Columbia University is New York City's only Ivy League school. The University's main campus spreads across six blocks of the upper west side, in the picturesque neighborhood of Morningside Heights. Not surprisingly, Columbia University students typically become engrossed in the myriad of activities associated with living in New York City. Nonetheless, there is a great sense of community on the Columbia campus, particularly among the undergraduate student population.

Columbia College, the undergraduate school of arts and sciences, is the oldest part of the University, founded in 1754. It is committed to providing the best general education curriculum available anywhere in the country, an undergraduate experience that engages students in an ongoing discourse on knowledge and ideas. The program stresses small seminars in which students read and discuss fundamental works in the arts, humanities, and sciences, and then develop their understanding of them through critical analysis, class discussion, and writing. In many ways, it is students' interests and ambitions that set the path for coursework and discussions. Columbia stresses close interaction between professors and students, with the goal of developing students' abilities to reason, to formulate ideas, and to communicate their thoughts clearly. Columbia provides an outstanding undergraduate grounding and is a particularly apt choice for students interested in pursuing graduate academic work, particularly in research-based disciplines.

Columbia's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is the oldest, and one of the best, engineering schools in the U.S. It is committed to giving all students, even first-years, first-hand research experience. It also gives students a wide range of opportunities to pursue cross-disciplinary studies and to combine a bachelor of science degree with a minor in the liberal arts.

It is hard to conceive of an intellectual interest that could not be pursued at Columbia. The University offers undergraduate study at Columbia College (formerly known as King's College), the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies (which is oriented to the needs of returning and non-traditional students). Graduate and professional programs are offered through Columbia's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts, the Graduate School of Business, the School of International and Public Affairs, the Graduate School of Journalism, the School of Law, the School of Nursing, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the School of Social Work. The University also has a School of Continuing Studies, and is affiliated with four separate institutions: Barnard College, Teachers College, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary. While each of these schools enjoys a reputation for excellence, Columbia is particularly renowned for its Graduate School of Business, its School of International and Public Affairs, and its Teachers College.

General Information
Columbia University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
212 Hamilton Hall
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 854 - 2522

Private
Founded 1754
No religious affiliation
Urban
Semester
Admission Information
Admission Director: Jessica Marinaccio
Email: ugrad-admiss@columbia.edu

Early decision
Early decision application deadline:

November 1 (or first business day thereafter)The decision is sent by mid December.
Regular decision

Regular decision deadline: January 1 (or first business day thereafter)The decision is sent by April 1.

Transfers

Transfer application deadline: March 15 (or first business day thereafter)The decision is sent by April 1.
Applicants must submit SAT or ACT (with Writing) scores, plus 2 SAT Subject Test scores. For engineering applicants, one Subject Test must be in mathematics and the other in physics or chemistry. Home-schooled applicants must submit scores from 4 SAT Subject Tests.
SAT/ACT and SAT II scores must be received by January 1.
NOTE: Columbia cannot accept SAT scores sent by 'rush' service.

The Common Application is not accepted.

Campus visit: Recommended
Interview: Off-campus alumni interviews are available.
Early decision acceptance rate: 23.1%
Top 10% of high school class: 94%
SAT score (25/75 percentile): 1980-2220
ACT score (25/75 percentile): 28-33
Financial Aid
Tuition and fees for 2007-2008: $37,223
Room and board for 2007-2008: $9,937
Average financial aid package for 2007-2008: $27,203

Student Body
Undergrad student body: 7,467
Greek life: 10% to 15%
5 year graduation rate: 88%
Out of state students: 74%