Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate Admissions

We’ve gathered answers to the most common questions applicants ask about the graduate admissions process. If you have a question, look here first.

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If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for below, feel free to contact Graduate Admissions and we’ll be happy to help.

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Academic Programs


Admitted Students


  • How do I submit my official transcripts?

    Admitted students who plan to enroll must submit official transcripts to Columbia Engineering. Certified and secure online official transcripts must be submitted directly to Columbia from your prior academic institution(s)’ Registrar's Office to [email protected]. Among these must be a transcript indicating the conferral of a Bachelor’s degree. The policy for submitting official transcripts is as follows:

    1. All students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit electronic transcripts directly from their school to [email protected].

      If a school does not offer electronic delivery, applicants must write to [email protected] to provide us with the link to their institution's web page concerning transcript orders. Applicants may also be asked to provide additional documentation to confirm the school cannot send transcripts electronically. After verifying that your institution does not provide an electronic option, we will then authorize a hardcopy submission mailed directly to us by the Registrar of your university in a sealed envelope.
    2. All students attending Chinese institutions will be required to contact CHESICC to arrange submission of a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Student's Academic Transcript” AND a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate” or "Online Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate" (for those earning a degree in China) to Columbia at [email protected].

      If the university cannot send transcripts electronically via a secure, password-protected system, applicants must order a Course-by-Course Evaluation and International Credential Advantage Package to be sent electronically to [email protected] from World Education Services (WES).
    3. All other students who have attended an international university must submit an electronic transcript (if their school offers secure online delivery) to [email protected].
       
  • Can I submit my official transcript in person?

    No. We will not accept hand-delivered transcripts to our office, nor will we accept transcripts mailed by the student.

  • Will my transcripts be verified?

    Yes, all information submitted during the application process will be verified prior to enrollment. All students must provide written consent to participate in a verification process of all academic, professional, and reference information provided during their application process. All students must sign and date an authorization and release form to conduct the verification process. The link to do so will be provided once you have formally accepted our offer of admission.

  • What is the Verification Process?

    Following admission to a Columbia Engineering graduate program, all students will participate in the Verification Process. During this process, all materials submitted by the student will be reviewed for authenticity. All students must provide written consent to participate in a verification process of all academic, professional, and reference information provided during their application process.  All students must sign and date an authorization and release form to conduct the verification process. The link to do so will be provided once you have formally accepted our offer of admission.  

  • If I am admitted, can I transfer to another program at SEAS?

    No, you cannot transfer into another program prior to the first semester. You have the option of enrolling in the program you were admitted to and applying by reactivation to the new program for the following semester. If you do not want to enroll in the program you were admitted to, you can decline the offer. Then, you can apply by reactivation to the new program for the following semester. 

    Reactivation allows you to use your prior application again to apply for one of the two semesters following the original semester of admission. If you do not reactivate within a year and want to apply again you will need to submit a new application altogether.

  • What is the tuition deposit?

    Applicants who have been accepted for admission will be required to submit a tuition deposit payment to hold their place in the new incoming class. The tuition deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Therefore, if an admitted applicant pays the deposit, but fails to enroll for the particular program and term of the admission offer, the deposit will not be returned. 

    After the end of the add/drop registration period tuition deposits paid will be credited to the enrolled student's account. More information will be provided upon admission in the admission notification and follow-up messages. 

  • Are newly admitted students required to pay a tuition deposit to accept the offer of admission?

    Yes, all newly admitted MS students are asked to submit a tuition deposit to accept the offer of admission and secure their place in the class. The tuition deposit allows academic departments to more accurately determine the expected incoming class size and plan accordingly.

  • How much is the tuition deposit required to accept the offer of admission?

    The tuition deposit amount will be at least $4,000.00 and depends on the program of admission. The tuition deposit amount can be found on your admission letter.

  • Is the tuition deposit refundable?

    No. If you pay the tuition deposit and ultimately do not enroll for the term you were admitted it will not be refunded. However, if you do enroll as expected the full deposit will be credited toward your student account after registration. There are no exceptions to this long-standing and standard university practice.

  • When will I see my tuition deposit reflected in my account? 

    Your tuition deposit will appear in your student account after the add/drop period in your first semester. It will not be reflected prior to this.

  • I was admitted but did not enroll for the term of admission. Can I defer my admission to a future term?

    There is no option to defer admission offers. However, candidates who have applied and were admitted to a Columbia Engineering graduate program, but did not attend, may reactivate their applications for one of the two terms following their original application. Candidates who do not request reactivation within the year are required to submit a new application. 

    Please be aware that candidates who reactivate their applications are essentially reapplying for admission. Applicants who were not previously admitted cannot use the reactivation application process to apply again.

  • I am a current Columbia Engineering graduate student and would like to switch to another program in a different department or to a doctoral program. What should I do?

    Current Columbia Engineering graduate students who would like to be considered for a new degree program may reactivate their prior application. To begin this process, please submit the Columbia Engineering Reactivation Form. You will be prompted to log in with your original application account credentials. If applying after one year of enrollment in a graduate engineering program, then students should submit a new application for admission.Current Columbia Engineering graduate students must upload a copy of their academic record into the online application even if it is their first semester at Columbia and no grades have yet been reported. Not doing so can cause a delay in the review of the application for admission. However, students need not request an official transcript be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Application Process


Financial Aid


  • What types of financial aid am I eligible for?

    For information about different types of funding options visit the website of the Student Financial Services. All prospective students should seek funding from external sources, such as scholarships offered by philanthropic or government organizations. Eligibility requirements will vary depending on the sponsor.

    In addition, separate applications will be required by each sponsor. To find a list of external funding opportunities, visit the graduate funding page. There are many other search sites available on the Internet. We also suggest you consult with faculty, administrators, or mentors at your current or prior undergraduate school as they may also have knowledge of sources of funding.

  • What types of financial aid are available from the School?

    All prospective students may apply for department funding with their application for admission. There is no separate application for financial aid awarded by the department. This aid includes TA/RA Assistantships and other funding support. 

    To apply, submit a complete application for admission within a few weeks of the priority deadline for best results. Be advised, this type of funding is generally only available to doctoral admits. You will be notified directly by the department along with or shortly after your admission decision if you are awarded any departmental aid. Both international and domestic applicants are eligible for departmental aid.

  • How do I apply for financial aid?

    There is no separate application for funding awarded by the department. The application for admission is also used for financial aid consideration from the department. This type of aid is awarded by the department to which you apply based on merit and the amount of funding available. It is not guaranteed with admission. Typically, this form of aid is not available to students pursuing Master of Science degrees. Both international and domestic applicants are eligible for department aid.

  • How will I be informed if I have received any department funding/aid?

    You will be notified directly by the department at the same time or shortly after your admission decision is made. Initially, you may be notified over e-mail contact by a faculty member or administrator. If you have not been awarded aid you will receive no communication regarding funding from the department.

  • Are students required to pay taxes on fellowship funds they receive?

    Fellowship funds may or may not be taxable, depending on how they are spent. Normally, funds used to pay tuition and fees are not taxable, but funds used to pay living expenses are. Students should consult with a tax professional or check publication 970 from the IRS website for more information.

    If you have additional questions about funding you may email our office at: [email protected].

Standardized Test Scores


Transcripts


  • May I upload, to my online application, a student copy of my transcript from my college or university website?

    The transcript copy you upload onto your online application must be an official copy, which is typically obtained from your college or university Registrar's office or the office that issues official transcripts to students, or a student copy. Do not upload screenshots of your student portal.

    If you are a currently enrolled graduate student at Columbia Engineering applying again to another department or degree level you must upload a copy of your transcript to your online application. This is required even if you are a student at Columbia Engineering already and whether or not it is your first semester and grades are available.

  • I uploaded copies of official transcripts to my online application. Do I still need to submit official transcripts from each college or university by postal mail?

    All applicants must upload copies of official transcripts to the online application system for review purposes. The Office of Graduate Admissions will require all official transcripts at the point of admission.

  • I only have an “in progress” transcript for my current program. Do I need to submit this transcript?

    Yes, transcripts must be submitted for all institutions attended.

  • I am a currently enrolled Columbia Engineering student applying again. Do I need to submit my Columbia transcript?

    Yes, you are required to upload a copy of your Columbia transcript onto your online application. Do this even if your grades are pending and this is your first semester. However, you will not be required to mail or deliver an official copy of your transcript if you are subsequently admitted into the program.

  • I have been accepted and now I plan to mail in my official transcript, but it is still in progress until a later time. Can I wait until the final official transcript is available before mailing it?

    Official transcripts must be received shortly after the start of the semester.

    If you are an international student and your transcripts are not in English, you also need to mail an official notarized translation and separate degree certificates indicating the conferral of your degree. Although uploaded or other copies of transcripts may be used for review purposes, enrollment is contingent upon receiving all official transcript/s, translations (if required), and degree certificates (international students). If we do not receive these documents in a timely manner it may cause admission delays.

  • How do I submit my official transcripts?

    Admitted students who plan to enroll must submit official transcripts to Columbia Engineering. Certified and secure online official transcripts must be submitted directly to Columbia from your prior academic institution(s)’ Registrar's Office to [email protected]. Among these must be a transcript indicating the conferral of a Bachelor’s degree. The policy for submitting official transcripts is as follows:

    1. All students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit electronic transcripts directly from their school to [email protected].

      If a school does not offer electronic delivery, applicants must write to [email protected] to provide us with the link to their institution's web page concerning transcript orders. Applicants may also be asked to provide additional documentation to confirm the school cannot send transcripts electronically. After verifying that your institution does not provide an electronic option, we will then authorize a hardcopy submission mailed directly to us by the Registrar of your university in a sealed envelope.
    2. All students attending Chinese institutions will be required to contact CHESICC to arrange submission of a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Student's Academic Transcript” AND a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate” or "Online Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate" (for those earning a degree in China) to Columbia at [email protected].
    3. All other students who have attended an international university must submit an electronic transcript (if their school offers secure online delivery) to [email protected].

    If the university cannot send transcripts electronically via a secure, password-protected system, applicants must order a Course-by-Course Evaluation and International Credential Advantage Package to be sent electronically to [email protected] from World Education Services (WES).

  • Can I submit my official transcript in person?

    No. We will not accept hand-delivered transcripts to our office, nor will we accept transcripts mailed by the student.

  • Will my transcripts be verified?

    Yes, all information submitted during the application process will be verified prior to enrollment. All students must provide written consent to participate in a verification process of all academic, professional, and reference information provided during their application process. All students must sign and date an authorization and release form to conduct the verification process. The link to do so will be provided once you have formally accepted our offer of admission.

  • My transcripts are not in English. What should I do?

    If your official transcripts are not originally in English and the college/university you attended does not provide a translation of your official transcript into English, you must include a notarized translation to English for each of your non-English transcripts along with proof of graduation. 

    The translation must include complete contact information for the service provider. You may find and select a translation service of your choice. The official or original language transcript must be sent in addition to the translated version.

  • I am an international student. My course grades are based on a different grading scale than the typical U.S. grading system. How can I determine my GPA?

    Many translation or evaluation services can convert your grades to the U.S. scale. We recommend you use a NACES-accredited evaluator to accurately determine what your GPA would be on a U.S. grading scale.

    The table below is the standard A-F grading scale used at most schools within Columbia University:

    GradeGPA ValueGeneral Description
    A+4.33 
    A4.00Excellent
    A-3.67 
    B+3.33 
    B3.00Good
    B-2.67 
    C+2.33 
    C2.00Satisfactory
    C-1.67 
    D+1.33 
    D1.00Poor
    D-.67 
    F0.00Fail

    Pass grades have no GPA value.

  • What do you mean by an official transcript?

    Official transcripts are a record of your grades or results of academic study and are valid when issued by the school you attended. We require that you upload copies of your official transcripts to your online application. Final transcripts state that a degree has been conferred and provide the date of conferral and type of degree. If your school does not indicate this on transcripts, a separate official degree statement will also be required.