Intramural and Club Sports
You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to play a sport at Columbia. There are 40+ club and intramural sports for you to try with opportunities for students at all levels.
In our intramural programs, compete against fellow Columbia students in sports including basketball, volleyball, and soccer in your choice of leagues from the intensely competitive to the more relaxed and recreational.
Club sports encompass a surprising breadth of activities from rock climbing to rugby to ballroom dancing. Some clubs compete on a regional or even national level.
Fitness
If team activities aren’t your style, consider one of these ways to release stress and add healthy movement to your schedule.
- Fitness Classes — The Department of Physical Education & Recreation offers a number of classes each semester through the Dodge Fitness Center, including indoor cycling, functional fitness, and personal training.
- The Dodge Fitness Center — As a student, you’ll have access to extensive facilities for every kind of exercise, including an indoor track, cardiovascular and strength training equipment, a gymnasium, an Olympic-sized pool, and more.
- Free Pop-Up Classes — Enjoy an easy way to move and discover something new with offerings like Barre, functional fitness, and yoga.
Available Programs
Use our Program Finder to browse current Master of Science programs offered in-person on the Columbia Engineering Campus.
Why Earn Your MS at Columbia Engineering?
Earning your graduate degree at Columbia Engineering allows you to developing focused expertise and in-depth research experience. At Columbia Engineering, one of the world’s top-ranked engineering schools, you’ll benefit from:
- Outstanding faculty with both industry and research experience who are at the forefront of developments in their fields.
- A collaborative research environment with dozens of labs and research centers tackling some of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
- Highly customizable programs that let you hone in on the precise area that excites you.
- Fast paths to graduation with an option to complete the degree in just three semesters as full-time student.
- Living and learning in New York City, a hub of culture and entrepreneurship that is an ideal environment for launching a new company or making career connections.
- Incredible career prospects, with many graduates landing jobs with leading employers like Apple, Goldman Sachs, Google, IBM, and McKinsey & Company.
Related Resources
Combined Plan Applicant FAQs
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Are there quotas for the number of Combined Plan students admitted?
No. The Combined Plan Committee on Admissions will review applications individually.
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Can I apply if I do not attend an affiliate school?
Yes. You are permitted to apply, and your materials will be reviewed by the Combined Plan Admissions Committee in a competitive review process.
Program Details
The Columbia Combined Plan program is usually completed as a 3-2 sequence: three years in a liberal arts curriculum and two years in Columbia Engineering (with students applying in the junior year). The program may also be completed as a 4-2 sequence: four years in a liberal arts curriculum and two years in Columbia Engineering (with students applying in the senior year).
As a Combined Plan student, you’ll participate in undergraduate research, student life (including groups such as Engineers Without Borders and the Engineering Student Council) and reap all the benefits of Columbia resources such as the Center for Career Education and the Center for Student Advising.
You’ll also be guaranteed housing during your first engineering year (either your fourth or fifth year of college, depending on whether you pursue the 3-2 or the 4-2 sequence). We do our best to accommodate requests to live on campus after the first year, but we’re not able to guarantee that Combined Plan students will be offered a room on campus beyond the first year. Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA) can assist students in non-Columbia-owned buildings.
Liberal Arts Affiliate Schools
The schools listed here have an affiliation agreement with the Combined Plan program and are prioritized in the admission process. If you’re interested in the Combined Plan program, you should contact your liaison as early as possible to plan your course of study and prepare for admission.
Please refer to the affiliate college's website and admissions office for more information about the institution, their undergraduate experience and their admissions requirements for first-year students prior to applying to the Combined Plan program.
How to Apply
Please note that the admissions process for the Combined Plan program is handled by Columbia Undergraduate Admissions team. Visit their Combined Plan Program page for the most up-to-date admissions information and contacts.
Go to Columbia Undergraduate Admissions
You can apply to the Combined Plan program during either your junior year (for the 3-2 program) or senior year (for the 4-2 program). High school students should not apply until you’re enrolled in an undergraduate institution, and should contact your prospective institution for more information. (If you attend an affiliated liberal arts school, your application will receive priority in admission review.)
Application Requirements
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Application
Columbia accepts the Combined Plan application for this program. The application includes:
- Autobiographical information
- Information about a student's prerequisite coursework
- Short answers regarding interest in engineering, the Combined Plan program and Columbia
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Transcripts
You must submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions that you’ve attended. Official transcripts may be emailed to [email protected] (preferred) or mailed in a signed, sealed envelope.
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Recommendation
All recommendations from the following sources should be submitted electronically through the application system:
- Combined Plan Liaison (or for candidates who attend a non-affiliate, an instructor or school official who can speak to your coursework)
- Science instructor (instructor who has awarded you a final grade in a science course)
- Math instructor (instructor who has awarded you a final grade in a math course)
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English Proficiency Requirement
One of the requirements for guaranteed admission to the Combined Plan program is proof of English language proficiency. If your native language is not English, or the language of instruction in your secondary school was not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency.
The requirement may be fulfilled by obtaining a grade of B or higher in the prerequisite equivalent to English Composition (ENGL C1010 University Writing), a foundational prerequisite course noted in the Combined Plan Curriculum Guide that was issued in the year you began at your home institution [Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022].
Alternatively, this requirement may be fulfilled with standardized testing. If you are fulfilling the English language proficiency requirement with standardized testing, submit an official score report from the testing agency to Columbia Undergraduate Admissions. If test scores have expired, the admissions office will accept a copy of the official score report, submitted by you and certified by an official from your institution, from tests taken within the last five years. Self-reported scores will not be accepted.
You must take all standardized test examinations no later than February 2023 for consideration for the fall of 2023.
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Application Fee or Fee Waiver
An $85 nonrefundable fee is required as part of an application to Columbia University. We are unable to refund the application fee under any circumstances. Review our Application Fees and Fee Waivers page for more information.
If paying the application fee is a significant financial burden for your family, we encourage you to request an automatic fee waiver through your admission application. You can determine your fee waiver eligibility today using this form. You will also be asked to confirm your eligibility within the Combined Plan Program application. Fee waivers will be automatically applied to applications of eligible candidates.
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Dates and Deadlines
- Early December Application available online.
- February 1 Deadline to submit application materials.
- March 1
Deadline to submit financial aid materials. - Late Spring
Admissions decisions are released to candidates. - August
New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is held each year for incoming Combined Plan students, and it is a mandatory orientation program.
Eligibility Requirements
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Candidates who began at any institution in Fall ’19 or later
Guaranteed admission is not available for candidates who began college, whether at an affiliate school or not, in Fall 2019 or later. All applicants who began college in Fall 2019 or later will be considered under the competitive review process. Applicants who attend an affiliate institution will be prioritized in the admissions process. This is a holistic process that evaluates a candidate’s preparation for Columbia Engineering’s curriculum, fit for the university, character and recommendations, among other factors.
We strongly recommend that candidates review the following guidelines:
- Full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university for at least the past three years
- An overall GPA in accordance with the agreement that your institution has reached with Columbia. An overall GPA of 3.30 or higher is highly recommended.
- A pre-engineering GPA of 3.30 or higher, as calculated by Columbia. Additionally, the minimum grade for each pre-engineering science or math course must be a B (3.0) or better on the first attempt.
- Three favorable recommendations: one each from your institution's Combined Plan liaison, math instructor and science instructor
- Successful completion, by the end of the spring semester in which you are applying, of the specific prerequisite courses for your intended major as listed in the Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide
- Completion (before entering Columbia) of the major and degree requirements prescribed by your home institution for graduation
- Demonstration of English language proficiency as listed above
- Confirmation of good standing at the member institution
In order to be competitive for admission, applicants should meet or exceed the recommendations outlined in the Curriculum Guide that was issued in the fall semester they began college. Students are not subject to the changes made to Curriculum Guides issued in subsequent years. For details, please review the Curriculum Guide that was issued in the year you began college [Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023].
You should confer with the liaison at your school in order to determine which classes fulfill Columbia pre-engineering foundation and major-specific courses.
Please review our Combined Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.
Additional Program Information
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Important Documents
- The Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Guide outlines the necessary courses for guaranteed admission for applicants who enrolled in college in prior to Fall 2019), and course recommendations for applicants who enrolled in college in Fall 2019 and later Please review the curriculum guide issued in the fall semester of when you began at your home institution:
- The Pre-Combined Plan Curriculum Course Descriptions document describes the content of each Columbia prerequisite course.
- The Engineering Bulletin includes specific information about Columbia Engineering academics, including courses offered in each major.
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Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to our Combined Plan students. Please see our instructions for further information, including how to apply. Deadlines and documents can be found on the Financial Aid website.
The following should also be noted:
- Columbia awards no merit scholarships; all financial aid is need-based only.
- The Combined Plan program practices need-blind admission for all domestic students; financial need does not affect one's chances of admission.
- We will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted Combined Plan students.
- The Combined Plan program practices need-aware admission for all international students applying for financial aid. Financial aid for international students is limited.
- For financial aid purposes, students are considered international applicants if they are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who do not have refugee visas or asylum status. Undocumented students, including DACA recipients, are considered as domestic applicants.
- Candidates are not guaranteed the same financial aid package they received at their affiliate schools.
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Accuracy & Authenticity
All applicants should review our Accuracy & Authenticity statement prior to submitting their application, as all applicants to Columbia University must confirm on their application that they understand and agree to adhere to the above expectations.
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Contact
For questions about undergraduate admission and the application process, please visit our online FAQs. If you still can't find your answer, please contact Columbia Undergraduate Admissions or email us at [email protected].
Undergraduate Programs
Minors
Learn about adding a minor to complement your major or branch out into another area of interest.
Combined Plan BA/BS
Earn a BA from Columbia or an affiliated institution plus a BS in engineering from Columbia Engineering in as little as five years.
First Year & Sophomore Experience
Discover an academic experience combining engineering, applied science, and humanities courses with hands-on projects and faculty-mentored research.
Junior & Senior Year Experience
Dive deeper into your area of study with exciting research, leadership and internship experiences.
Integrated BS/MS Degrees
Earn both your BS and MS degrees through this accelerated track that allows you to begin your MS program in your senior year.
Core Curriculum
Learn about the Core Curriculum that all Columbia College undergraduates complete.
Student Research Opportunities
Contribute to cutting-edge research alongside Columbia Engineering’s world-renowned faculty. Opportunities are available during the academic year and summer.
The Egleston Scholars
This comprehensive program supports and enriches the most highly accomplished students through access to select resources within Columbia Engineering, the University, New York City, and beyond.
The Undergraduate Student Experience
Find out more about what life is like as a Columbian. Learn about living in New York City, finding friends, and making our campus your home.
Columbia Engineering Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is a selective summer high school program for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. SHAPE is geared toward local students who have demonstrated an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Each 3-week session offers college-level courses in engineering, complemented by electives and workshops on topics like public speaking and applying to college.
Get Involved
Whether you're the parent of a K-12 student seeking educational opportunities for your child, a Columbia student ready to share your passion and knowledge with a younger generation, or a faculty member desiring a way to achieve a broader impact for your research, the Outreach Programs Office is here to help you find your best path forward. Choose the audience below to explore the possibilities.
Partnering with NASA to Reach Underserved Students
A faculty-led team from Columbia is designing a tiny satellite for a future NASA payload while leveraging the project to create innovative learning experiences for local middle school students.
Read the Story
Engineering the Next Generation (ENG)
For six weeks, students work with Columbia Engineering researchers and participate in programming to develop their academic and professional skills.
Learn More