How to Get Into Columbia University
Many of our students pine for admission to top schools, such as those in the Ivy League. Gaining admission is notoriously difficult, and every year, admission rates decline further. With that said, admission is not impossible. Read on to learn how you can separate yourself from the competition, and gain acceptance to schools like Columbia.
Columbia Overview
Columbia, established in 1754, is one of the highest ranked universities in the world, located in New York, New York. It is the oldest college in New York, and fifth oldest in the United States. The university’s buildings were mainly architected by Follen McKim, inspired by the Italian Renaissance, with the campus’s centerpiece being Low Memorial Library.
“Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis… It expects all areas of the University to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.” — Columbia University
How Difficult is it to Gain Admission to Columbia University?
It is extremely difficult to gain admission to Columbia University. The average weighted GPA of accepted students is 4.12, which requires nearly straight As. Meanwhile, the average SAT score of accepted students sits at 1505.
While the school is extremely selective, chances of admission increase drastically for students that have completed a passion project, research, and that have compelling essays.
We recommend scheduling an initial consultation to discuss crafting a successful application.
What was Columbia’s Acceptance Rate in 2022?
Columbia University’s acceptance rate was extremely low, as they admitted 3.73 percent of applicants to the Class of 2026. Only 2,253 applicants were admitted from a pool of 60,377 applications. This is consistent with the historical trend, as acceptance rates descend each year.
This means that admission to school is fiercely competitive. For those with certain racial demographics, or international students, the numbers look even lower.
What is Columbia Looking For?
Columbia is, in their own words, looking to “attract and engage the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries, and service to society.” Columbia is, like other top schools, looking for students that have an enormous amount of potential, and that have already demonstrated leadership, impact, and service.
Attracting the best minds in pursuit of greater human understanding, pioneering new discoveries, and service to society. — Columbia Admissions
How do I Submit an Application?
Columbia University uses the Common Application.
Columbia accepts first-year applications from students who are hoping to enroll full time at Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, which students should specify when they apply. Columbia admissions deploys a holistic review of applicants, and, in their own words, “[identifies] the applicants we believe will make the most of this experience—both during their time here, and throughout their lives.”
What are Columbia’s GPA Requirements?
Columbia admission officers will look most closely to the unweighted GPA, not the weighted GPA. This is because of the variability of different schools’ curriculums. Students with an unweighted GPA of 4.0, and a class rank in the top 5%, have the best chance of getting accepted. A class rank of top 10% is nearly mandatory barring exceptional hooks.
Does Columbia Require AP or IB?
Students are strongly encouraged to take a rigorous, renowned academic curriculum such as AP, IB, or A Levels. If your school does not offer such courses, you are advised to self-study and take the exams independently.
What are Columbia Standardized Testing Requirements?
Ivy Brothers recommends sending test scores, unless they are very low, as our data suggests that students who submit their test scores, even if slightly low, fare better in the admission process than those who don’t. This is especially true for students that are unhooked. For reference, unhooked means that the student doesn’t have a compelling admission advantage, such as being a recruited athlete or a child of a donor.
Students may submit either the SAT or ACT, and there is no advantage to one over the other.
What are Columbia’s SAT Requirements?
The minimum SAT score needed for Columbia is 1450, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Columbia, this would mean an SAT score of 1560.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Columbia’s ACT Requirements?
The minimum ACT score needed for Columbia is 33, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Columbia, this would mean an ACT score of 35.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Columbia’s English Language Proficiency Requirements?
Columbia’s requires a strong, fluent knowledge of English. Proficiency exams are not required, but international students are welcome to submit them, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
What are Columbia’s Common App Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
These prompts are intended for admission officers to better understand your background, goals, character, integrity, and other positive characteristics. The essay should be vulnerable, and should be unique. One of the biggest pitfalls we see in students’ essays is the topic being cliché and dull. To see some examples of successful essays, please schedule a virtual consultation with us.
What are Columbia’s Supplemental Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
List questions
For the following questions, we ask that you list each individual response using commas or semicolons; the items do not have to be numbered or in any specific order. No explanatory text or formatting is needed. (For example, it is not necessary to italicize or underline titles of books or other publications. No author names, subtitles or explanatory remarks are needed.)
List the titles of the books, essays, poetry, short stories or plays you read outside of academic courses that you enjoyed most during secondary/high school. (75 words or fewer)
We’re interested in learning about some of the ways that you explore your interests. List some resources and outlets that you enjoy, including but not limited to websites, publications, journals, podcasts, social media accounts, lectures, museums, movies, music, or other content with which you regularly engage. (125 words or fewer)
Short answer questions
Please answer the following questions.
A hallmark of the Columbia experience is being able to learn and thrive in an equitable and inclusive community with a wide range of perspectives. Tell us about an aspect of your own perspective, viewpoint or lived experience that is important to you, and describe how it has shaped the way you would learn from and contribute to Columbia's diverse and collaborative community. (200 words or fewer)
Why are you interested in attending Columbia University? We encourage you to consider the aspect(s) that you find unique and compelling about Columbia. (200 words or fewer)
Please tell us what from your current and past experiences (either academic or personal) attracts you specifically to the areas of study that you noted in the application. (200 words or fewer)
In Columbia’s admissions process, we value who you are as a unique individual, distinct from your goals and achievements. In the last words of this writing supplement, we would like you to reflect on a source of happiness. Help us get to know you further by describing the first thing that comes to mind when you consider what simply brings you joy. (35 words or fewer)
“These questions provide insight to your intellectual curiosity, habits of mind, love of learning and sense of self. They also allow the Admissions Committee to learn more about you in your current community and why you feel Columbia’s distinctive experiences in and out of the classroom would be a good fit for your undergraduate education.” — Columbia Admissions
What are Columbia’s Extracurricular Activity Requirements?
Columbia seeks students who will be engaged in their community or field of interest, and will make an impact on campus and beyond. This is an area where many students go wrong. You should develop a spiked passion in a particular field of interest. Here are some examples of extra-curricular activities of past, successful students in the admission process:
Started a Small Business
Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Predictions of Several Aspects of Trees with respect to Air Quality via Ardunio Sensors
Created a Novel Technique to Write and Run Neural Networks in C on x86_64 CPU Architecture
Wrote a Research Paper on Climate Policy in China versus Taiwan and Submitted to the Journal of East Asian Studies
ISEF Finalist
USACO Gold
Quantified Human Lung Toxicity During Space Travel by Regolith in Project Funded by NASA
Create a Literary Journal that Focuses on Mental Health
These are examples of top-tier extracurricular activities. If your activities do not resemble something similar, then we suggest scheduling a consultation to learn how we can create a game plan for your activity section. It is important to schedule a consultation to tackle this part of the process sooner rather than later. You don’t want to look as if you are doing projects last minute just for the college application.
What are Columbia’s Application Deadlines?
Early Decision: November 1st
Regular Decision: January 1st
Does my Race or Ethnicity Affect my Acceptance Rate at Columbia?
Yes, Columbia considers race and ethnicity. Students who identify as East Asian, Southeast Asian, or South Asian have significantly more difficult chances at admission. Many of our students fall into this category, and we make it our mission to help them stand out in a highly competitive pool.
This is backed by data from the National Centre for Education Statistics. Below is a graph that shows how, even as the Asian American population increases, the % of enrolled students has remained constant at top schools.
Does my Choice of Major Affect my Acceptance Rate at Columbia?
Yes, Columbia will compare you to other students who are seeking similar majors. In general, students will face the highest level of competition, and lowest acceptance rates, in majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
What is the Average Salary of a Graduate of Columbia University?
Columbia graduates, on average, make $107,600 ten years after finishing undergrad. This number is dependent on the choice of major and career. The top 10 percent of Columbia grads are making upwards of $250,000 by the time they're 32, and graduates who enter fields like consulting, technology, or finance regularly make a starting salary of $120,000 to $200,000.
For all students, the price of professional help in the admission process is well worth it in terms of return on investment. The last thing you want is for your student’s hard work in high school to go to waste.
Final Thoughts
Gaining admission to top schools is not an easy feat. Columbia is looking for students who will contribute positively to their campus, upholding the school’s values, and who are ambitious and yearn to contribute to their field of interest.
Ivy Brothers helps students to stand out in the competitive admission process through one-on-one mentorship. Schedule an initial consultation to learn how we help students achieve their educational and career goals.
