Admissions Advice

Avoid Common Mistakes

The Office of Graduate Student Affairs at The Fu Foundation School of Engineering And Applied Science receives thousands of graduate program applications every year for admission to the fall and spring terms. Each year some applications are delayed for evaluation or are determined to be incomplete for admission due to common mistakes. If you are planning to apply, read on for an explanation of the top reasons applicants experience problems with the application process and how to avoid them.

1. Apply and Submit Supporting Material by the Deadline
   The application deadline applies to the online application and supporting documents. Applicants are admitted twice yearly for the fall and spring semesters. Applicants to the Financial Engineering Program must apply by December 15, for the fall term only (summer start).
   
2. Know and Adhere to Application Requirements
   Read about applying and if you have questions or need clarification email, seasgradmit@columbia.edu. Follow instructions and respond to all questions on the online application. Do not assume any application document requirement will be excused or waived without approval or confirmation.

3. Upload Documents to the Online Application
   The following must be uploaded to your online application: Official Copies of Transcripts, Recommendation Letters, Personal Statement, and Resume. Furthermore, please enter your official GRE Test Scores and, if required, TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores onto your application. If you have not taken the test you can submit the application first and send scores later. When you know your test scores report them immediately along with sending them from ETS or IELTS. After you submit your application you may contact our office to report your scores at seasgradmit@columbia.edu. Recommendation letters can still be received after you submit your online application via the online application system.
4. Alert us to Name Changes on Your Application and Admission Documents
   You must enter your legal name and date of birth on your application for admission. Provide the same name and date of birth on any documents that are mailed to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs. If your name differs in any way on your official documents from what you indicated on the application this can cause a delay or a rescinding of an admission offer. Be sure to enter alternative name(s) on the application for admission in the space provided. In addition, please mail proof of name changes, such as a copy of a marriage certificate.
5. Do not Apply to More Than One Graduate Engineering Program
   It is against school policy to apply to more than one engineering graduate program or department per term, including CVN programs. Multiple engineering application submissions will result in one or all applications being discarded. Please contact the Office of Graduate Student Affairs at seasgradmit@columbia.edu if you need clarification.

   Applicants are allowed to apply to an engineering graduate program and another non-engineering program at other schools within Columbia University at the same time.

6. Do not Submit Extraneous Materials
   Extra documentation such as; merit certificates, financial documents, CDs, portfolios, photos, and or copies of your submitted online application will not be considered in the admission review. Sending extra documents causes delays because staff must take time to sort it out. If you are an international student you may need to send financial documentation for the purpose of obtaining a Visa. If that is the case, after you receive a formal admission offer letter in the mail you should send financial documents to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

   All materials submitted in support of an applicant, whether official or unofficial, become the property of Columbia University and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to other schools or agencies. We suggest that you keep copies of any documents you may need for your personal use.

7. Find Answers Online
   During peak application periods the Office of Graduate Student Affairs receives hundreds of email inquiries. Many of the questions are already answered on the Web site. For best results please check the website before emailing the office. If you still need assistance we will be glad to help you, please send email to: seasgradmit@columbia.edu.

8. Send Official Transcript/s by Postal Mail
   In addition to uploading copies of your transcript/s to your online application, you are required to mail an official transcript sealed from each college or university you attended to the Office of Graduate Student Affairs by the deadline to apply.  If you are an international student you may also need to mail an official translation and separate degree certificates.  Please read about applying for the list of required materials. Although copies of transcripts may be used for review purposes and recommendations for admission, an actual admission offer will not be made until we receive and review your official transcript/s, translations (if required), and degree certificates (international students).  If we do not receive these documents in a timely manner it can cause an application to be labeled incomplete and removed from admission consideration.