International Student Application Requirements

International students are applicants and admitted students who are not United States citizens or permanent residents. This information applies to the Summer Sessions only.

1. Application Deadlines
   International students must submit completed applications at least 12 weeks before the beginning of the session the applicant wishes to attend.

   Applicants are strongly advised to apply by March for admission to the Summer Sessions.

2. Translation of Documents
   Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations.

3. English Language Proficiency
   Applicants who are non-native speakers of English, regardless of whether or not they have studied in schools where the instruction is in English, are required to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Use school code 2594 to report TOEFL scores).  Applicants can also submit official scores on the IELTS test.
   

   Applicants must have a score of at least 600 on the paper version of the TOEFL or 100 on the Internet-based version to be considered for admission. The admissions committee may consider verbal scores from the SAT, the ACT, or the GRE in making admissions decisions if TOEFL scores are unavailable.

4. Visas and Registration Requirements
   People admitted to study at Columbia University who are not United States citizens or permanent residents must be a full-time student at Columbia - registered for at least 6 points of credit-bearing courses in a six week session or 12 points of credit-bearing courses in the entire 12-week summer period - in order to be eligible for a student (F-1) visa.

   Eligible international students who wish to apply for an F-1 visa should do so immediately after they have received their letter of admission to the School of Continuing Education by contacting the International Students and Scholars Office at Columbia (below) at least three months before the first day of class. Students will then be sent information about obtaining an F-1 visa. Once in the United States in F-1 status, students must register for at least 6 points of credit-bearing courses, during the registration period, and remain so registered throughout the course of the session. If a student neglects to do this, or if a student falls below the 6-point minimum during the course of a session, the student will be reported in violation of F-1 regulations to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

   Visitors to the United States in B-1, B-2, WB or WT status are not allowed to enroll in classes at Columbia 's School of Continuing Education.

   International students who require a student (F-1) visa to study at Columbia are required to pay an International Services fee.

   For questions about individual cases please contact:

   International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
   212-854-3587
   isso@columbia.edu
   www.columbia.edu/cu/isso

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