Frequently Asked Questions

The following are a list of frequently asked questions from across Student Affairs collected here in one place for your convenience. You can browse by topic/department or search by keyword.

CUSP FAQ, Scholars Program

Are there any networking opportunities with Columbia Alumni and Alumni of the Scholars Program?

We are constantly seeking out alumni connections for our current Scholars. Through intimate, small-scale dinners, we unite students and alumni interested in a variety of fields - business, medicine, and even fine cuisine. We are also expanding our alumni database to promote more alumni internship opportunities for CUSP.

Are there special opportunities for Scholars?

Yes! As a Scholar, you participate in an academic enhancement program featuring speakers, cultural events, meals with faculty and alumni, and year-long and summer internship and research assistantship programs. We are always looking for new opportunities to enrich your experience here at Columbia.

Can I defer a year, take a year off, or study abroad, and still be a Scholar?

Yes! You will still be a Scholar, and a welcome participant in our community, even if you take some time off from Columbia.

Can I make suggestions for guest speakers?

We welcome suggestions for future speakers - in fact, some of our most exciting and thought-provoking programs have come about as the result of a Scholar's request for a certain speaker (Ernest Drucker, Diane Ravitch, Philip Gourevitch, Samantha Power, and George Bizos, to name just a few).

Can I use the CUSP Office as an additional academic and general advising office?

Of course. In addition to the Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program, the CUSP Office was responsible for prestigious national fellowship advising for several years. As you consider graduate school options, we can assist you with your fellowship search and application process. In addition, we are here to advise you on academic matters, as well as any other questions or concerns you may have.

How does one become a Scholar?

Scholars are selected by the Office of Admissions during the application process, based on their academic and extracurricular achievements during high school. All applicants are considered for participation in the Scholars Program; there are no special application forms required.

Is there a financial package involved in being a Scholar?

While participating in the Program may help you with your financial aid needs, all Scholars' aid packages are determined on a case-by-case basis. Your financial aid officer can assist you with questions regarding educational financing.

What is required of me as a Scholar?

Throughout your four years at Columbia, we expect you to take full advantage of the resources and programming our office presents. As a first-year, we expect you to attend three of the five large lecture events, as well as the Columbia Journey Seminar series (if you are a first-year Scholar). Most Scholars attend our events regularly throughout their Columbia careers for the intellectual stimulation, social engagement, relaxed atmosphere, and the unique opportunity to interface with remarkable leaders.

Why are certain meetings and events mandatory?

We want to help you make the most of your time here, and we expect you to make the Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program a priority. Certain events are mandatory for first-year Scholars to enable you to experience the breadth of activities and events our office presents, and to develop new friendships with fellow Scholars, professionals, and the CUSP administration.

Will participating in the Scholars Program help me get a job? An internship? Summer employment? Accepted into graduate of professional schools?

Participating in the Scholars Program will broaden your horizons and challenge you to view the world in a new light. We offer ideas and issues you may not encounter in the classroom, and this element of your education - the exploration of current issues through an academic and intellectual lens - will serve you well in whatever field, discipline, or occupation you pursue. While participation in CUSP is a great honor (of which you should be proud), it is the intrinsic gains you reap from participating in it, which will be the most beneficial to you.  You should take full advantage not only of the CUSP Speaker & Dinner Series, and the opportunity to be advised and mentored by the CUSP administration, but also of the tailor-made internships and research assistantships that the Office creates and implements especially for its Scholars.