Join a Tour or Information Session

Register for an information session, general campus tour, or engineering tour. See information on group tour reservations.

About Information Sessions & Tours

All information sessions, campus tours and engineering tours begin in the Visitors Center, located in Room 213 of Low Memorial Library. Please visit the interactive map of campus to help you navigate your visit. Reservations for information sessions and campus tours are strongly recommended and required for groups over 10. If your plans have changed, you do not need to formally cancel your reservation.

Information sessions last one hour and are conducted by members of the Admissions Committee. The information session offers you the opportunity to learn more about the Columbia undergraduate experience – Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the Core Curriculum, New York City, academic advising, research, internships, residential life, extracurricular activities, financial aid, requirements for admission, and other topics.

Campus tours last approximately one hour and are conducted by current undergraduate students who provide a general overview of academic and student life at both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering.

Engineering tours last one hour and are conducted by current Columbia Engineering undergraduate students on Fridays at 1:00PM. The engineering tour offers prospective students and families an in-depth look into The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Please note that the engineering tour is designed to supplement, but not replace, the Undergraduate Admissions information session and general campus tour. Space on these tours is limited, and due to increased volume we regret that we are unable to accommodate walk-in requests.

Science tours last half an hour with an optional lab visit at the end. While open to anyone, this tour is designed for prospective students seriously considering scientific research as a primary academic interest. The science tour highlights faculty, facilities, research, and the student experience in the biological, natural, and physical sciences while also touching on Columbia’s legacy of scientific discovery. The science tours are conducted by current Columbia College undergraduate scientists on Fridays from 12:05pm to 12:45pm, and select Mondays in March and April. At 12:45pm, tour participants may choose to either stay for an optional 15 minute lab visit or return to the Visitors Center for the start of the 1:00pm engineering tour (which will feature two lab visits). Please note that the science tour is designed to supplement, but not replace, the information session and general campus tour. Space on these tours is limited, and due to increased volume we regret that we are unable to accommodate walk-in requests.

Information sessions and campus tours begin in the Visitors Center located in Low Library, the heart of Columbia’s main campus.

Fact

Information sessions last one hour and are conducted by members of the Admissions Committee.

Group Tours

Reservations are required for groups larger than 10. Please submit a Group Visit Request Form at least 3 weeks prior to the date of your intended visit. Please email your completed form to Kip Conlon, Visitors Center, at ugrad-group@columbia.edu. This email address should only be used for group visit requests. Please note that submitting a request does not confirm your group visit. Your group visit to campus is only confirmed after you have received an email from Kip Conlon approving your request. The subject line of this email will state: "Columbia University – Group Visit Confirmation."

Group tours are only offered during the regularly scheduled information session and campus tour times. The Visitors Center can only accommodate a maximum of 40 students per group and does not sponsor group visits on weekends or during University holidays.