Apply (Past Participants)

Past Participants

Students who have attended the program during a previous summer do not need to submit the personal statement, the recommendation letter from a guidance counselor or principal, or the application fee.

Application Deadlines

Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as some courses fill up before the application deadline. The admissions committee begins reviewing applications in early January.

Priority Application DeadlineFeb. 6, 2013

Application DeadlineApr. 3, 2013

Admission Requirements

Admission to the High School Programs is selective. The admissions committee looks for highly motivated students who are interested in attending the Summer High School Program because they have a passion for learning and because they wish to enrich their knowledge of a particular field.

Though there is no set minimum GPA requirement, the application materials should establish that the student has the necessary academic background and level of ability, motivation, and maturity necessary for the curricular option for which he or she is applying. Further, students must present evidence of the completion of any particular prerequisites identified in the individual program descriptions.

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and classes do fill up, students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Personal Interviews

Applicants may be required to interview with a member of the admissions committee to determine admission to the program.

International Students

International students are reminded that participation in the Summer Program for High School Students does not constitute the basis for securing a student visa. 

Note: While applicants are not required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores, students' English proficiency should be equivalent to 90 or above on the Internet-Based TOEFL or at least 6.5 on the IELTS. 

Application Materials

Applications and supporting materials (unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation, and writing samples) can be submitted through the online application. Official transcripts must be submitted in sealed envelopes.

All materials submitted by mail should clearly bear the program name, applicant's name, applicant's date of birth, and if available, Columbia University ID number.

Applications are not considered complete until all required materials have been received. Only complete applications are reviewed.

• Completed Online Application form.

  In order to apply online, past participants must create a new Apply Yourself account profile. They cannot submit a new application using an account profile from a prior application.
   

• Transcript of applicant's secondary school academic record. We require grades for all secondary school work completed, including current coursework. We strongly recommend submitting unofficial documents through the online application system at the time of application, as this will expedite the admissions process. Candidates offered admission will later be required to supply official documents prior to enrollment.
  
  If you are unable to obtain an unofficial copy of your transcript, please request to have an official copy sent from your school to our office at the address listed at the bottom of this page.
  
  If the transcript does not include the most recently completed term, the applicant or school should also submit a copy of the most recent report card.
  
  Transcripts must be in English or come with an official translation. International students not graded according to the U.S. grading system should provide a grading key with the transcript.

• Behavioral Standards Consent Form. Please note: behavioral standards are strictly enforced. Failure to abide by the Behavioral Standards Consent Form will result in expulsion from the program.
  Download form

• Letter of recommendation. Recommendation may be submitted through the online application. If recommenders are unable to submit their letters online, applicants should download a recommendation form (below) to print and give to the recommenders. The recommender should write the letter on official school letterhead, enclose the letter in an envelope along with the recommendation form, and sign across the seal. The sealed recommendation letter may be mailed in by either the recommender or the applicant. Applicants may submit their online applications in advance of the recommendation.

  Letter #1
  Juniors and seniors must submit a letter written by an instructor who teaches in a field closely related to the applicant’s chosen curricular option. The letter must describe the student’s knowledge of that field and assess the student’s qualification to engage in concentrated study.
  Freshmen and sophomores must submit a letter written by a teacher familiar with the student’s work. The letter must describe the student’s academic talents and potential to benefit from experience at Columbia.

• Writing sample (creative writing applicants only).
  
  Introduction to Creative Writing and Creative Writing: Introductory Workshop: 3-5 pages of any kind of writing demonstrating a command of grammar and punctuation.
  
  Creative Writing: Advanced Workshop: Two samples, 3-7 pages total (longer submissions are acceptable), consisting of poems, short stories, and/or scripts.
  
  Master Class in Prose Writing: Two samples, 5-10 pages total, consisting of fiction and/or literary nonfiction and an independent project proposal (see course description for details).
  
  Master Class in Poetry Writing: 5-10 pages of poetry and an independent project proposal (see course description for details).

Standardized test scores are not required as part of the application, although they may be submitted if available.

Mailing Address

Send all supporting materials not submitted online to:

Summer Program for High School Students
Office of Admissions
School of Continuing Education
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York , NY 10027-6902
212-854-9889
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Checking Application Status

Upon completion of your application file, it will take approximately three to five weeks for a decision to be made. Because it can take one to two weeks to process your application materials, please allow a sufficient amount of time after submitting your application before contacting the Admissions Office with questions or concerns about your application status.