Overview
Founded in 1754, Columbia is a private, Ivy-League university in New York City. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Throughout its history, Columbia has been home to leading scholars in every discipline, and applications have nearly doubled over the last 10 years. During the most recent admissions cycle, Columbia received 42,569 undergraduate applications, yet only 2,190 received acceptance letters, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of only 4%.
With its historic urban campus featuring a mix of architectural styles, Columbia is situated in the vibrant Morningside Heights neighborhood, nestled between Riverside Park and Morningside Park in Upper Manhattan. Columbia students enjoy the best of both worlds, pursuing rigorous study on an intimate campus while also taking advantage of all that New York has to offer. With famous and influential alumni, including Barack Obama, and the highest proportion of students of color among all the Ivies, Columbia inspires the leaders and scholars of the future.
Spark Admissions’ college consulting results are 8X the national average for Ivy League admissions and 6X the national average for many top 50 colleges.
Columbia boasts exceptional academic programs in all disciplines, with particular strengths in the humanities, engineering, political science, economics, and STEM. The renowned Core Curriculum in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences continues to shape the undergraduate experience at Columbia, giving all students a challenging and intellectually stimulating foundation in the liberal arts. Columbia also offers innovative programs in archaeology, architecture, medical humanities, and environmental biology. Columbia invests nearly $1 billion annually in research, and hundreds of undergraduates participate in various research initiatives and projects.
The Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) is home to cutting-edge research, featuring an innovative curriculum that includes rigorous liberal arts-based “technical education” requirements to prepare students to become well-rounded leaders in STEM. Columbia also shares its course catalog with Barnard College, giving students at both institutions the opportunity to take each other’s courses. With an intellectually driven and highly diverse student body, and a longstanding commitment to academic excellence, Columbia cultivates a rich and challenging learning environment in the heart of America’s largest city, empowering students to become future changemakers in many different fields.
Columbia University Class Profile
Living in New York City as a college student is an exhilarating and transformative experience unlike any other. From the moment you step onto the bustling streets of Manhattan, you’re immersed in a whirlwind of energy, diversity, and endless possibilities. The city becomes your campus, with iconic landmarks, cultural institutions, and vibrant neighborhoods serving as both backdrop and playground for exploration. Whether it’s attending world-class performances on Broadway, sampling cuisines from around the globe, or simply strolling down the nearby Riverside Park, every day presents new opportunities to Columbia students for adventure and discovery. Yet amidst the hustle and bustle, there’s also a sense of community and camaraderie among fellow students, as you navigate the challenges and triumphs of college life together. Living in NYC as a college student is a constant balancing act of academics, internships, social activities, and personal growth, but it’s also a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and endless inspiration.
With a large but intimate campus community, Columbia offers the best of New York City while also providing students with the opportunity to experience more of a campus feel than many other big-city universities. Campus life at Columbia is an unparalleled experience brimming with energy, diversity, and endless opportunities for personal and intellectual growth in a unique Ivy League setting in the nation’s largest city. Situated in the heart of Morningside Heights in Upper Manhattan, Columbia’s urban campus offers students access to a rich variety of cultural opportunities, with a location close to Central Park and within easy distance by subway from the major museums of Midtown Manhattan. From exploring world-class theaters to attending visiting lectures from leaders in all fields, students at Columbia are immersed in a dynamic and cosmopolitan environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and community. Beyond the bustling streets of Manhattan, Columbia’s extensive network of student organizations, clubs, and extracurricular activities provides countless avenues for students to connect with peers who share their passions and interests. Whether students are engaging in spirited debates at student-run forums, or simply lounging on Columbia’s beautiful quadrangles, campus life at Columbia is an exhilarating journey of exploration, discovery, and lifelong friendships.
First-year undergraduates at Columbia are required to live on campus, with a variety of conveniently located residence halls to choose from. Campus housing is guaranteed for all four years, and about 90% of students live on campus.
This estimate takes into account tuition and fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, and personal expenses for the 2023-2024 academic year.
As you embark on the exciting journey of applying to college, navigating the competitive admissions process can seem daunting. That’s where Spark Admissions comes in. Our team of expert college admissions consultants specializes in helping students like you stand out amid the growing number of applicants vying for a spot at Columbia every year. With our personalized college counseling guidance and insider expertise, we’ll work closely with you to craft a compelling application that showcases your unique strengths, passions, and potential contributions to the Columbia community. From strategizing your high school courses and extracurricular involvement to perfecting your college essay, we are here to provide the dedicated support you need to maximize your chances of admission success. Connect with us to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with one of our expert college admissions counselors to find out how we can help you achieve all of your college aspirations!
