Additional Requirements

Social Security Number Reporting

To comply with current and anticipated Internal Revenue Service mandates, Columbia University requires students who will be receiving financial aid or payment through the University payroll system to report their Social Security number at the time of admission. Newly admitted students who are eligible but do not have a Social Security number should obtain one well in advance of their first registration.

Permission of the Instructor or Department

If a course description or listing in the Directory of Classes specifies that permission of the instructor or departmental representative is required for admission to the course, students must obtain the appropriate signature on the registration form, a signed letter, or receive permission by e-mail before they can register.

Students who wish to take graduate courses but who are not enrolled as graduate degree candidates at Columbia may be required to obtain written permission from the instructor or departmental representative.

Immunization Requirements

Meningococcal Meningitis Decision
New York State public health law requires that students receive information from their institutions about meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine that protects against most strains of the disease that can occur on university campuses. Columbia students must make an informed decision about being vaccinated and certify their decision online. Full instructions are given online, and the process takes two to three minutes to complete. Students must formally indicate their decision about being vaccinated before they will be permitted to register for classes. Certify your meningitis decision online before registration begins.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
New York State public health law requires that students taking 6 or more points provide documentation of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) before their first term of study. There are several ways to document immunity. In all cases, the Columbia University MMR form must be completed and submitted to 402 John Jay Hall no later than the specified deadline. Please note: the MMR form requires a physician's signature.

The blood test or MMR immunizations can be obtained at Primary Care Medical Services. If you have any questions about these requirements, please e-mail us at hs-enrollment@columbia.edu or visit www.health.columbia.edu.

Immunizations Recommendations
In addition, Health Services at Columbia recommends that all students be properly immunized against or have immunity to the following: hepatitis B (three-dose series), varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, and all routine childhood diseases. These immunizations are available at Primary Care Medical Services, and students enrolled in the Health Service Program are charged for the cost of the vaccine. For more information, please visit www.health.columbia.edu.