Visiting Student Program
General Information
The Visiting Student Program at Columbia College is an opportunity for students to broaden their college experience and supplement the undergraduate programs at their home institutions by studying at Columbia for up to two semesters. Please note that this is not the same as the Visiting Student program offered by the School of Continuing Education.
Eligibility
The program is open to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program at another college/university and will have completed at least one full year of college credit by the time of enrollment. While the program is designed for sophomore and junior undergraduate students, senior (or fourth-year) students may be considered.
Students who attend institutions outside of the United States are eligible to apply.
Visiting students in Columbia College are expected to take advantage of the endless resources of New York CityCourses
Visiting Students may take any course in Columbia College excluding the courses in the Core Curriculum. Visiting Students are eligible also to enroll in select courses in Columbia Engineering and Barnard College, as long as those courses are open to Columbia College students.
Columbia does not guarantee that Visiting Students will be able to enroll in any specific class until the time of registration, and we therefore encourage students to have a wide selection of courses ready at the time of registration. Visiting Students may not enroll in any of Columbia’s graduate schools (including Columbia Business School) without the permission of the instructor and permission from their Advising Dean in the Center for Student Advising.
Visiting Students must maintain full-time status by registering for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and may take a maximum of 22 credit hours. Most students schedule 15-18 credit hours (3 to 4 classes) per semester. We recommend that you consult with your dean/academic advisor at your home institution to help plan your curriculum at Columbia and ensure that Columbia credits will transfer.
Life at Columbia
Visiting students may take advantage of most of the programs and activities available to Columbia College students. They have a special advisor through the Center for Student Advising who assists with course selection and connects them with campus resources. In addition, they may take advantage of certain resources through the Center for Career Education (such as career fairs, workshops and panels and networking nights) with the exceptions of on-campus recruiting, the national and international internship programs and individual counseling. Visiting students can participate in any extra-curricular organization with the exception of our Division I athletic teams.
Visiting Student Program Comparison
| Columbia College | School of Continuing Education |
| Eligibility: only undergraduates in degree-seeking programs | Eligibility: high school students, undergraduates and graduate students |
| Classes primarily in Columbia College | Classes available across multiple University divisions (including graduate-level courses) |
| Students must study full-time | Students may study part-time |
| Tuition is charged per semester (plus mandatory fees and, if applicable, room/board) | Tuition is charged per class |
| Program is available during the academic year only | Program is available during academic year and summer term |
| Campus housing may be available | Campus housing is typically not available during the academic year |
| Application process directed by Office of Undergraduate Admissions | Application process directed by School of Continuing Education |
Admissions Information
Please note that Visiting Students to Columbia College are not permitted to apply for transfer admission.
The Visiting Student Program accepts students to enter in either fall (September) or spring (January) semesters; students may enroll for a maximum of two semesters (either consecutive fall/spring semesters or spring/fall semesters).
Deadlines
- For spring semester: Applications must be postmarked by October 15th; students will be notified by mid-November.
- For fall semester: Applications must be postmarked by March 15th; students will be notified by mid-May.
A completed application includes:
- Visiting Student Application and Essay
- Statement of Good Standing/Letter of Recommendation
- Official transcript from your current institution (if not in English, an official English translation of the transcript is required)
- A non-refundable check or money order for $80 made payable to Columbia University
Special note for non-English speakers: All Columbia students must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English; if your home language is not English and if your primary language of instruction has not been English for at least five years, you are required to take an English proficiency exam and submit official scores. Details on our minimum scores and how to submit can be found here (under "English Proficiency Examination").
Requirements
- Students must be eligible.
- Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) and be in good standing at their home institutions
- The essay should clearly express an applicant's knowledge of Columbia and how the Visiting Student program will help enhance his/her overall educational experience
Please note the importance of these requirements as the admissions process is competitive.
Financial Aid
The estimated cost (tuition and fees) of attending Columbia College can be found here. Please note that there is no financial aid available from Columbia for Visiting Students; however, financial aid from your home institution may be transferable to Columbia, and you should consult with your home institution’s financial aid office.
Housing
Housing is not guaranteed for Visiting Students, although we will try our best to accommodate students who indicate a desire to live on campus. Admitted students will be notified at the time of admission if they will receive housing.
