Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · private nonprofit

Official site ↗

Admissions

Admit rate4.2%
Applicants
Middle-50% SAT1490–1570
Middle-50% ACT34–35
Avg GPA
Test policy
Avg net price / yr$20,148
Grad rate95%
Median earnings (10 yr)$102,491
Sourcescorecard_bulk · 2025

Application requirements

Early Decision2025-11-01
Regular / Rolling2026-01-01
Application fee$85 (US) · $85 (intl)
Personal essayRequired
Writing supplementYes
PortfolioVia SlideRoom
Test policynever required
Teacher recommendations2
Counselor recommendationRequired
Mid-year reportRequired

Source: Common App first-year Requirements Grid, 2025-26 cycle. Confirm on the college's site — requirements can change mid-cycle.

Supplemental essays

  1. List of Texts, Resources, and Outlets (100 words)· ~100 words
  2. Perspective, Viewpoint, or Lived Experience (150 words)· ~150 words
  3. Disagreement and Dialogue (150 words)· ~150 words
  4. Adversity and Growth (150 words)· ~150 words
  5. Why Columbia? (150 words)· ~150 words
  6. Preferred Area of Study (150 words)· ~150 words

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).