Columbia University

Columbia Applicant Portal Activation: QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Columbia on October 18, and Columbia may need a couple days to import them into their system. Once processed, Columbia will then email you instructions to log in and activate your Columbia applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit to Columbia.

1

Columbia QuestBridge Questionnaire

After Columbia has received your National College Match Application, Columbia will send you information about completing the Columbia QuestBridge Questionnaire. You can review information about the Columbia-Specific Questions on the Columbia website.

2

Official Transcript(s)

Columbia requires an official high school transcript from all high schools attended. Transcripts should be submitted by your high school counselor or school official as part of your National College Match application. If the transcript submitted as part of your National College Match application was not submitted by a school official, please have a school official submit a transcript directly to Columbia. Transcripts submitted by a student are not considered official.

3

Letters of Recommendation

Recommendations must come from teachers who taught you in academic disciplines. For engineering applicants, one of your two recommendations must come from a Math or Science teacher. Additional recommendation letters may be sent by a school official to ugrad-confirm@columbia.edu.

4

(Optional) Test Scores  
Self-Reported

Columbia is test-optional for applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Learn more about Columbia’s test-optional policy. Students who rank Columbia can indicate which, if any, scores they would like considered in Columbia’s review of their application. For students who would like to submit test scores, Columbia accepts self-reported test scores, scores reported on official transcripts, or scores verified through counselors. Official scores will be required for students who enroll at Columbia and request that their scores be considered for admission.

Non-native speakers should refer to our English proficiency testing requirements. 

5

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 2116
Available Oct. 1

Please Select "Regular Decision" as your admission application type.

If your parents are divorced or separated:

• Columbia requires the CSS Profile from all parents, including both biological parents in cases of divorce or separation, as well as any step-parents. Each household should submit their own CSS Profile. Review instructions here.
• If you do not have any contact with your noncustodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Download the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition.

6

2022 Federal Tax Returns and Forms

Both the custodial and non-custodial parent must submit copies of their 2022 federal tax returns signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2 forms and other earning statements. Include personal and corporate/ partnership tax returns. Submit via the IDOC system. 

Please note that after submitting the CSS Profile, College Board will prompt you to upload 2022 taxes via the IDOC System, which will be available by October 1. 

SUBMIT AS SOON AS AVAILABLE (likely by late December)

2024-2025 FAFSA

FAFSA code: 002707

The FAFSA will not be available until at least December 2023. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available and submit it directly to Columbia.

US Citizens, Permanent Residents and other Eligible Noncitizens only; not required for students living in the US without legal citizenship or residency.

Complete the FAFSA so Columbia may determine your eligibility for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, and Federal Direct Student Loans. There is no cost associated with completing the FAFSA.

Columbia strongly encourages families to utilize the Data Retrieval Tool to transfer IRS tax return information directly to the FAFSA.

Early Decision

Finalists who participated in and ranked Columbia University for the Match, submitted all required application materials, AND did not match at any partner schools may request to be considered as an Early Decision applicant to Columbia. 

Only Finalists with a completed application to Columbia will be eligible to make this request; eligible Finalists will receive additional information following Match notification.

Interested applicants should carefully review Columbia's policy on Early Decision, as there is a binding agreement to attend if admitted. 

Regular Decision

All Finalists who rank Columbia for the Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved into the Regular Decision process. You will not be able to start a new application or make changes to an application that has already been submitted. 

If you do not wish to be considered as a Regular Decision applicant, please email the admissions office to request that your application be withdrawn. (see Contact Information below).

Finalists who ranked Columbia and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Columbia

Columbia QuestBridge Questionnaire

QuestBridge Midyear Report
(When midyear grades are available. We recognize this may be after the January 1 deadline)

Official Transcript(s)

Update including recent grades

(Optional) Test Scores
Self-Reported

Only if new scores to report

(Optional) One-Page Letter of Continued Interest

Only if new information to share since QuestBridge Application submission

Only if new information to share since QuestBridge Application submission

Finalists who ranked Columbia and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Columbia

2024-2025 FAFSA

FAFSA code: 002707

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

2024-2025 CSS Profile

CSS code: 2116
Available: Oct. 1

2022 Federal Tax Returns and Forms

Submit online via College Board IDOC System.