Columbia Advantage: Advanced English and University Study

Year-long program begins in summer. Please note: fall and spring semester segments may not be taken individually. You must take both semesters.

This three-term program is designed for students who plan to apply to an undergraduate program at Columbia University or another American university.

Columbia Advantage includes a coordinated sequence of courses, beginning with a seven-week summer session and continuing over the fall and spring semesters. In each term, students develop their academic English language skills. In the fall and spring semesters, students will take credit-bearing university courses at Columbia.

This series of courses blends a university-level curriculum with the study of advanced rhetorical techniques and critical analysis. These courses take advantage of the resources of Columbia University and New York City with academic lectures, research projects, structured field assignments, and site visits.

The Summer Term may be taken independently, or may be the first in the three-term, year-long sequence.

Apply to the Columbia Advantage Program

Curriculum
Summer Term Course
Fall Semester Courses
Spring Semester Courses
English Proficiency Requirement

Program Calendars
Summer 2010 Calendar
Fall 2010 Calendar
Spring 2011 Calendar

Curriculum

Summer Term Course (7 weeks, 8 points total)

Advanced Academic Preparation: An Introduction to the American University Experience. 8 pts.

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  (Columbia Libraries Information Online)
• 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
  

Fall Semester Courses (14 weeks, 12 points total)

Comprehensive English Skills course. 6 pts.
This course meets three times per week, either in the morning or the evening, with one required language laboratory hour. While the course offers practice in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), there is a special emphasis on academic writing.  This course is open to students in the Columbia Advantage Program, to degree candidates at Columbia University, and to non-matriculated ALP registrants.

Columbia University credit-bearing course. 3 pts.
Students attend a credit-bearing undergraduate humanities or social science course. Registration in University credit-bearing classes through the School of Continuing Education is open only to students in the Academic Advantage Program and to non-matriculated ALP registrants who have met minimum English requirements and who have received the approval of an academic advisor in the School of Continuing Education.

American Language Program Academic Support Tutorial 3 pts.
 This course provides focused, individualized practice in written or oral skills to help ensure success in the Comprehensive English Skills class and the University credit-bearing class.  Placement in this tutorial is determined by an academic advisor in the School of Continuing Education. This course is open only to students in the Columbia Advantage Program. 

American Undergraduate Education and the University Process. 1 pt.
This optional series of workshops will focus on undergraduate education in the United States and the college admissions process. These workshops are open to students in the Columbia Advantage Program and to non-matriculated ALP registrants at ALP levels 7 and above.

Topics include:

• types and rankings of college and universities
• admissions requirements
• degree requirements (distribution of courses and core course requirements)
• undergraduate majors
• grading system(s) (letter grades, points, GPA)
• academic discipline and dishonesty
• a close look at types of college applications
• the organization and development of personal essays
   

Spring Semester Courses (14 weeks, 12 points total)

English for Special Purposes. 3 pts.
Students choose one three-point course from among a suite of “extended content” academic English courses taught by ALP faculty members. In these courses, an entire semester’s English study is conducted in the context of an in-depth study of one theme or subject matter. Course offerings will vary from year to year; however, possible areas of extended study may include: English for Business, English for the Law, The Arts in New York, United States History and Contemporary Society, Globalization, and The Science and Social Consequences of Climate Change. These courses will feature university-level reading and writing assignments, as well as active participation in group projects, oral presentations and weekly discussion seminars.   All will draw upon the resources of Columbia University and the City of New York.

Columbia University credit-bearing courses. 3 pts. each (6 pts. total)
Students attend two credit-bearing undergraduate humanities or social science courses. Registration in University credit-bearing classes through the School of Continuing Education is open only to students in the Columbia Advantage Program and to non-matriculated ALP registrants who have met minimum English requirements and who have received the approval of an academic advisor in the School of Continuing Education.

American Language Program Academic Support Tutorial 3 pts.
 This course provides focused, individualized practice in written or oral skills to help ensure success in the ALP Extended Content course and the University credit-bearing courses.   Placement in this tutorial is determined by an academic advisor in the School of Continuing Education. This course is open only to students in the Columbia Advantage Program.

English Proficiency Requirement

The program includes individual academic advising and group tutorials. All applicants must have a previous or current placement in Level 7 or higher at the American Language Program and submit a recent copy of a TOEFL score of at least 575 (PBT) 230 (CBT) or 89 (IBT).

Program Calendar

Summer 2010: June 21 to Aug 6, 2010
Fall 2010: Sept 7 to Dec 23, 2010
Spring 2010: Jan 18 to May 13, 2011