High School Visiting Students

Individuals who are currently enrolled in secondary school and who have exhausted their school's curriculum in a particular field may apply for admission as a High School Visiting student to take credit-bearing courses in that field. High School Visiting students must be actively enrolled in their secondary school throughout their studies at Columbia.

Limitations: Admission as a High School Visiting student is permitted for two terms of study, with continuation into the second term contingent on successful completion of the first. It is not normally possible to remain as a High School Visiting student beyond two terms.

Note: Recent high school graduates who have been denied admission to any undergraduate school at Columbia University are not eligible to enroll in the School of Continuing Education in any applicant category.

In addition to the academic year and summer college-credit program for visiting high school students, Columbia University also offers noncredit summer programs for high school students.

Because of visa requirements, international students may not apply as High School Visiting students.

Application Deadlines

Applicants are urged to submit application materials well in advance of the deadline.

The Office of Admissions begins reviewing applications for the fall term in early June, for the spring term in mid-October, and for the summer in late February. Students who wait until the deadline to submit an application must come in person to the Office of Admissions to receive a decision.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires a cumulative average of 3.0 or better and a determination by the admissions committee that the program will help the applicant achieve his or her stated goals.

Note: Applicants for whom English is not a first language will be required to demonstrate English proficiency before being considered for the program, regardless of whether or not they have studied at colleges or universities where the instruction is in English.

Application Materials

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online and to submit supporting materials online (except transcripts and test scores, which must be submitted in sealed envelopes). 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.  Do not send cash. Checks must be in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank.  If you would like to pay by credit card you must apply online.

3. Statement of purpose (300-400 words). The statement should address the applicant's current situation, academic goals, and purpose in applying to Columbia University as a High School Visiting student.

4. Official transcripts in envelopes sealed by the issuing institutions. 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.

5. Official scores on either the SAT or the ACT (SAT school code: 2594; ACT school code: 2721)

6. Letter of recommendation from your school principal or guidance counselor approving the courses you have selected.

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
ce-info@columbia.edu
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Notification of Admissions Decision

Students are notified of admissions decisions via e-mail. As soon as the review process has begun, it usually takes two to three weeks to receive a decision once all application materials have been received.

Students who complete their applications fewer than 10 days prior to registration must come in person, during registration, to receive an admissions decision.