COMBINED PLAN PROGRAM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions

Answers

1. What is the time frame for the program?

There are 2 options: The 3-2: 3 years at your home school and 2 at Columbia; apply in your junior year of college. The 4-2: 4 years at your home school and 2 at Columbia; apply in your senior year of college.

2. What degrees will I graduate with?

A B.A. from your home institution and a B.S. from Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

3. Is there guaranteed admission?

Yes, given that all the requirements are met, including the successful completion of all prerequisite courses listed in the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide for your intended major.

4. What are the requirements for guaranteed admission?

Admission is guaranteed if you:

Have been enrolled at an affiliated school for at least the past 2 years.
Receive an overall GPA and a pre-engineering GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Receive 3 favorable recommendations: from your Combined Plan liaison and one each from your science and math instructors at your home institution.
Have successfully completed the course load stipulated by the articulation agreement between your home institution and Columbia, which includes:
- the science and math prerequisite courses listed in the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide and
- the major and distribution requirements prescribed by your home institution.

5. What is the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide?

It provides the name and description of the courses recommended for each specific major and can be found online.

6. What is the best way to prepare for the program?

Start planning by at least your first or sophomore year of college.
Get to know your Liaison.
Follow the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide as closely as possible.
Keep all syllabi and course descriptions of your courses.
Get in touch with students who have attended the Columbia Combined Plan from your home school.
Explore the general Web site for The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University.

7. Is there guaranteed need-based financial aid?

Yes, for US citizens, US permanent residents, Canadian and Mexican citizens, and people in the US on refugee visas, 100% of an admitted student's demonstrated need is guaranteed to be met.

However, this is not the case for foreign students, for whom financial aid is granted on a case-by-case basis. Foreign students may be admitted without financial aid.

8. Is housing guaranteed?

Yes.

9. What kind of housing do Combined Plan students receive?

All first year, and some second (senior) year, Combined Plan students live in Carlton Arms, a suite-style residence hall on Riverside Drive, a 6-9 minute walk from campus. Each suite contains a double equipped kitchen, (including 2 full refrigerators and stove tops); 1-2 common rooms; 2 multi-person bathrooms; and single and double-occupancy rooms. Cost is $450-$600 per month. A limited number of second year Combined Plan students are eligible to participate in the room selection process as seniors.

10. What are the benefits of the program?

Guaranteed admission to one of the nation’s top engineering programs in one of the world’s top universities.
Employers in and out of the engineering fields appreciate the rare combination of problem solving and technical skills joined with a liberal arts groundwork.
Students will be connected to the expansive network of Columbia alumni for employment and research opportunities in New York and throughout the world.
For many jobs in the fields of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Math, Industrial Research, Operations Research, Engineering and Management Systems, a BS provides ample credentials for career advancement.
In the words of one recent Combined Plan graduate: “I chose the Combined Plan at Columbia because I wanted a diverse school in Manhattan and because of Columbia’s reputation. I got the ‘best of both worlds.’”

11. What are my opportunities for research?

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a broad range of ongoing faculty research projects encompassed by the Undergraduate Research Involvement Program.

12. What majors are available?

15 Programs:

Applied Physics
Applied Mathematics
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Engineering Mechanics
Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Earth and Environmental Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Management Systems
Industrial Engineering
Operations Research
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

13. Can I major or concentrate in Financial Engineering?

Financial Engineering is not a major at Columbia Engineering, but a concentration within the Operations Research major. Admission for this concentration is highly selective, and Combined Plan students interested in this area of study would apply as Operation Research majors, and apply for the Financial Engineering program during the fall of the first year at Columbia.

14. What is the enrollment size?

Of the 1400 undergraduate students in Columbia Engineering, approximately 150 are Combined Plan students.

15. When is the application deadline?

The PREFERRED DEADLINE to submit your application is February 1, 2009. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by the Admissions Committee that you submit you your materials by this preferred deadline. However, application materials will be accepted until March 15, 2009. Applicants will be notified of a decision no later than April 15. Your reply to an offer of admission must be postmarked by May 15.

16. Is there admission for the Spring term?

No, admission is for the Fall term only.

17. Is there an application fee?

Yes, it is $70.

18. What does the completed application include?

Part 1 and Part 2 of the Combined Plan application;
All official post-secondary school transcripts;
Any Advanced Placement test scores already taken;
1 recommendation from your Combined Plan Program liaison;
2 faculty recommendations — one each from a science and a math instructor;
Course descriptions of the courses that you have or are currently taking which fulfill the pre-requisites prescribed in the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide

19. How do I receive an application?

You may apply online after November 1, 2008.

20. How do I apply for Financial Aid?

Financial Aid Checklist:

FAFSA
CSS Profile
Signed copy of student taxes and W-2
Signed copy of parent taxes (including all schedules) and W-2
The Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing may require additional corporate and asset information and may contact you if necessary.
No student should assume one will be considered an independent for institutional aid purposes unless one's parents are deceased.
Financial Aid documents must be completed as soon as possible.

21. When are the financial aid forms due?

As soon as possible, and no later than March 1.

22. When will I be notified of the admissions decision?

By April 15th.

23. When must I notify Columbia of my decision if I am admitted?

Your reply must be postmarked by May 15.

24. Will I be considered for the program if I have not fulfilled all the prerequisites?

Yes. You will not be guaranteed admission but will still be considered for admission at the discretion of the Combined Plan admissions committee. In particular, the Economics and English requirements can be completed the summer before your first year at SEAS or, if your schedule allows, during your first year at SEAS.

25. Can I apply to the program if I am not from an affiliated school?

Yes. You will not be guaranteed admission but will still be considered for admission at the discretion of the Combined Plan admissions committee.

26. If my school gave credit and/or exemption for a prerequisite course due to AP scores or coursework at a non-affiliated school, will Columbia give credit and exemption?

It depends. Courses waived by your affiliated school will be evaluated by the Combined Plan admissions committee. Please be prepared to submit the course descriptions of any courses you have taken, including those not at an affiliated school.

27. Will I have room for non-technical liberal arts electives at Columbia?

Depending on your department and fulfillment of recommended coursework as outlined by the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide, your schedule may allow you to take non-technical elective courses. The average is three courses over the course of your time at Columbia.

28. Do I have to take Physical Education?

No.

29. How do I learn about Columbia’s Combined Plan Program for the Masters Degree?

Contact:
Columbia Engineering Graduate Student Services Office
Columbia University
524 S.W. Mudd,
500 W. 120th Street
New York, NY 10027
seasgradmit@columbia.edu
212-854-6438

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