Columbia University Complete Information

Menu
// Undergraduate Admissions

International Applicants

Columbia University is a top university in the world, attracting students from all over the globe. If you’re an international student looking to study at Columbia, this guide will help you navigate the admissions process.

The Application Process

The application process for international students is more competitive, requires more time and money, and is more complicated than for domestic applicants.

International applicants must:

  • Submit an application that includes SAT or ACT scores, two recommendations (one academic), transcripts from all secondary schools attended in their home country, official test scores sent directly from ETS (for SAT only), a personal statement of up to 500 words describing how they meet Columbia’s admission requirements and why they want to attend Columbia University;
  • Pay a nonrefundable application fee of $80;
  • Have their English proficiency evaluated by one of our partner organizations, such as a TOEFL iBT test score of 80+, IELTS 5+ band score (or Pearson Test of English Academic), at least six overall band scores with no less than 5 in each skill area;
What to Expect When You Apply

You will fill out an application including your academic history and personal information. You will also write a personal statement explaining why you want to attend Columbia University and what makes you unique.

You must take a standardized test, such as the SAT or ACT. You can take these tests any time during high school or after graduating (even months after applying). If it has been more than five years since taking any of these tests, we recommend retaking them so that our admissions officers can see how much progress has been made since then.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

The English Language Proficiency Requirement is a part of the application and varies according to program. You can see the language requirement for each program on our website under "International Applicants."

The test you must take depends on your major; please refer to our website for more information about which exam is appropriate for your intended study area. ETS (Educational Testing Service) gives the tests at schools worldwide and administers these exams in many countries worldwide.

International Student Application Requirements

International students must complete the same application process as domestic students. International applicants must also submit all required materials by the appropriate deadlines, including:

  • An application for admission
  • The $80 nonrefundable application fee (paid online)
  • Official transcripts from all secondary schools attended in the past ten years (including those attended outside of the United States)
  • Test scores from either the SAT or ACT Test taken within two years of submitting your application (see below). 
  • Please note that Columbia does not accept TOEFL scores as part of their admissions requirements; however, students who wish to study at Columbia should consider taking this exam before applying. If you have already taken either test but did not receive notification about your results within two weeks after testing day.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for International Students

Columbia University offers several resources for international students on financial aid, including:

  • Scholarship opportunities through the Office of International Student Services (OISS). OISS provides information about scholarships, fellowships and awards available to international students at Columbia University. You can apply for these through your admissions application or by contacting OISS directly after you have been accepted into Columbia’s undergraduate program.
  • Financial aid in the form of loans and grants is available from both federal and private sources. The federal government offers loans through its Direct Loan Program, which allows eligible students to borrow money with favourable interest rates at participating schools throughout the country, including Columbia University. Private lenders provide similar services but may charge higher interest rates than federal lenders such as Sallie Mae or Wells Fargo Bank.

Get ready to apply to your dream school.

You’re ready to apply! You’ll take many steps and things you’ll need to do, so preparing yourself before beginning the application process is essential. Here are some tips on how to get started:

  • Make sure your resume is up-to-date and ready for review by admissions officers.
  • Please read through our website thoroughly–you don’t want any surprises regarding your interview!
  • Please familiarize yourself with our financial aid policies so that we can help make sure college is affordable for everyone who wants an education at Columbia University Undergraduate Admissions International Applicants.