Advanced Academic Preparation

Available in summer.

This seven-week intensive course is designed for students who plan to enter an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a university in the United States. It will prepare students for university-level academic study by:

• focusing on academic writing skills, including:
  • academic essay format (two writing assignments per week will be assigned)
  • summarizing skills
  • vocabulary building
  • issues related to plagiarism and academic honesty (paraphrasing, citing sources, and using quotations appropriately)
• introducing research skills, including a tour of Columbia University’s libraries and instruction in the use of CLIO
• improving discussion skills, including fluency and advanced-level vocabulary, thus preparing students for participation in seminar discussions
• teaching presentation skills, including pronunciation, vocal projection, and appropriate body language
• building lecture-listening and note-taking skills by drawing on a variety of resources including:
  • live lectures by guest speakers
  • recorded lectures by university professors
  • a Columbia University E-Seminar (an on-line course designed by a Columbia professor)
  • two language laboratory hours per week for independent work
• teaching skills for coping with extensive reading

Students in the program will have access to Columbia University facilities, including the university libraries, the language laboratory, computers, and the gym.

English Proficiency Requirement

• All applicants must have a previous or current placement in Level 8 or higher at the American Language Program OR submit a copy of a TOEFL score of at least 575 (PBT) 230 (CBT) or 100 (IBT).
• On the morning of registration, all new students must sit for the American Language Program’s English Placement Test, Part I, and receive a score of at least 8A. In the afternoon, all new students will be asked to write a sample essay.
• Please be aware that a student who does not receive a score of 8a or higher upon arrival will be required to join the regular intensive program in English as a requirement.

Apply to Advanced Academic Preparation

Program Calendar