. We strongly encourage application and providing a unique the application have not been received.
students to apply online. Please use applicant ID number. (Columbia ID
the paper application only if you do not numbers begin with C00.) Please allow Columbia does not accept the Universal
have access to the Internet. up to 30 days after submitting your College Application.
Visit www.studentaffairs.columbia. application to receive your Columbia ID.
edu/admissions/ to access The Please keep this e-mail and ID number for
Common Application and Supplement. your records; it will be used throughout
Applying electronically will expedite the admissions process.
the processing and accuracy of your
completed application. Using your Columbia applicant ID, you
should track the status of your application
and the receipt of all required documents
by using our online tracking system:
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
admissions/applications/
You are responsible for the accurate
completion and submission of your
application and should periodically
check this site to ensure that all required
materials have been received and
processed.
2
4. Application Instructions
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
The Common Application Secondary School Report
The Common Application provides your
and Mid-Year Report
simple autobiographical data and should The Secondary School Report, Mid-
be submitted as early as possible. You Year Report and Final Report are the
must submit The Common Application no documents your school will use to
later than November 1 for Early Decision report your academic achievements;
and January 1 for Regular Decision. The they should be given to your guidance
application fee is $80. This fee covers counselor, principal or other appropriate
processing costs and cannot be refunded school official. The Secondary School
or credited against later charges. Waivers Report must be returned to us by
of the application fee are granted only November 1 for Early Decision and
at the request of an appropriate school January 1 for Regular Decision. The Mid-
official testifying to family financial Year Report, a summary of your academic
hardship. performance in the first part of this
academic year, must be postmarked no
later than February 1, or as soon as mid-
Columbia Supplement to year grades are available. Your school
the Common Application may fax this form with your grades to
212-854-3393, though an official copy
The Columbia Supplement to The must also be mailed. (Note: If you have
Common Application asks some required, already finished secondary school, then
Columbia-specific questions and is your your school may disregard the Mid-Year
chance to tell us more about yourself. Report.) School officials may also submit
In the Supplement, you must be sure these forms online. The Final Report
to indicate to which school you are should NOT be submitted until you
applying: Columbia College or The Fu have actually received your diploma or
Foundation School of Engineering and equivalent credential.
Applied Science (Columbia Engineering).
You may not apply to both schools
simultaneously. Your completed
Teacher Evaluations
Supplement must be submitted by
November 1 for Early Decision and Teacher Evaluations give two teachers
January 1 for Regular Decision. the opportunity to document your
contributions in the classroom. Please
select only teachers who instructed
you in academic disciplines. If you are
applying to Columbia Engineering,
one evaluation must come from a
mathematics or science teacher.
Teacher Evaluations must be submitted
by November 1 for Early Decision and
January 1 for Regular Decision. Teachers
may also submit these forms online.
3
5. Application Instructions
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Required Standardized SAT Subject Tests Helpful Information
In addition to the SAT or ACT, you must ● You must register with the appropriate
Testing
also take two SAT Subject Tests. For testing agency well in advance of your
Standardized tests are required for Columbia College, you may choose any desired test date.
admission; all test scores must be two subjects; for The Fu Foundation ● You may register for the SAT and SAT
submitted directly to Columbia by the School of Engineering and Applied Subject Tests with the Educational
testing agency. Columbia requires Science, you must take any mathematics Testing Service (ETS). For the ACT,
students to submit scores from all test and either Physics or Chemistry. register with the American College
test dates. Students must submit all SAT Subject Testing Program.
Test scores from all test dates. ● You must request that your scores be
SAT Reasoning Test reported directly to Columbia every
The SAT examination consists of three Additional Requirements time you take a standardized test.
sections, each graded on an 800-point If your school does not use conventional ● For the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, the
scale; if you take the test more than number or letter grades or if you are ETS code for both Columbia College
once, you will be evaluated on the home-schooled, you must take two and The Fu Foundation School of
highest score you receive in each additional SAT Subject Tests in disciplines Engineering and Applied Science is
section. of your choice to supplement your 2116.
application to either Columbia College or ● The ACT codes are 2717 for Columbia
ACT The Fu Foundation School of Engineering College and 2719 for Columbia
You may alternatively take the ACT and Applied Science. If you are a home- Engineering.
Assessment, graded on a 36-point scale; schooled student, you must also submit ● Please note that scores reported to
if you take the test more than once, The Common Application’s Home School Columbia’s School of General Studies,
you will be evaluated on the highest Supplement to the Secondary School Columbia’s School of Continuing
composite score you receive. The Report. Education or Barnard College will
writing component offered by the ACT not reach our office and will not be
Assessment is mandatory for candidates evaluated. Columbia reserves the right
for Columbia. Students must submit all not to evaluate a candidate whose
ACT scores from all test dates, though scores are not reported directly by the
students may submit only their highest testing agency.
ACT composite score officially and self- ● Please do not utilize the “rush” service
report other ACT scores in the Additional to send your test scores to Columbia.
Information section of The Common Doing so does not expedite the
Application. While the College Board processing of your test scores.
sends a cumulative record of all testing ● For more information about the Test of
for one fee, the ACT charges a fee for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
each test date; we do not want ACT or the International English Language
takers to incur greater costs. Testing System exam (IELTS), see the
Additional Information for Foreign and
International Students section.
4
6. Application Instructions
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Early Decision Program According to National Association Interviews
for College Admission Counseling
If Columbia is your first choice and you guidelines, students may apply to other Interviews are not required for admission.
are willing to make a binding commitment institutions, but may have only one Volunteer members of Columbia’s
to attend if admitted, you may apply Early Decision application pending at Alumni Representative Committee (ARC)
under the Early Decision program. All any time. While Columbia does not conduct interviews throughout the world
your application documents must be encourage the filing of an Early Decision from October to February on behalf of
postmarked by November 1 and you must (binding) application to Columbia and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
be certain that your scores are reported one or more Early Action (non-binding) However, because we have a finite
directly to Columbia by the testing applications to other colleges, we do number of alumni volunteers to interview
agency. Columbia typically receives not prohibit candidates from doing so. the many thousands of undergraduate
testing from the November test date in However, candidates should be aware candidates, we are unable to grant
time for Early Decision review. Students that Columbia’s Early Decision program is interviews to all of our applicants and can
should indicate in their application that a binding agreement and a candidate will provide absolutely no guarantee that an
they are taking November tests; see the be expected to enroll, regardless of any interview will be available in any given
Required Standardized Testing section pending applications (early or otherwise). area. Please note that interviews will be
above. In mid-December you will be offered only in the area where your high
notified of the results of your Early If you are offered admission under the school is located; if you are in an abroad
Decision application. Early Decision plan, we expect you to program, if you have finished high school
maintain the curriculum which you were and moved, or you are otherwise not
You must also submit The Common pursuing at the point of admission. You in residence near your high school, an
Application’s Early Decision Agreement must request permission from the Office interview will not be available.
with your application. If you are admitted of Undergraduate Admissions should you
under the Early Decision program, you wish to make any non-elective course If the Alumni Representative Committee
are obligated to accept Columbia’s changes. Your school must submit the is able to offer you an interview, you
offer of admission. Only students who Mid-Year Report and eventually the Final will be contacted directly by an ARC
(after consulting the Financial Aid Office) Report with your final transcript. Your member. Candidates who are not offered
cite financial reasons for not attending academic performance will be monitored an interview are not at any disadvantage
will be released from the Early Decision and evaluated through the end of your in the admissions process. As the Office
agreement. Once you accept Columbia’s senior year. If you are deferred under of Undergraduate Admissions does not
offer of admission, you may not apply to the Early Decision plan, it means a final assign interviews, we respectfully ask that
any other colleges and must withdraw decision on your candidacy will be made you do not call or write to inquire about
any applications that have already been during the evaluation of Regular Decision receiving an interview; interviews are not
submitted. applications, and you will be notified in conducted on campus.
late March/early April. If you are denied
under the Early Decision plan, you may Please note that both The Common
not apply to Columbia again in that year. Application and the Columbia
Supplement to The Common Application
must be submitted before an applicant
can be contacted about an interview.
5
7. Application Instructions
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Supplementary Credentials Creative and Performing Arts Visual Arts students who wish to
If you are considering a major or submit artistic supplementary materials
and Materials
concentration in Architecture, Creative should follow our online instructions
While we request that the submission Writing, Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts, on the Columbia Admissions website:
of application supplements be kept to Film Studies, Jazz Studies, Music or Visual www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
a minimum, there may be occasions Arts, or if you wish to contribute to the admissions/applications/firstyear/
when additional materials provide creative and performing arts community supplementarymaterials.
information that the standard application at Columbia through extracurricular
does not. If you plan to submit involvement, we welcome supplementary Architecture, Creative Writing, Dance,
supplementary credentials, please credentials and materials that reflect your Drama and Theatre Arts and Film
follow the instructions below instead artistic ability and commitment. Please Studies students are welcome to submit
of those in The Common Application follow the directions below to submit professional résumés that list artistic
Arts Supplement. Applicants should the appropriate supplement for the achievement. Please do not send DVDs
not submit The Common Application appropriate interest. or hard copies of writing samples, as they
Arts Supplement. Please note that we will not be reviewed. However, if samples
specifically ask that you do not send Musical Performance Please of your work can be viewed online, please
collections of award certificates and the follow our online instructions on the clearly indicate the relevant links in the
like and explicitly direct that you refrain Columbia Admissions website: Additional Information section of The
from submitting your application in www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/ Common Application.
binders or folders. admissions/applications/firstyear/
supplementarymaterials. Finally, please be advised that
Science and Engineering while we welcome the submission
If you have been involved in scientific While we welcome music supplements, of supplementary credentials and
research and you are interested in live auditions are not part of the materials—providing they follow the
studying engineering or the sciences at admissions process. Auditions for private directions online and outlined above—and
Columbia, you may provide a one or two- lessons and selective ensembles are held we often request that our faculty evaluate
page scientific abstract for our review. for enrolled students at the start of each submitted supplements, we can provide
academic year. no guarantee that all materials will be
reviewed or evaluated, as they are not
Candidates applying to the Columbia- required for the admissions process.
Juilliard Exchange should submit musical
materials to Columbia so that our Please also note that any submitted
faculty as well as Juilliard’s may evaluate supplementary materials become part of
your talent and potential. For more your file and are not able to be returned
information on this program, please to you.
refer to the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange
section below.
6
8. Application Instructions
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Columbia-Juilliard Combined Plan Programs Opportunity Programs
Exchange Columbia offers a five-year plan in The Higher Education Opportunity
The Columbia-Juilliard Exchange requires which you can attend Columbia College Program (HEOP) is sponsored and
a separate application to The Juilliard for three years and The Fu Foundation supported by the New York State
School and an audition. Please visit School of Engineering and Applied Education Department to assist eligible
www.juilliard.edu for an application and Science for two years; you then earn students to obtain higher education at
admissions requirements. Students should both the B.A. and B.S. degrees. If you private colleges and universities in the
indicate on the Columbia Supplement that are interested in the “3-2 Program,” you State. Columbia College and Columbia
they are applying to the Columbia-Juilliard should proceed with your application as a Engineering have participated in the
Exchange; a concurrent application to candidate for Columbia College. program since 1970. In order to qualify
Juilliard is also due by December 1. Only for HEOP, students must be residents
Columbia College applicants are eligible Alternatively, the “4-1 Program” allows you of New York State, and their family
for the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange. For to complete your four-year B.S. program resources must meet established low-
more information on the Columbia-Juilliard in Columbia Engineering and then, with income guidelines. Students will be
Exchange, please visit the Columbia an additional year of study in Columbia automatically considered for HEOP
Admissions website: www.studentaffairs. College, to earn the B.A. degree as well. through normal application procedures;
columbia.edu/admissions/applications/ If you are interested in this five-year no additional application is necessary. For
firstyear/juilliard. program, you should proceed with your more information on New York’s Higher
application as a candidate for Columbia Education Opportunity Program, visit
Engineering. Interested students apply for www.heop.org.
these programs in their junior or senior
year of college. For more information The National Opportunity Program
on the Combined Plan Programs, please (NOP) follows similar academic and
visit: www.studentaffairs.columbia. economic guidelines and provides
edu/admissions/engineering/ the same support services as HEOP,
combined. described above. NOP, however, is
open to students regardless of state of
residence, provided they are citizens or
Transfer Students permanent residents of the United States.
Students will be automatically considered
Both Columbia College and The Fu for NOP through normal application
Foundation School of Engineering and procedures, and no additional application
Applied Science welcome applications is necessary. For more information on
from students who have attained a HEOP and NOP, please go to www.
minimum of 24 credits of coursework studentaffairs.columbia.edu/asp/
for transfer admission. To secure programs.
transfer information, please visit:
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
admissions/ Please check our website
for transfer admissions deadlines,
and note that admission is granted only
for the fall term.
7
9. Additional Information for
Foreign and International Students
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Please note the distinction between these IELTS (International English Language Housing
two terms: You are a “foreign” student Testing System)
if, regardless of your place of schooling, Please visit www.ielts.org as soon as Campus housing is guaranteed for
you are neither a citizen nor a permanent possible for more information on this four years to all entering students. As
resident (“green card” holder) of the examination. A minimum score of 7.0 is an international student, you should
United States and do not have refugee necessary for admission to Columbia. be aware that campus housing will be
status; you are an “international” student if, Your score must be reported directly to available without interruption throughout
regardless of citizenship, you attend or have the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. the academic year and that students
completed secondary school outside the may also apply for summer on-campus
United States. If you have scored 650 on either the housing.
Critical Reading or the Writing section of
the SAT, you are exempt from taking an
English Proficiency Testing English proficiency examination. Financial Aid for Foreign
Students
If you are applying from overseas, you must
still complete the testing requirements
Completing the Application Columbia has funding for foreign
outlined earlier in these instructions, students applying as first-years, but
provided these tests are available in your Social Security Number candidates for this funding should be
country. An English proficiency examination, Please make an entry in these boxes only aware that financial need is taken into
if required, is in addition to this mandatory if you have a U.S. Social Security number; account in our evaluations of these
testing, not a substitute for it. You must please do not use an identification candidates for admission. You must
register with the testing agency at least two number issued by any other government. indicate your request for Columbia’s
months in advance of the test date, keeping (Canadians, please do NOT use your need-based financial aid on The Common
in mind that the SAT and SAT Subject Tests SINs.) Columbia will issue you an Application forms. You cannot change
cannot be taken on the same test date. identification number at a later time. your request after submitting your
application.
To be considered for admission to Telephone
Columbia, you must be comfortable with Enter your complete telephone number, If you are a foreign student admitted
rapid and idiomatic spoken English. If your including the country and city codes to Columbia with financial aid, you will
home language is not English and if your required to reach the number from the continue to receive aid for each year
primary language of instruction has not United States. that you demonstrate need; if you are
been English for at least five years, you a foreign student admitted without aid,
are required to take an English proficiency School Records then you are not eligible to receive need-
examination. Both of the examinations listed If you attend a secondary school using based financial aid for the duration of
here are given all over the world several a non-U.S. educational system, your your undergraduate studies at Columbia.
times a year; you must take the examination school should also submit The Common
no later than December of the school year Application’s International Supplement to
in which you are applying. the Secondary School Report. International Programs and
Services
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language) Visa services, social gatherings and
Please visit www.toefl.org as soon as many other offerings are provided by
possible for more information on this Columbia’s International Students and
examination. A minimum score of 600 Scholars Office (ISSO). Columbia also has
(paper-based test) or 100 (Internet- a variety of international student clubs,
based test) is necessary for admission to including the Columbia International
Columbia. Your score must be reported Student Coalition. For more information
directly to Columbia by the testing service, please visit www.columbia.edu/cu/
using report code 2116. isso/.
8
10. University Policies
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Joint Statement for General Procedures plan. Coaches from other Ivy League
All contacts with students by institutions are prohibited from having any
Candidates on Common
representatives of Ivy institutions are recruiting contact with prospects who
Ivy League Admission intended to provide assistance and have been accepted under this plan.
Procedure information and should be free of any
activity that applies undue pressure on A Single Choice Early Action Plan is offered
The Ivy League is an association of
the candidate. No information referring by Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. This
eight institutions of higher education,
to the admission or financial-aid status of plan does not require a commitment to
established in 1954 primarily for the
an applicant to any Ivy institution may be matriculate, and students may apply to
purpose of fostering amateurism in
considered official unless it is received other colleges under those colleges’ regular
athletics. Relations between the member
directly from that institution’s admission or admission programs (spring notification of
institutions have grown over the years,
financial aid office. final admission decision) but not to another
and representatives of these institutions
institution’s Early Action or Early Decision
now meet regularly at a variety of levels
Ivy institutions mail admission decision program. Students admitted under Early
to discuss topics which range from the
letters twice annually, in mid-December Action will be sent a financial aid offer when
purely academic to the purely athletic and
and late March/early April. Those who wish they receive their acceptance decision if
from fundamental educational philosophy
a decision in December must apply by they have completed all of the required
to procedures in admissions.
November 1. A student may not file more financial aid forms.
than one early application within the
Each member institution has its own
Ivy League. Students are urged to consult the
identity and character and protects
admission literature available at each
its right to pursue its own educational
December Notification Ivy institution for details concerning its
objectives. Thus, although the Ivy League
Under December Notification, an particular December Notification Plan.
institutions are similar in many respects,
applicant may be notified that he or she
each member institution will continue
has been granted or denied admission Common Notification Date
to make its own independent admission
or that a final decision has been deferred On a common date, usually in late March
decisions according to its own particular
until the late March/early April notification or early April, applicants to the Ivy
admissions policy. In recent years,
date. Two plans are offered according to institutions will be notified of admission
however, it has become clear that the
individual institutional policy: decisions and financial aid awards, unless
transition between secondary school
they have been notified earlier under
and institutions of higher education has
The College Board-approved Early Early Decision Plan or Early Action Plan
become increasingly complex and that
Decision Plan, which is offered by Brown, procedures. (Letters are mailed beginning
greater efforts should be made to simplify
Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, and the in February for the Schools of Hotel
the process through more uniform
University of Pennsylvania, requires Administration, and Industrial and Labor
admissions procedures. It is our hope
a prior commitment to matriculate. Relations at Cornell, and beginning
that by outlining carefully the procedures
Financial aid awards for those qualifying in February for the School of Nursing
under which we are operating and by
for financial assistance will normally be at Penn.)
clearly specifying the obligations of both
announced in full detail at the same time
the applicant and the institution, we
as the admission decisions. An applicant
can help students pursue their college
receiving admission and an adequate
interests free of unnecessary confusion
financial award under the Early Decision
and pressure.
Plan will be required to accept that offer
of admission and withdraw all applications
to other colleges or universities. All
Ivy institutions will honor any required
commitment to matriculate that has
been made to another college under this
9
11. University Policies
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Common Reply Date Statement of
Except for those applicants admitted
Non-Discrimination
under the College Board-approved Early
Decision Plan, which requires a prior Columbia University admits students of
commitment to matriculate, no candidate any race, color, national or ethnic origin
admitted to any of the Ivy institutions to all the rights, privileges, programs, and
will be required to announce his or her activities generally accorded or made
decision to accept or decline an offer of available to students at the University.
admission until the Common Reply Date of It does not discriminate on the basis
May 1. All such candidates may delay their of race, color, sex, gender, pregnancy,
commitment to attend until May 1 without religion, creed, marital status, partnership
prejudice. By that date all admitted status, age, sexual orientation, national
candidates must affirm in writing their origin, disability, military status, or
single choice. any other legally protected status in
administration of its educational policies,
The preceding paragraph does not admissions policies, scholarship and
preclude students from remaining on loan programs, and athletic and other
active waiting lists and withdrawing University-sponsored programs.
promptly from their original college
choice upon receiving subsequent waiting
list acceptance to another institution.
However, the Ivy institutions reserve their
right to rescind acceptance decisions
from candidates who make commitments
to and who hold confirmed places at more
than one institution concurrently. Students
who choose to remain on an active waiting
list after May 1 will receive a final response
no later than July 1.
Participating Institutions
Brown University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Harvard University
Princeton University
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
10
12. Instructions for Need-Based Aid
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
General Information Types of Financial Aid Key Definitions
All financial aid is awarded only to
Columbia is committed to meeting students who demonstrate financial Need-Blind
the full demonstrated financial need need; in other words, we do not offer Columbia admits candidates solely on
of all applicants admitted as first-year scholarships for academic merit, artistic the basis of academic and extracurricular
undergraduate students. In our quest talent or athletic ability. Financial aid achievement and personal merit.
to make Columbia affordable for all is awarded strictly on the basis of Financial need is not a factor in
students, the University has implemented demonstrated financial need, and we admission. EXCEPTION: Please refer to
the following financial aid enhancements: make every effort to help all admitted the Additional Information for Foreign
There are no student loans included students and their families find the and International Students section for
as part of the financial aid package; all means to meet the cost of a Columbia Columbia’s policy on financial aid for
students eligible for financial aid from education. foreign students.
Columbia are packaged with grants and
possibly work; students from families Indicating Intention to Apply for Financial Need
with incomes below $60,000 do not Columbia Financial Aid Information reported on the financial
have a parent contribution; students from All financial aid applicants must check aid application forms is analyzed to
families with incomes between $60,000 “Yes” to the question “Do you intend determine financial need. Forms include:
and $100,000 have a reduction in their to apply for need-based financial ● CSS Profile
parent contribution. For more information aid?” on The Common Application. ● FAFSA
please visit: www.studentaffairs. Applicants who do not state at the time ● Complete 2011 Federal Income Tax
columbia.edu/finaid/ of application that they are applying Returns (including all schedules and
for financial aid will not be considered W-2s) for Student, Custodial, and Non-
Financial aid is available for all four for need-based institutional financial Custodial Parents
undergraduate years, providing the aid after admission unless they can
student continues to demonstrate demonstrate extenuating circumstances Student/Parent Contribution
financial need. Financial aid is awarded which resulted in a significant change in Columbia believes that the primary
strictly on the basis of demonstrated their family’s situation. responsibility for meeting the cost of a
financial need, and we make every effort college education lies with the student
to help all admitted students and their Social Security Number and his or her family. Depending on a
families find the means to meet the cost While it is optional to include your family’s resources, parents are expected
of a Columbia education. Admission to Social Security Number on The to contribute to the extent that they are
Columbia is need-blind for all candidates Common Application and the Columbia capable, and students are expected to
who are not defined as foreign students; Supplement, please note that the FAFSA use a portion of their assets, such as
foreign students are eligible to apply for requires United States citizens and bank accounts or trust funds, and to
need-based financial aid but must be permanent residents to submit their work during each summer to help cover
aware that their need will be considered Social Security Numbers. U.S. Citizens educational costs.
when they are evaluated for admission. or Permanent Residents planning to
apply for Columbia financial aid must
provide their Social Security Numbers
on all applications materials in order for
Columbia to process their financial aid
applications.
Online Forms
All Columbia financial aid forms can be
found at: www.studentaffairs.columbia.
edu/finaid/
11
13. Instructions for Need-Based Aid
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Forms IDOC is a service provided by the College Instructions for Early
Board which we use to collect and scan
CSS Profile
Decision Applicants
documents. Applicants who fill out the
College Scholarship Service. Apply online CSS Profile form are contacted by the By November 15
at www.collegeboard.com/profile using College Board with instructions on how 1. CSS Profile: Complete your CSS Profile
a secure browser. You will need a credit to submit taxes and other relevant forms online at: www.collegeboard.com/profile.
card. Questions: Call 1-305-829-9793 to IDOC. The 2011 tax returns should Ensure that the Social Security Number
(TTY 1-800-915-9990) or e-mail help@ be submitted to IDOC as soon as they you submit on the CSS Profile matches
cssprofile.org. Columbia’s code number are complete. If 2011 taxes cannot be the Social Security Number submitted
is 2116. completed before March 1, send copies on The Common Application and the
of 2010 taxes and 2011 W-2s to Columbia. Columbia Supplement.
FAFSA If your parents will not file a 2011 Federal
Free Application for Federal Student Tax Return, they must submit the Parent 2. Non-Custodial Profile & Taxes: If
Aid. To get a copy of the FAFSA, call Tax Non-Filer certification (available on your natural parents are divorced or
1-800-4FEDAID; from outside the U.S., our website). If you will not file a 2011 separated (or if they never married),
you must call 1-319-337-5665. Complete Federal Tax Return, you must submit the non-custodial parent must submit a
the FAFSA online: www.fafsa.ed.gov/ the Student Tax Non-Filer certification Non-Custodial Profile online at: www.
Columbia’s code number is 002707. (available on our website). collegeboard.com/profile. The non-
custodial parent must also submit a copy
Tax Returns & IDOC Helpful Information of his or her Federal Income Tax Return. If
Signed copies of parent and student ● Be sure to meet all deadlines. you think there will be difficulty meeting
2011 Federal Income Tax Returns and Need-based institutional aid can be the deadlines listed below, you must
W-2 forms are required for verification guaranteed only to students who meet contact the financial aid office to discuss
of the information that you report on the deadlines for all forms. your extenuating circumstances.
financial aid application forms. ● Keep copies of all submitted
documents.
Related Links
To download forms, track documents
or contact us, please visit our website:
www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
finaid/
Financial Aid Deadlines
Early Decision Deadline Regular Decision Deadline
CSS Profile November 15, 2011 March 1, 2012
FAFSA March 1, 2012 March 1, 2012
Complete 2010 Tax Returns November 15, 2011 N/A
Complete 2011 Tax Returns March 1, 2012 March 1, 2012
Non-Custodial Profile* November 15, 2011 March 1, 2012
Business/Farm Information* November 15, 2011 March 1, 2012
* If applicable.
12
14. Instructions for Need-Based Aid
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
3. Business/Farm Information: If you By March 1 6. 2011 Federal Income Tax Returns
or your parents own all or part of one Early Decision applicants who are offered and W-2s: Signed copies of parent
or more businesses, corporations, admission or who are deferred to the and student 2011 Federal Income Tax
partnerships and/or farms, FAX Regular Decision process need to submit Returns and W-2s must be submitted to
(preferred method: 212-854-5353) or additional documentation by March 1. verify the information that you report
mail to Columbia a complete copy of on your financial aid application forms.
the most recent business tax returns 5. FAFSA: Complete the FAFSA online Submit 2011 tax returns as soon as they
(including all pages and all schedules). at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Ensure that the are completed, preferably no later than
Sole proprietors must submit Schedule C Social Security Number you submit March 1, directly to the College Board
and/or Schedule F (Farm). Corporations on the FAFSA matches the Social using their IDOC service: http://idoc.
must submit K-1s as well as the complete Security Number submitted on The collegeboard.com. You will receive an
Federal 1120/1120-S Income Tax Returns. Common Application and the Columbia e-mail with a cover sheet and detailed
Partnerships must submit K-1s as well as Supplement. instructions from the College Board on
the complete federal 1065 returns. how to submit these documents. Please
To sign your FAFSA electronically, use the allow up to two weeks processing time
4. 2010 Tax Returns: Please FAX PIN numbers assigned to you and your on all documents submitted to IDOC.
(preferred method: 212-854-5353) or parents. Alternatively, you may print and You must file a Financial Aid PROFILE to
mail complete, signed copies of parent mail the FAFSA signature page when you receive an IDOC cover sheet. Columbia
and student 2010 Federal Income Tax submit your form online. Please note that strongly encourages you and your
Returns directly to Columbia. Include all applying online expedites the processing parents to complete your 2011 Federal
schedules and W-2s. of your application. Income Taxes in February.
Admitted Early Decision candidates If you and/or your parents have not yet If your parents will not file a 2011 Federal
will receive an estimated financial aid completed 2011 tax returns when you Tax Return, they must submit the
package in December based on the complete the FAFSA, you should estimate Parent Tax Non-Filer Certification. If you
CSS Profile and 2010 tax returns. The your 2011 income data to the best of will not file a 2011 Federal Tax Return,
estimated financial aid package will be your ability. you must submit the Student Tax
updated in April after 2011 tax returns and Non-Filer Certification. Both forms are
the FAFSA have been submitted. Please available online at:
note: Only 2011 taxes should be sent www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/
to the College Board IDOC service (by finaid/.
March 1).
13
15. Instructions for Need-Based Aid
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Instructions for Regular 4. FAFSA: Complete the FAFSA online Columbia strongly encourages you and
at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. Ensure that the your parents to complete your 2011
Decision Applicants
Social Security Number you submit Federal Income Taxes in February.
By March 1 on the FAFSA matches the Social
1. CSS Profile: Complete your CSS Profile Security Number submitted on The If your parents will not file a 2011 Federal
online at: www.collegeboard.com/ Common Application and the Columbia Tax Return, they must submit the Parent
profile. Ensure that the Social Security Supplement. Tax Non-Filer Certification. If you will
Number you submit on the CSS Profile not file a 2011 Federal Tax Return, you
matches the Social Security Number To sign your FAFSA electronically, use the must submit the Student Tax Non-Filer
submitted on The Common Application PIN numbers assigned to you and your Certification. Both forms are available
and the Columbia Supplement. parents. Alternatively, you may print and online at: www.studentaffairs.columbia.
mail the FAFSA signature page when you edu/finaid/.
2. Non-Custodial Profile & Taxes: If submit your form online. Please note that
your natural parents are divorced or applying online expedites the processing Columbia University financial aid award
separated (or if they never married), of your application. letters mailed with offers of admission
the non-custodial parent must submit are not final until Columbia receives
a Non-Custodial Profile online at: www. If you and/or your parents have not yet your FAFSA and has verified it using the
collegeboard.com/profile. The non- completed 2011 tax returns when you appropriate Federal Income Tax Returns.
custodial parent must also submit a complete the FAFSA, you should estimate
copy of his or her Federal Income Tax your 2011 income data to the best of
Return. If you think there will be difficulty your ability.
meeting this deadline, you must contact
the financial aid office to discuss your 5. 2011 Federal Income Tax Returns
extenuating circumstances. and W-2s: Signed copies of parent
and student 2011 Federal Income Tax
3. Business/Farm Information: If you returns and W-2s must be submitted to
or your parents own all or part of one verify the information that you report
or more businesses, corporations, on your financial aid application forms.
partnerships and/or farms, FAX Submit 2011 tax returns as soon as they
(preferred method: 212-854-5353) or are completed, preferably no later than
mail to Columbia a complete copy of March 1, directly to the College Board
the most recent business tax returns using their IDOC service: http://idoc.
(including all pages and all schedules). collegeboard.com. You will receive an
Sole proprietors must submit Schedule C e-mail with a cover sheet and detailed
and/or Schedule F (Farm). Corporations instructions from the College Board on
must submit K-1s as well as the complete how to submit these documents. Please
Federal 1120/1120-S Income Tax Returns. allow up to two weeks processing time
Partnerships must submit K-1s as well as on all documents submitted to IDOC.
the complete federal 1065 returns. You must file a Financial Aid PROFILE to
receive an IDOC cover sheet. If 2011 tax
returns cannot be submitted to IDOC
before March 1, send copies of 2010
taxes and 2011 W-2s via FAX (preferred
method: 212-854-5353) or mail directly to
Columbia. You will be required to submit
the 2011 tax returns to IDOC when they
are available.
14
16. Instructions for Need-Based Aid
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Instructions for Foreign and By March 1
(Regular Decision Applicants)
International Students
1. CSS Profile: Foreign students should
Please see the Additional Information complete the CSS Profile online at: www.
for Foreign and International Students collegeboard.com/profile. (Columbia’s
on page 8. Admission to Columbia is CSS Profile code: 2116).
not need-blind for foreign students.
Financial need is taken into consideration 2. Income Tax Returns: Copies of your
at the time of admission. family’s most recent, completed Income
Tax Returns (all pages and attachments)
Application Deadlines should be FAXed (preferred method:
212-854-5353) or mailed to Columbia. If
By November 15 tax returns are not filed in your country,
(Early Decision Applicants) please submit current statements of
1. CSS Profile: Foreign students should earnings from your parents’ employers
complete the CSS Profile online at: www. showing their yearly earnings. All tax/
collegeboard.com/profile. (Columbia’s income documents (if not already in
CSS Profile code: 2116). English) should be officially translated
into English. Clearly print your name and
2. Income Tax Returns: Copies of your Columbia ID Number at the top of all
family’s most recent, completed Income documents to ensure proper filing.
Tax Returns (all pages and attachments)
should be FAXed (preferred method:
212-854-5353) or mailed to Columbia. If
tax returns are not filed in your country,
please submit current statements of
earnings from your parents’ employers
showing their yearly earnings. All tax/
income documents (if not already in
English) should be officially translated
into English. Clearly print your name and
Columbia ID Number at the top of all
documents to ensure proper filing.
15
17. Application Codes
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
You will be required to select three possible areas
of interest on the Columbia Supplement to
The Common Application. Please use the codes
below. Columbia College applicants must select
only from the Columbia College list; Columbia
Engineering applicants must select only
from The Fu Foundation School of Engineering
and Applied Science list.
Columbia College Codes
African-American Studies Dance CCDANC French & Francophone Studies Philosophy CCPHIL
CCAFAS Drama and Theatre Arts CCFRFR Physics CCPHYS
African Studies CCAFRS CCTHDR German Literature & Cultural Political Science CCPOLS
American Studies CCAMST Earth Science CCERTS History CCGLCH Political Science-Statistics
Ancient Studies CCANST East Asian Studies CCEAST Hispanic Studies CCHISP CCPOST
Anthropology CCANTH Ecology and Evolution History CCHIST Portuguese CNPORT
Applied Mathematics CKECEV History and Theory of Psychology CCPSYC
CCAPMA Economics CCECON Architecture CCHIAR Regional Studies-East/Central
Archaeology CCARCY Economics-Mathematics Human Rights CNHRTS Europe CCECE
Architecture CCARCH CCECMA Information Science CCINFS Religion CCRELI
Art History CCAHIS Economics-Philosophy Italian Cultural Studies Russian Language and Culture
Art History and Visual Arts CCECPH CCITCU CCRLAC
CCAHVA Economics-Political Science Italian Literature CCITAL Russian Literature and Culture
Astronomy CCASTR CCECPO Jazz Studies CNJAZZ CCRLIC
Astrophysics CCASPH Economics-Statistics CCECST Latin American and Caribbean Slavic Literature and Culture
Biochemistry CCBICH Education CCEDUC Studies CCLACS CCSTLL
Biology CCBIOL English CCENGL Linguistics CCLING Slavic Studies CCSLST
Biophysics CCBIOP Environmental Biology Mathematics CCMATH Sociology CCSOCI
Business Management CCEBIO Mathematics-Statistics Statistics CCSTAT
CNBUMG Environmental Chemistry CCMAST Sustainable Development
Chemical Physics CCCHPH CCENCH Medieval and Renaissance CCSUDV
Chemistry CCCHEM Environmental Science Studies CNMERS Urban Studies CCURBS
Classical Studies CCCLST CCENVS Middle East and Asian Visual Arts CCVIAR
Classics CCCLAS Ethnicity and Race Studies Languages and Cultures Women’s and Gender Studies
Comparative Literature & CCETRS CCMELC CCWMST
Society CCCOLI Evolutionary Biology of the Modern Greek Studies Yiddish Studies CCYIDD
Computer Science CCCOMS Human Species CCEBHS CNGRKM Undecided CCUNDC
Computer Science- Film Studies CCFMST Music CCMUSI
Mathematics CCCOMA Financial Economics CCFNEC Neuroscience and Behavior
Creative Writing CCCREA French CCFREN CCNEUR
16
18. Application Codes
Continued
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall, MC 2807
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Columbia Engineering Codes
Applied Mathematics ENAPMA Computer Engineering Engineering and Management Materials Science and
Applied Physics ENAPPH ENCOEN Systems ENENMS Engineering ENMSAE
Biomedical Engineering Computer Science ENCOMS Engineering Mechanics Mechanical Engineering
ENBIOE Earth and Environmental ENENME ENMECE
Chemical Engineering Engineering ENEAEE Financial Engineering ENFINE Operations Research ENOPRE
ENCHEN Electrical Engineering ENELEN Industrial Engineering ENINEN Undecided ENUND
Civil Engineering ENCIEN
You will be required to list up to three
extracurricular activities which you wish to
pursue in college on the Columbia Supplement.
Please use the codes below.
Extracurricular Activity Codes
78 Academic/Quiz Bowl 82 Entrepreneurship 37 Mock Trial 83 Science and Engineering
86 Academic Journals 20 Environmental Activism 38 Model Congress 50 Skiing/Snowboarding
03 Archery 21 Fencing 39 Model United Nations 51 Soccer
04 Art 22 Field Hockey 36 Multiculturalism 52 Softball
79 Badminton 23 Film/Filmmaking 97 Music Composition 53 Squash
05 Band 24 Football 40 Newspaper 54 Student Government
06 Baseball 32 Foreign Language 81 Orchestra/Chamber 55 Swimming/Diving
07 Basketball 25 Frisbee Music 56 Table Tennis/Ping Pong
08 Bowling 27 Golf 41 Peer Counseling 57 Tennis
10 Cheerleading 28 Gymnastics 42 Photography 58 Theatre/Improv
11 Chess 77 Hiking/Outdoor Adventure 43 Piano 65 Tour Guide/Campus
80 Chorus/A Capella 30 Ice Hockey 44 Political Activism Ambassador
13 Community Service 68 Jazz 45 Racquetball 59 Track/Cross Country
15 Crew 31 Lacrosse 46 Radio/TV/Video 61 Volleyball
16 Cricket 26 LGBT Activism 47 Religious 62 Water Polo
17 Cycling 33 Literary Magazine 85 Robotics/FIRST Robotics 63 Wrestling
18 Dance 34 Martial Arts 48 Rugby 64 Yearbook
19 Debate/Forensics 84 Math 49 Sailing
17
