Our responsibility is to admit students who will be successful in our rigorous curriculum, so first and foremost the review is grounded in an examination of the applicant's past and current academic performance. Only after a foundation of academic excellence has been demonstrated will other areas of achievement and potential for impact be considered. Based on an internal study encompassing multiple years of performance data, we found that test-optional admissions—which we provisionally introduced in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic—did not lead to a diminishment of the academic performance of our admitted classes or the academic success of our enrolled students. Thus, as we design our application and its requirementsto afford the greatest possible opportunity and flexibility for students to represent themselves fully and showcase their academic talents, interests and goals, standardized testing remains an optional component of our application.
Columbia continually reviews its data and assesses admissions policies to align with institutional priorities and goals and to uphold the university's mission of attracting a diverse and international student body—advancing knowledge and learning at the highest level. Our application requirements and review process undergo regular re-evaluation to assure that the Committee on Admissions is equipped to admit students who represent the strongest possible fit for Columbia.
For students who choose to submit testing, we welcome this information and are pleased to include standardized tests in your application review.Students who choose not to submit test scores, however, will not be at a disadvantage in our process. We will continue to evaluate all submitted information within an individualized application review process that considers the unique combination of circ*mstances shaping each applicant's journey. The rigor of a student’s curriculum, their academic achievement, and their demonstrated intellectual curiosity will remain central to our review.
Testing policies for students who choose to submit testing
- You may choose to take either the ACT or the SAT, and you may self-report your scores on your application.
- Columbia does not consider the optional writing section.
- You may take standardized tests as late as November for Early Decision and February for Regular Decision.
- If you submit results from multiple test sittings, you will be evaluated on the highest score you received in any individual section of that test (known as superscoring).
- Columbia accepts results from both paper and digital administrations, and tests will be superscored across paper and digital administrations if you have taken a single test in both formats.
International applicants and non-native speakers of English should refer to our English proficiency requirements and international applicant requirements, which remain.
Additional standardized testing
Advanced Placement (AP) and other optional standardized exam scores are not required by Columbia, but we will accept your results if you choose to submit them in the testing section of your Common Application or Coalition Application. You will not be at a disadvantage in our admissions process should you choose not to take these optional tests or submit the scores to Columbia.
Please note that proficiency exam scores must be submitted if they are required for the completion of, and graduation from, your secondary school. This may include internal and external exam results, such as A Level, International Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, and other final national exam results.
Additional details for applicants
Answer “yes” or “no” to submitting your ACT or SAT scores on your application to indicate whether or not you would like your test scores to be considered in our holistic admissions review process.
Please note that our office will verify scores for all enrolling students who opted to self-report their testing, and any discrepancies between official and self-reported scores may jeopardize a student's place in the class.
If you plan to submit an official score report to our office, please be sure to use the correct registration code for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science to ensure proper delivery of your scores. The appropriate SAT code is 2116, and the appropriate ACT code is 2717. If you sent your score using an incorrect code, you must contact the testing agency to resend your scores.
Please do not use the "rush" service in sending your test scores to Columbia; doing so does not speed up the processing of your test scores. Applicants may select the Score Choice option for the SAT or choose to submit specific ACT composite scores.
