Columbia University, a private Ivy League research university, is located in New York City. It is the oldest college in New York and the fifth oldest in the country, making it one of the most prominent universities in the world. Columbia was founded in 1754 on Trinity Church’s Manhattan campus under the name King’s College.
In addition to encouraging teaching and research on global themes, Columbia University aims to build academic and professional ties with several other nations and cultivate a diverse and international student body and faculty.
International students want to attend Columbia for a variety of reasons, from its placements to its alumni connection
You’re in the proper place if you’re one of those students! Learn about the Columbia University admission process, how to apply, Statement of purpose and the deadlines for the columbia university by reading this blog!
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How Hard is it to get into Columbia University?
You must be an active achiever if you wish to enrol at Columbia. Here are some guidelines on the criteria for overseas students at Columbia University:
- Achieve a good score on your admissions test. Whether you are aiming for SAT/ACT or GMAT/ GRE.
- Take part in extracurricular activities that showcase your abilities and qualities. American universities look for holistic profile and in order to do that you must create a holistic profile.
- Perform well in every class you take in high school.
Getting into columbia is tough with acceptance rate hovering around 5 to 6 % one must always be on their toes starting form their high school grades to the extracuricullars.
In order to get into the Columbia University, it is important to understand the admission process, thats why we are going to understand the following things:
1. Columbia University’s acceptance rate
2. How can one get into Columbia University?
3. Admission deadline for Columbia University.
4. Application requirements and how to craft a compelling application.
5. Test requirements
6. And the documents you must keep handy for your application.
Columbia University Acceptance Rate for International Students
Admission to Columbia University is highly competitive due to its rigorous criteria. For the class of 2024, Columbia University’s acceptance rate was a dismal 6.15%. The admission rate for the class of 2023 was low as well, at 5.14%, which means only 5 out of 100 people were admitted.
In the 2024 QS World University Ranking, Columbia University stood in at number 34. Indicating that getting into Columbia is a task, your grades are really important if you want to get into Columbia. Getting accepted to Columbia will require a lot of effort. The admissions requirements for international students at Columbia University are strict and demanding.
How to get into Columbia University as an international student?
International students should find solace in knowing that, despite their perceptions, the admissions procedure at foreign universities is the same for all students worldwide. The steps you must take as part of the Columbia University admissions application process are as follows:
- Focus on acing the SAT/ACT.
To be considered for admission, international applicants to Columbia University must submit their SAT/ACT scores. Columbia states that the minimal SAT scores are 1440–1570, and the ACT scores are 34–35.
- Ace the GRE/GMAT
International applicants must get a high GRE/GMAT score in order to be considered for Columbia University’s postgraduate programs, including the MBA program. A GMAT score might vary from 700 to 760.
GRE/GMAT is one of the most crucial exams when it comes to getting into a postgraduate program. Learn how you can prepare for it here!
- English Proficiency Tests.
To prove to Columbia University that you are fluent in both written and spoken English, you will need to take an English proficiency test if you are not a native English speaker, such as someone from India.
IELTS and TOEFL iBT scores that are recognised by universities are 7.0 and 100, respectively.
- Fulfil the application process.
You can submit your application to the university using the Common Application portal. You should upload your high school transcripts, recommendation letters, SAT/ACT scores, English proficiency test results, a statement of purpose, and any other materials that have been requested. You will be expected to write a common application essay and essays specifically asked for by Columbia University.
Read: Common App Essay Prompts for 2025 Admission Cycle
- Interview
The columbia’s admissions committee might ask for an interview, you would need to prepare for it by going through everything you have mentioned in your college application. At Rostrum we have helped plenty students to crack their dream college interview.
- Pay The Application Fee and Wait To Receive The Acceptance Letter
After paying the application fee, wait for your acceptance letter to arrive. Depending on the program, Columbia University’s application costs vary from USD 85 to $250 (INR 7,080 to 20,750).
- Start your term
After passing the interview and being accepted into the course of your choice, you only need to pay the tuition and start your journey!
Unlock the Path to Columbia in 2025 – Book Your Free Strategy Session Today!
Columbia University Application Deadlines 2025
Applications for the upcoming calendar year will be available in late Summer. Before applying, please carefully read the information about each degree program as each has its own prerequisites and application dates. International students who wish to apply to Columbia’s programs do not have a separate application deadline.
There are also type of deadlines, the Regular deadline, Early Decision and Early action deadline learn more about them here!. Here’s a brief explanation about these deadlines.
Types of Deadlines
- Early Action: A decision about enrollment will be made sooner for applicants who apply before an Early Action deadline than for those who apply after it. Any grant notices will be sent to them along with the other submissions for Fellowship Consideration. An application for Early Action is not legally binding.
- Fellowship consideration: You must apply before the deadline (and make sure all of your materials are completed as well) and indicate in your application that you would like to be considered for financing in order to be considered for funding.
- Final: The final date by which applications are accepted.
- Special Deadline Extension: This is for those students who are impacted by federal layoffs, and the deadline is April 15, 2025.
You must visit the official website of the Colombia university to stay up to date!
Learn more about Early Action and Early Decision here!
Columbia University Admission Requirements for International Students
Columbia University takes into account more than just your academic performance and exam scores. Columbia undoubtedly looks for applicants with extraordinary intellectual promise. However, they also seek out students who genuinely want to make a difference in the world and who have a strong moral code.
Here’s what Columbia University looks for in applicants:
- Your high school coursework and grades
- Your extracurricular activities.
- How will your presence benefit the Columbia community, and overall, what addition will you bring to the campus?
- Your letter of recommendation and personal statement.
Want to learn more about the college admissions essay? Read this article addressing just that!
Columbia University Requirements for Tests
A weighted GPA of 4.1 to 4.5 is required for admission to Columbia. You must excel in difficult classes like honors and AP courses in addition to having a good GPA. The results of the several standardised tests you must take in order to be admitted to a course will be examined by Columbia University in addition to your high school transcripts.
Test | Score |
Weighted GPA | 4.1 – 4.5 |
ACT | 33 – 35 |
SAT | 1490 – 1580 |
GRE | 310 |
GMAT | 717 |
TOEFL | 105 |
IELTS | 7.5 |
Statement of purpose
Beyond test results and transcripts, a compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your chance to introduce yourself to Columbia University. It should highlight your academic interests, professional goals, and the reason Columbia is the best place for you to achieve them.
You must keep the following things in mind while writing your SOP.
1. Academic Journey: You must try to mention your academic journey, give a brief overview of your educational background, and the topics that have influenced you. Emphasize any projects, research, or extracurricular activities that relate to the subject you plan to study.
- Career Objectives: Describe your professional aspirations and how a Columbia degree will help you attain them. Be descriptive and identify Columbia’s faculty, programs, or activities that you find exciting. You can also quote previous alumni and point out their career trajectory.
- Why Columbia? Show that you genuinely care about Columbia University. Mention distinctive features of its academic environment, campus culture, or curriculum that you find appealing, such as the Core Curriculum for undergraduates.
Read: Learn how to write SOP.
Want to make your application appealing? Contact us for a free session where we guide you through it!
Documents Required for Columbia University as an International Student
To be admitted, international applicants to Columbia University must fulfil the prerequisites and provide any further documentation. You may make the entire application process easier by organising your paperwork in advance.
Applications for admission to any program at Columbia University must be submitted with the following list of documents:
- Proof of high school educational credentials.
- ACT/SAT scores: In order to get into the undergraduate program, you must have a valid ACT or SAT score. Learn more about the SAT and ACT here!
- GRE/GMAT scores: Depending on the course you are applying to, for example, in order to get admission into Columbia’s Graduate Engineering program, you must have a GRE score.
- Results of English proficiency tests like the TOEFL/IELTS. Learn how to prepare for the IELTS Writing, Speaking, and Listening sections.
FAQ on How to Get into Columbia University
Q. Is It Hard to get into Columbia University for international students?
- overseas candidates often have somewhat lower acceptance rates than domestic applicants, even though Columbia does not release a distinct acceptance rate for overseas students. This is frequently because there are fewer slots available and there is more competition from overseas applicants.
Additionally, a need-aware policy takes into account overseas students who apply for financial aid. This implies that their chances of being admitted may be impacted if their financial need is taken into consideration during the admissions process.
Q. How to get into Columbia University as an UAE student.
- Strong academic credentials (top IB, A-Level, or local curriculum grades), competitive SAT/ACT scores (optional but advised), and English language competency (TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.5+) are prerequisites for UAE students to apply to Columbia. Great recommendation letters, engaging essays, and noteworthy extracurricular activities are all components of a great application. Columbia provides Regular Decision (January 1) and Early Decision (November 1). International students are given consideration when it comes to financial help.
Q. How to get into Columbia University as a Hong Kong student.
- Hong Kong students who excel academically in IB, DSE, A-Levels, or other demanding programs should apply. It’s crucial to achieve English proficiency criteria (TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.5+) and submit good SAT/ACT results, if available. Strong essays, letters of recommendation, and exceptional extracurricular activities are what Columbia looks for. Apply by Regular Decision (January 1) or Early Decision (November 1) via the Common App. International students are given consideration when it comes to financial help.
