Columbia University entry requirements?

Hello! I'm a current junior and have been researching colleges, and I really want to apply to Columbia University. Can someone give me an overview of their entry requirements in terms of academics and extracurriculars? Thanks a bunch!

Hello! Columbia University is a highly selective Ivy League institution, so it's important to have strong academics and extracurriculars to be a competitive applicant. Here's a breakdown of what they'll be looking for in your application:

Academics:

1. Rigorous coursework: Columbia looks for students who've taken challenging courses throughout high school, including AP, IB, or honors-level classes.

2. High GPA: Competitive applicants usually have a high GPA, typically above 4.0 on a weighted scale.

3. Standardized test scores (optional): As of October 2022, Columbia has adopted a test-optional policy for the SAT and ACT. However, at a school as selective as Columbia, you generally want to demonstrate your strengths in as many ways as possible, which means aiming for a score within the middle 50% for accepted Columbia students: 1510-1560 on the SAT, or 34-35 on the ACT. For more guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/.

Extracurriculars:

1. Depth and leadership: Columbia seeks students who've shown significant involvement, commitment, and leadership in a few extracurricular activities, rather than just participating in a long list of clubs and activities.

2. "Spike" or specialty: Top colleges, like Columbia, prefer applicants who demonstrate a high level of dedication and achievement in a particular field or passion, as it suggests future success in that area and also helps set them apart from even other qualified applicants.

3. Community involvement: Admissions officers appreciate applicants who have contributed positively to their communities through service, volunteer work, or other meaningful pursuits.

Additionally, Columbia's application requires the following:

1. The Common Application or Coalition Application

2. Columbia-specific supplemental essays - you can read detailed breakdowns of each of Columbia's school-specific supplemental essay prompts on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-columbia-university-essays/.

3. High school transcript

4. School report (completed by guidance counselor)

5. Letters of recommendation (from two teachers and one counselor)

6. Mid-year report (submitted by your counselor)

While meeting these requirements can make your application competitive, Columbia University practices holistic admissions, which means they not only consider numbers and achievements but also evaluate your personal qualities, such as intellectual curiosity, ability to deal with challenges, and commitment to positively impact the world. So, no single factor will get you in on its own. Rather, focus on painting as clear a picture possible of all of your strengths.

Good luck with your college application process!