Postbaccalaureate Studies Students

Applicants without current academic affiliation who wish to take courses at Columbia in the summer should apply for Postbaccalaureate Studies student status in the School of Continuing Education.

Note for International Students
International students must register for 12 points and for the entire 12-week Summer Term. They should be aware of additional application and visa requirements, registration obligations, and earlier deadlines.

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 14

Session H (Russian Practicum): Thursday, May 28

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. $50.00 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 transcripts in envelopes sealed by the issuing institutions, certifying conferral of at least a bachelor's degree. 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. The statement of purpose (no more than 500 words) should address your interests and purpose in entering the program. Some applicants have used their statements as an opportunity to amplify information contained on the application or academic transcripts. The statement provides an excellent forum for explaining any weaknesses that may appear on the transcript or to highlight any strengths that may not be evident elsewhere.

  5. International students and non-native English speakers who do hold a B.A. 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, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 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.