Columbia University

Yes, Columbia is one of the most selective universities in the country. It admitted about 3.9% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 2,325 of more than 60,000 applicants and enrolling about 1,483 first-years. Admission is holistic, and 94% of enrolled first-years who reported a class rank were in the top tenth of their graduating class.

Columbia's overall acceptance rate is about 3.9% (roughly 2,325 admits from more than 60,000 applicants). Applying through Columbia's binding Early Decision plan carries better odds: it admitted 795 of 6,007 early applicants, an Early Decision rate of about 13%, well above the regular pool. Early Decision is binding, so you commit to enrolling if admitted.

Columbia does not report an average GPA for admitted students; instead it reports high school class rank. About 94% of enrolled first-years who submitted a rank placed in the top tenth of their class, and essentially all were in the top quarter. Columbia weighs the rigor of your course load, your GPA, and your class rank all as very important factors in its holistic review.

A 1500 is right at the edge of Columbia's range and worth submitting. Among enrolled first-years who sent scores, the middle 50% scored about 1510-1560 on the SAT (34-36 on the ACT), so a 1500 sits just below the 25th percentile. Columbia is test-optional, so applicants who don't submit scores are not disadvantaged.

Yes, Columbia is test-optional, so you may apply without submitting an SAT or ACT. If you do submit, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored about 1510-1560 on the SAT and 34-36 on the ACT. Standardized test scores are listed as only 'considered' in Columbia's admissions review, well below academics, essays, and recommendations, which are very important.

Columbia's full-year tuition is about $70,170, with required fees, food, and housing adding roughly $22,000 more (about $25,000 once books and personal expenses are included). Most families pay far less: Columbia meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, about 49% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, and the average need-based aid package for first-years is roughly $78,824.

Columbia is an Ivy League research university in Manhattan known for its Core Curriculum, a shared sequence of literature, philosophy, science, and art that every undergraduate completes. The most popular area of study is the social sciences at about 20% of degrees, followed by computer science (17%) and engineering (14%), with biological sciences, mathematics, and the visual and performing arts also well represented.

Yes. Columbia rates the application essay as a very important factor in its holistic review, alongside the rigor of your record, GPA, recommendations, extracurriculars, and character, and above standardized test scores, which are only 'considered.' With an admit rate near 3.9%, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways a strong applicant can stand out.

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