Difference between revisions of "Get Into Columbia University"
m (importing article from wikihow) |
m (Update ref tag) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
#Choose the appropriate program. Potential undergraduates at Columbia can apply to either Columbia College or Columbia School of Engineering. If you are unsure about your area of interest, or know that it will not involve engineering or computer science, you will want to apply to Columbia College. | #Choose the appropriate program. Potential undergraduates at Columbia can apply to either Columbia College or Columbia School of Engineering. If you are unsure about your area of interest, or know that it will not involve engineering or computer science, you will want to apply to Columbia College. | ||
#Speak to past graduates of Columbia University. Contact the school or program of your choice at Columbia to ask if they have a list of alumni you can speak to about the nature of their academic experience and how they prepared for the program. | #Speak to past graduates of Columbia University. Contact the school or program of your choice at Columbia to ask if they have a list of alumni you can speak to about the nature of their academic experience and how they prepared for the program. | ||
| − | #Visit the campus. Columbia offers information sessions and campus tours for prospective students. You should sign up in advance to make sure you get a time that coincides with your ability to be on campus.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/visit</ref> While on campus, take the opportunity to speak to current students about their experiences and what they did to prepare for Columbia. | + | #Visit the campus. Columbia offers information sessions and campus tours for prospective students. You should sign up in advance to make sure you get a time that coincides with your ability to be on campus.<ref name="rf1">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/visit</ref> While on campus, take the opportunity to speak to current students about their experiences and what they did to prepare for Columbia. |
| − | #*If you cannot get to New York City, the school offers off-campus information sessions. See if one is close to you.<ref>https://apply.college.columbia.edu/register/</ref> | + | #*If you cannot get to New York City, the school offers off-campus information sessions. See if one is close to you.<ref name="rf2">https://apply.college.columbia.edu/register/</ref> |
| − | #Develop your academic strengths. Take the most advanced or accelerated academic courses available to you in your high school, and do well in them. Columbia's admissions office looks for students who challenge themselves academically whenever possible. Over 90% of the class of 2018 graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/2018profile.pdf</ref> | + | #Develop your academic strengths. Take the most advanced or accelerated academic courses available to you in your high school, and do well in them. Columbia's admissions office looks for students who challenge themselves academically whenever possible. Over 90% of the class of 2018 graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class.<ref name="rf3">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/2018profile.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Develop extracurricular interests. Columbia's admissions committee uses a "holistic" review process, meaning they take into account not only a person's academic marks, but also extracurricular activities. Columbia wants undergraduate students who can make an impact outside the classroom, and contribute to social and cultural life at the school.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/holistic</ref> | + | #Develop extracurricular interests. Columbia's admissions committee uses a "holistic" review process, meaning they take into account not only a person's academic marks, but also extracurricular activities. Columbia wants undergraduate students who can make an impact outside the classroom, and contribute to social and cultural life at the school.<ref name="rf4">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/holistic</ref> |
#*The Columbia Writing Supplement asks about books, newspapers, and magazines you have read, or films, concerts, exhibitions, and other performances you have seen over the prior year. Use this as an opportunity to expand your own horizons, and take in as many of these extracurricular opportunities as possible. | #*The Columbia Writing Supplement asks about books, newspapers, and magazines you have read, or films, concerts, exhibitions, and other performances you have seen over the prior year. Use this as an opportunity to expand your own horizons, and take in as many of these extracurricular opportunities as possible. | ||
| − | #Score high on the required standardized tests. You can apply to Columbia by taking the SAT and two SAT subject tests, or the ACT. If you are applying Early Decision, you can take the tests as late as November, and as late as January for Regular Decision. You may take the tests multiple times, as Columbia will only review the highest score. Be advised, Columbia will only look a scores from a single sitting of the test, so you can't mix and match.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/testing</ref> | + | #Score high on the required standardized tests. You can apply to Columbia by taking the SAT and two SAT subject tests, or the ACT. If you are applying Early Decision, you can take the tests as late as November, and as late as January for Regular Decision. You may take the tests multiple times, as Columbia will only review the highest score. Be advised, Columbia will only look a scores from a single sitting of the test, so you can't mix and match.<ref name="rf5">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/testing</ref> |
#*For the SAT, Columbia does not require the Writing Section, only Math and Critical Reading. The middle 50% of admitted students in the class of 2018 scored between 2160 and 2330 on all three sections. | #*For the SAT, Columbia does not require the Writing Section, only Math and Critical Reading. The middle 50% of admitted students in the class of 2018 scored between 2160 and 2330 on all three sections. | ||
#*For the SAT subject tests, Columbia recommends choosing subjects in your strengths. If you are applying to the School of Engineering, you should take Math and one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. Columbia advises that you should not take Foreign Language subject test if you are a native speaker. | #*For the SAT subject tests, Columbia recommends choosing subjects in your strengths. If you are applying to the School of Engineering, you should take Math and one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. Columbia advises that you should not take Foreign Language subject test if you are a native speaker. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
#Write a strong personal statement. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and pay close attention to the length, topic matter, and format required. Ask others, such as trusted teachers, friends, and relatives, to review your essay before submission to comment on its clarity and effectiveness. | #Write a strong personal statement. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and pay close attention to the length, topic matter, and format required. Ask others, such as trusted teachers, friends, and relatives, to review your essay before submission to comment on its clarity and effectiveness. | ||
#Provide good letters of recommendation. Columbia requires letters from your high school guidance counselor and two teachers from academic disciplines. If you are applying to the engineering school, one must be a math or science teacher. These letters should come from teachers who are closely familiar with your work ethic, communication skills, character, and capabilities. If they are willing, take the opportunity to talk with your letter writers about why you wish to attend Columbia, which can help provide a more personalized letter that really emphasizes your strengths as an applicant. | #Provide good letters of recommendation. Columbia requires letters from your high school guidance counselor and two teachers from academic disciplines. If you are applying to the engineering school, one must be a math or science teacher. These letters should come from teachers who are closely familiar with your work ethic, communication skills, character, and capabilities. If they are willing, take the opportunity to talk with your letter writers about why you wish to attend Columbia, which can help provide a more personalized letter that really emphasizes your strengths as an applicant. | ||
| − | #Fill out the application as completely as possible. Make sure you have all of your materials ready when you submit the Common Application. Review the Columbia-specific questions for the Writing Supplement, and prepare your answers within the guidelines provided.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/writing-supplement</ref> | + | #Fill out the application as completely as possible. Make sure you have all of your materials ready when you submit the Common Application. Review the Columbia-specific questions for the Writing Supplement, and prepare your answers within the guidelines provided.<ref name="rf6">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/writing-supplement</ref> |
| − | #Provide supplementary materials. There is space on the Common Application to provide supplementary materials for work in science or the arts. If you have experience in these fields, include materials to help give depth to your application. Make sure to carefully review the correct types of materials, including formatting and file type.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/supplementary-materials</ref> | + | #Provide supplementary materials. There is space on the Common Application to provide supplementary materials for work in science or the arts. If you have experience in these fields, include materials to help give depth to your application. Make sure to carefully review the correct types of materials, including formatting and file type.<ref name="rf7">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/supplementary-materials</ref> |
=== Applying as a Transfer Student === | === Applying as a Transfer Student === | ||
#Choose the appropriate program. Potential undergraduates at Columbia can apply to either Columbia College or Columbia School of Engineering. If you are unsure about your area of interest, or know that it will not involve engineering or computer science, you will want to apply to Columbia College. | #Choose the appropriate program. Potential undergraduates at Columbia can apply to either Columbia College or Columbia School of Engineering. If you are unsure about your area of interest, or know that it will not involve engineering or computer science, you will want to apply to Columbia College. | ||
| − | #Do well in your first semester. Columbia's admissions office will generally be unable to look at grades from the second semester, so grades from the first will weigh heavily on your application. You will need a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be considered, and the school strongly encourages a minimum of 3.5 in science and engineering courses for the School of Engineering.<ref>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/transfer</ref> | + | #Do well in your first semester. Columbia's admissions office will generally be unable to look at grades from the second semester, so grades from the first will weigh heavily on your application. You will need a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be considered, and the school strongly encourages a minimum of 3.5 in science and engineering courses for the School of Engineering.<ref name="rf8">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/transfer</ref> |
#Take enough appropriate classes. To transfer to Columbia, you must have completed, or be scheduled for, 24 credit points. Make sure you are taking, and have taken, transferrable credits. Columbia does not accept transfer credits from departments such as business, communications, and education, as the school does not have those departments. | #Take enough appropriate classes. To transfer to Columbia, you must have completed, or be scheduled for, 24 credit points. Make sure you are taking, and have taken, transferrable credits. Columbia does not accept transfer credits from departments such as business, communications, and education, as the school does not have those departments. | ||
| − | #*Colleges may count class credits differently. Review Columbia's requirements to make sure you are on the right track<ref>https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/csa/transfercredit</ref> | + | #*Colleges may count class credits differently. Review Columbia's requirements to make sure you are on the right track<ref name="rf9">https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/csa/transfercredit</ref> |
| − | #Develop extracurricular interests. Columbia's admissions committee uses a "holistic" review process, meaning they take into account not only a person's academic marks, but also extracurricular activities. Columbia wants undergraduate students who can make an impact outside the classroom, and contribute to social and cultural life at the school.<ref | + | #Develop extracurricular interests. Columbia's admissions committee uses a "holistic" review process, meaning they take into account not only a person's academic marks, but also extracurricular activities. Columbia wants undergraduate students who can make an impact outside the classroom, and contribute to social and cultural life at the school.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*The Columbia Writing Supplement asks about books, newspapers, and magazines you have read, or films, concerts, exhibitions, and other performances you have seen over the prior year. If you are already attending a college, there will undoubtedly be a variety of opportunities to attend interesting and worthwhile events. | #*The Columbia Writing Supplement asks about books, newspapers, and magazines you have read, or films, concerts, exhibitions, and other performances you have seen over the prior year. If you are already attending a college, there will undoubtedly be a variety of opportunities to attend interesting and worthwhile events. | ||
#Make sure your materials are up to date. If you have previously applied to Columbia, past materials such as test scores and essays will not roll over. Before resubmitting materials, such as your personal essay, try to review review and improve upon them, using on your own personal growth and input from others at your current institution. | #Make sure your materials are up to date. If you have previously applied to Columbia, past materials such as test scores and essays will not roll over. Before resubmitting materials, such as your personal essay, try to review review and improve upon them, using on your own personal growth and input from others at your current institution. | ||
#Provide two good letters of recommendation. Columbia requires letters from college instructors. Letters should come from professors who are closely familiar with your work ethic, communication skills, character, and capabilities. If they are willing, take the opportunity to talk with your letter writers about why you wish to attend Columbia, which can help provide a more personalized letter that more strongly emphasizes your strengths as an applicant. | #Provide two good letters of recommendation. Columbia requires letters from college instructors. Letters should come from professors who are closely familiar with your work ethic, communication skills, character, and capabilities. If they are willing, take the opportunity to talk with your letter writers about why you wish to attend Columbia, which can help provide a more personalized letter that more strongly emphasizes your strengths as an applicant. | ||
| − | #Fill out the application as completely as possible. Make sure you have all of your materials ready when you submit the Common Application. Review the Columbia-specific questions for the Writing Supplement, and prepare your answers within the guidelines provided.<ref | + | #Fill out the application as completely as possible. Make sure you have all of your materials ready when you submit the Common Application. Review the Columbia-specific questions for the Writing Supplement, and prepare your answers within the guidelines provided.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #Provide supplementary materials. There is space on the Common Application to provide supplementary materials for work in science or the arts. If you have experience in these fields, include materials to help give depth to your application. Make sure to carefully review the correct types of materials, including formatting and file type.<ref | + | #Provide supplementary materials. There is space on the Common Application to provide supplementary materials for work in science or the arts. If you have experience in these fields, include materials to help give depth to your application. Make sure to carefully review the correct types of materials, including formatting and file type.<ref name="rf7" /> |
=== Applying as a Graduate Student === | === Applying as a Graduate Student === | ||
