Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Columbia?
Applying to Columbia
For admission to Columbia University it is necessary to contact the admissions office of the school, division, department, or program that you would like to attend. Please visit the Admissions page, then make a selection and follow the specific instructions for program information and application requests. Please note that some admissions offices do not accept requests via email.
Tracking your application
If you have already applied to a participating school or program, you can visit the Admissions Online page to check the status of your admission or financial-aid application.
Where is Columbia University located?
Columbia University is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The Morningside Heights campus houses three undergraduate schools—Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of General Studies—as well as graduate and professional schools for arts and sciences, architecture, the arts, business, international affairs, journalism, law and social work. The School of Continuing Education is also on the Morningside Heights campus.
Columbia University Medical Center, located at 168th Street and Broadway in the Washington Heights neighborhood, encompasses the graduate schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing and public health, as well as the hospital.
What address should I use for my GPS?
535 West 116th Street New York, New York 10027
How do I arrange a visit to Columbia?
See Visiting Columbia.
Do I need a visitors pass to enter the library and buildings on campus?
A current Columbia I.D. is required to enter all buildings except Low Library unless accompanied by a University tour guide. For more information on visiting the libraries on campus call 212-8547309.
Are there guided tours on weekends?
The Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On weekends, groups of fewer than ten people are free to tour the Morningside campus on their own using the self-guided tour; however, a current Columbia I.D. is required to enter all buildings except Low Library. You are welcome to explore any of the outdoor green space on campus. A virtual tour and podcast are available online.
Where do tours meet?
The tour, which will take at least one hour, meets on the steps of Low Memorial Library. Low, a large domed building located in the middle of the campus, can be accessed from our main gates at 116th Street and Broadway. A member of your group should come to the Visitors Center, room 213 of Low Library to let us know when you arrive.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Lunch is not included in the tour. There are five indoor public eating spaces on campus located in Lerner Hall, Uris, Dodge Hall, Engineering and Brad’s café. Reservations are not required, seating is limited. Visitors may purchase or bring lunch. To arrange a pre-set lunch for your group please contact Adebayo Otiti at [email protected]. Please note that all the expenses incurred during your visit will be borne by your group leaders. For additional suggestions, visit the Student Affairs website.
Is luggage storage available?
Luggage storage is not available.
Are there additional activities my group can schedule?
Right here on campus the Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Columbia University Athletics offers an exciting live sports experience for Football, Men and Women’s Basketball for your group. Meet Roar-ee the Lion, participate in special promotions, and more. Contact Daniel Spiegel at 212-854-8327 or email [email protected] for information.
What teaching tools are available before or after my visit?
Use Columbia News for your current events lesson.
Columbia University and Teachers College initiative titled MAAP.com, short for Mapping the African-American Past. Utilizing software from Google Maps, this interactive Web site chronicles New York’s black history such as the African Burial Ground and Abyssinian Baptist Church, each accompanied by a teacher’s lesson plan adjusted to grade level. MAAP is the third black-history Web site launched by Columbia that can be used year round.
Amistad Digital Resource was created by the director of Columbia’s Center for Contemporary Black History and unveiled in early February 2008. Similar to MAAP, ADR is a multimedia Web tool developed for teachers, covering African-American history in general.
Columbia’s Black History website was launched to spotlight the many black-themed initiatives and research projects sponsored and developed by the University, including the Harlem History Project and the Harlem Hospital WPA Mural resurrection.
What hotels are close to the University?
The University has negotiated deals with several local hotels. Visit the Travel Portal for more information, and visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for other accommodation ideas.
Are there New York City landmarks close by?
See Exploring New York City for more information.