FAQs
Application Status and Admission Decisions
What happens to my application or supplemental material after it is submitted?
As soon as your submitted online application is
received it goes through a process to prepare for the admissions
review. Due to the amount of applications and mail this process can
take several weeks. It is normal that we do not communicate with you
during this process.
You can expect an email notice informing you of your status after the deadline date. At this time we begin to deliver complete applications to the appropriate departments for review on regularly scheduled dates. You will receive an email to inform you when your application was sent for review. If we still require some document(s) to complete your application you will receive an incomplete application notice after the deadline. Once your application becomes complete it will be delivered for review.
If you sent your application or any supplemental material late or after the deadline be advised that Columbia reserves the right to evaluate an application and render a final decision even if all pieces of the application have not been received.
The process is different for Computer Science and Electrical Engineering applicants. Applicants may login to their online application to upload material and check their status. The faculty admissions committee will review the application when it is complete online after the deadline at a time available to them.
How can I check the status of my application?
You can expect an email notice informing you of your status after the deadline date, not before. At this time we begin to deliver complete
applications to the appropriate departments for review on regularly
scheduled dates. You will receive an email to inform you when your
application was sent for review. If we still require some document(s)
to complete your application you will receive an incomplete application
notice after the deadline. Once your application becomes complete it
will be delivered for review.
If you sent your application or any supplemental material late or after the deadline you can expect to receive the same notice mentioned above. However, be advised that after the deadline Columbia reserves the right to evaluate an application and render a final decision even if all pieces of the application have not been received.
Contacting our office for your status interrupts and can delay the processing of applications and supplemental material received for review. If it is necessary to inquire about your status email or call 212-854-6456.
The process is different for Computer Science and Electrical Engineering applicants. Applicants may login to your online application to upload material and check your status. The faculty admissions committee will review your application when it is complete online after the deadline at the appropriate time available to them.
When will I receive a decision on my application?
A decision can be expected to be made within four to six weeks from the time the
application came under review. Be advised, the decision could take more
or less time depending on a variety of factors, including the selection
of students for funding.
How will I be notified of the decision on my application?
You may be informed by the department to which you applied by email or
phone call. However, this type of notice is usually done prior to
verification of your transcripts and test scores. It is not a guarantee
of admission until the verification is completed by the Graduate
Student Services Office (GSS). The official notice of an accept offer
will be communicated to you by GSS in a formal letter.
Be sure you have provided a current and valid mailing address as this will be used in all our mailings to you.
If I have been denied admission, may I receive reasons for this decision? Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applicants the admission reviewers cannot provide feedback regarding individual applicants or the reason for unsuccessful applications.
An unsuccessful application can not be reactivated, but you may reapply to the program by submitting a new online application. It will be necessary to resend official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Student Services.
If I am admitted, but cannot attend for some reason can I defer my admission?
No, the School does not offer deferrals of admission. To be considered
for one of the following two terms from the original application term
you may reactivate your application. The reactivation application can
be found online. The application fee will be waived and you can use previous application material.
If I am denied admission can I apply again in the future and how?
Yes, you may apply again by submitting a new application and
supplemental material. Previously denied or incomplete applications
cannot use the reactivation process.
If I am admitted, can I transfer to another program in SEAS?
You can not transfer into another academic program prior to
enrollment. You have the option of enrolling in the academic program to
which you were admitted, then, you may apply to a different program
after your first semester by submitting the Application for Current Graduate Students. If you do not wish to enroll in the program for which you were admitted you should decline the offer of admission and apply again to your new program of choice using the reactivation application online.