Visiting Columbia

The Columbia University Visitors Center offers guided campus tours and group information sessions; class, group and overnight visits; and provides maps and directions to and around campus. In addition, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions sponsors "Columbia Visits Your Home Town: An Introduction to Columbia," which are events for prospective students and their families around the world.

Information Sessions & Campus Tours

Undergraduate information sessions and campus tours are offered Monday through Friday. Information sessions begin at 10 am and 2 pm and are followed by tours at 11 am and 3 pm. Reservations for information sessions and campus tours are not required for groups under 10. Please read instructions below in regards to scheduling tours for groups of more than 10. The information session and campus tour last approximately 1 hour each, and guests should arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. From September 17 through November 19, 10am information sessions and 11am tours will be offered every Saturday. Please make sure to notify us with any special needs or special assistance you might require by calling the Visitors Center at 212-854-4900.

All tours and information sessions begin in the Visitors Center in Room 213 of Low Memorial Library. The main campus gate is located at 116th Street and Broadway.

Special dates and exceptions that you should be aware of include the following:

August 13: Monthly Saturday information session and tour available.

September 5 (Labor Day): No information sessions or tours available (University closed).

September 6 - 9: Information sessions available but no campus tours.

November 7: Information sessions available but no campus tours.

November 8 (Election Day): No information sessions or tours available (University closed).

November 24 - 25 (Thanksgiving): No information sessions or tours available (University closed).

Class Visits

The array of classes available to Columbia students is vast, and applicants who wish to get a feel for the classroom experience may do so by inquiring at the Visitors Center. Classes may be visited only in the Spring and Fall terms.

Group Visits

Reservations are not required for groups of fewer than 10 people.

Groups of ten or more who would like to visit campus are encouraged to contact the Visitors Center by telephone at 212-854-4900 at least two weeks prior to their visit. Group visits are not allowed on weekends.

Overnight Visits

Spending a night on campus in an undergraduate residence hall will provide you with an opportunity to meet several Columbia students and sample the unparalleled combination of academic, collegiate and urban life at Columbia University.

If you are not staying on campus with a friend or alumnus/a of your high school, there are limited spaces available for prospective students to stay on campus. Overnight accommodations will be available in the residence halls beginning on Monday, September 19, 2005, through Thursday, December 1, 2005. Overnight visits are only available during the fall semester and are offered Monday through Thursday evenings between the above dates with the exceptions of November 7 - 10 (Fall Break) and November 21 - 24 (Thanksgiving Break). You may register online to stay overnight on campus.

Please be aware that Overnight Visits are only available to current high school seniors.

Columbia Visits Your Home Town: An Introduction to Columbia

We bring Columbia University to you! Please check our schedule to find and reserve a spot for a reception in your hometown.