High School Visiting Students

The Summer Term welcomes applications from qualified high school students.

Because of visa requirements, international students may not apply as High School Visiting Students. Current high school students are not eligible for University housing of any kind unless they are enrolled in the Summer Program for High School Students.

Application Deadlines

Completed applications should be received by the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before the beginning of the session you plan to attend. Applications made in person after these dates will be considered, provided they are accompanied by all required information, including transcript(s).

The Office of Admissions begins reviewing applications for the summer term in February.

Sessions D, E, F, J, X: Thursday, May 13

Session H (Russian Practicum): Thursday, May 27

Sessions Q, R, S (Russian Practicum): Wednesday, June 24

Application Materials

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online. Online applications can be processed more efficiently.

  1. Completed Online Application form.

    Applicants who are unable to apply online may download a copy of the application, complete it, and mail it, together with all supporting documents, to the address below.

  2. $50 nonrefundable application fee (U.S. currency). Applicants not applying online may pay in the form of a check or money order made out to Columbia University, or provide credit card information on the application form. Do not send cash. Checks must be in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank.

  3. Official transcript of most recent academic record in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution. Copies, opened or unsealed envelopes, unofficial printouts, or facsimiles will not be accepted. Many schools take a number of weeks to fulfill transcript requests; please plan accordingly.

  4. Applicants who are in high school should submit a letter of recommendation from your school principal or guidance counselor stating that they are qualified to take the course(s) listed on their application form. Note: Entry-level college courses (those numbered in the 1000s and 2000s) are usually the most appropriate for high school students.

  5. Applicants whose first language is not English must fulfill additional application requirements.

Submitting the Application

  1. Applicants who apply online are encouraged to submit all remaining supporting application materials in a single packet. Applicants who apply by mail should submit their application and all supporting materials in a single packet. While the Office of Admissions will accept materials submitted piecemeal, such submissions substantially delay the admissions process.

  2. All submitted materials should clearly bear the applicant's name, Social Security number, and the name of the program to which he or she is applying.

  3. Because of the large volume of applications we receive, the Office of Admissions cannot accept application materials (e.g., transcripts) submitted in advance of applications themselves.

  4. Applications are not considered complete until all required materials (including the application fee, and ALP scores if necessary) have been received. Only complete applications are reviewed.

Mailing Address and Contact Information

Office of Admissions
School of Continuing Education
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-6:15 PM; Friday, 9 AM-5 PM

Notification of Admissions Decision

Students who submit complete applications by the deadlines posted on this site will be notified of admissions decisions via e-mail. Once all application materials have been received, it usually takes two to three weeks for notification.

Students who miss the posted application deadlines must bring the application and all required supporting documents to 203 Lewisohn Hall in order to receive an admissions decision.