Admission Advice
Avoid Common Mistakes
The Office of Graduate Student Services at The Fu Foundation School of Engineering And Applied Science (SEAS) 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.
- 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 1, for the fall term only. Students in the Financial Engineering Program begin in July. - Know and Adhere to Application Requirements
Read about applying and if you have questions or need clarification email, . 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.
- 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 or CV. Furthermore, please enter your official GRE Test Scores and, if required, TOEFL Test Scores onto your application. For best results you should also upload a copy of your ETS Test Score report. If you have not taken the test you can submit the application first and send scores later. If you know your test scores it is best to report them immediately along with sending them through ETS. After you submit your application you may send a fax copy of your score report to 212-854-5900. Recommendation letters can still be received after you submit your online application via the online application system. - 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 Services. 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. - Do not Apply to More Than One Program
It is against school policy to apply to more than one program or department per term at SEAS. Multiple application submissions will result in one or all applications being discarded. Please contact the Office of Graduate Student Services at if you need clarification.
- Do not Submit Extraneous Materials
Extra documentation such as; merit certificates, financial documents, CDs, portfolios, photos, and or videos will not be considered in the admission review. Sending extra documents causes delays because staff must take time to sort out and discard it. 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.
- Find Answers Online
During peak application periods the Office of Graduate Student Services 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: .