Message from Jessica Marinaccio, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

Welcome!

The Undergraduate Admissions website has been created both for prospective students and for prospective parents and families. The Parents and Families section is designed to address the questions that may arise during your child’s application process. This is one of the most exciting and important times in your student’s life, and your student should take ownership of the process to learn more about herself or himself and to feel a greater sense of achievement in the end.

While I know the college search truly belongs to the student, I also know, as a parent, that the student’s family has an important role to play. Parents can begin by learning about Columbia’s undergraduate admissions and financial aid process, and about the resources at Columbia for both students and families.

Please scroll down to learn more about how you can help your child. To help you get started, here is a brief checklist of ways in which we encourage parents to be involved:

• Support your student in her or his exploration of college possibilities through website research, campus visits, and information sessions near your hometown.
• Learn about financial aid policies at different schools and understand how need-based financial aid can make a private college affordable. Columbia offers one of the most generous need-based financial aid programs in the country.
• Talk to your student about the required standardized tests for admission. Visit Admissions and Financial Aid 101 for links to testing dates and deadlines.

As an admissions officer and as a parent, I thank you for your support and encouragement of your student and invite you to learn more about the Columbia family. Please feel free to contact us at parentask@columbia.edu with any additional questions.

Sincerely yours,

Jessica Marinaccio
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

Every first-year student lives in a residence hall on Columbia’s main quadrangle, South Field.

Fact

Over 50% of faculty & staff live in Morningside Heights, some in our residence halls.

Admissions and Financial Aid: The Basics
Find out more about Columbia’s admission and financial aid process. Learn what the Columbia application entails and how students are reviewed in admissions committee. Access financial aid forms, find out more about how we help families afford a Columbia education and learn about our recent extensive financial aid enhancements.

Resources for Columbia Students
Learn about the many offices that will help your student during her or his time at Columbia. From the Center for Student Advising to Housing and Dining to the Center for Career Education, there are countless student affairs professionals who offer each student personalized attention and the tools to succeed.

The Columbia Family
Parents and families play an important role at Columbia, from the admissions process to the college years to beyond. Find out more about the Parent and Family Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Although you should visit the main Frequently Asked Questions section, here are specific questions and answers designed just for prospective parents and families.