We are now accepting applications for Summer 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- What is the cost of the program?
- Do you offer financial aid?
- Is the program offered to dependents of Columbia University employees at a reduced cost?
- Will participating in this program help me get into Columbia College?
- Where are classes held?
- Is there a dress code?
- How much do books and course materials cost?
- How much homework do instructors assign?
- Are there information sessions available to learn more about the program?
The Application Process
- What are you looking for in an applicant?
- May I still be in the program if I am already a senior in high school?
- For the recommendation letter, may I submit a letter from a school administrator such as my principal, headmaster, or guidance counselor?
- What if my PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores are low?
- I took the program last year. Must I reapply?
- May I apply to more than one session?
- May I take more than one curricular option?
- When will I be notified of an admissions decision?
- Should I expect additional mailings after receiving my admissions letter?
- I am homeschooled, who is eligible to submit recommendation letters on my behalf?
Academics
- How many classes can I take?
- Do I have to take all of the classes that make up my chosen curricular option?
- When do classes meet?
- How demanding are the classes?
- What is the program’s approach to teaching and learning?
- What is the attendance policy?
- How much homework is assigned?
- How much do books and course materials cost?
- Who teaches the classes?
- Are the classes for academic credit?
- How are students evaluated?
Online Learning
- What kind of technology is required?
- What do I do if I have technical difficulties?
- Are there accommodations for students with disabilities?
- Is there a scheduled time I must log in for the class?
- What activities are available outside of the classroom for students?
- How is the program accommodating students who live in different time zones?
What is the program cost?
Program costs can be found on the Program Cost section of the website.
Do you offer financial aid?
Individual applications for financial aid are not accepted. Students should speak with their school's guidance counselor for information on how to search for financial aid and scholarship opportunities from outside sources and organizations.
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to residents of New York City who participate as commuters in the Summer Immersion: New York City (3-Week) Program.
Is the program offered to dependents of Columbia University employees at a reduced cost?
Yes, dependents of eligible, full-time, active Columbia University officers (Columbia University, Barnard College, Teachers College professional staff, CUIMC, and Jewish Theological Seminary) are eligible to receive a 50% cost reduction.
When completing their online application, applicants will have the opportunity to report their dependent status. Once an offer of admission is accepted and the student registers for class the cost-reduction credit will be applied directly to the student's account.
For additional information, please email hsp@columbia.edu.
Will participating in this program help me get into Columbia College?
Columbia University's Programs for High School Students are distinct from Columbia University's undergraduate school, Columbia College. Before applying to one of the high school programs, students should understand that their participation will have no influence on any ongoing or future application and admissions processes at Columbia College.
Where are classes held?
Classes are held online using Zoom.
To successfully participate in your course, you will need:
A computer that is capable of running the latest versions of browsers, plug-ins, and recent software, including tools that will keep the system free of viruses and spyware.
A high-speed, hard-wired Internet connection (Ethernet) that will support streaming/interactive audio and video. Weak Wi-Fi may cause issues such as latency, choppy audio, and loss of connection.
A webcam will be required for your daily participation in class. If your computer does not have a built in camera, you can purchase a USB-based webcam to affix to the top of your computer.
While many laptops come with built-in mics and speakers, we highly recommend that you use a USB-based headset with a microphone, such as the Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset. If you are using a laptop with a built-in microphone, please use headphones or earbuds during class sessions to avoid echo or feedback. Listening through speakers may cause echo that disrupts the entire class.
Please be sure you have administrative permission to install Zoom and other technologies on your computer.
Students should choose a well-lit, distraction-free learning space appropriate for interacting with faculty and fellow students on camera.
Is there a dress code?
There is no dress code for the Online Immersion Program. We advise students to dress as if they were attending class in-person.
How much do books and course materials cost?
For most curricular options, students should budget approximately $50 for expenses such as textbooks and course materials. Some courses also require equipment or software that should be purchased before the start of class; these requirements are listed toward the bottom of each course page; 2-Week courses and 1-Week courses.
How much homework do instructors assign?
The amount of homework varies from one class to another. In most cases, students should expect no more than two hours of homework per night.
Are there information sessions available to learn more about the program?
Yes. For more information about upcoming information sessions, please visit the Events page.
What are you looking for in an applicant?
Admission to the program is selective. The admissions committee seeks out academically exceptional students who are eager to contribute original ideas and a spirit of intellectual curiosity to a community of highly motivated learners.
Though there are no set minimum requirements such as a particular GPA, the application materials should establish that the student has the necessary academic background and level of ability, motivation, and maturity necessary for the program. Students must present evidence of the completion of any particular prerequisites identified in the individual program descriptions to be eligible to take courses with prerequisites.
May I still be in the program if I am already a senior in high school?
Yes, you still qualify for participation in the program.
For the recommendation letter, may I submit a letter from a school administrator such as my principal, headmaster, or guidance counselor?
No. No substitutions are accepted for the letter of recommendation. The perspective of a teacher is valuable in making admissions decisions.
What if my PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores are low?
We do not ask for these scores as part of the application. If they are available, we will consider them, particularly in the case of students applying to study science or math.
I took the program last year. Must I reapply?
Returning applicants will receive an email with an invitation to re-enroll for a new term.
Students should not create a new application as it will cause an error message in your application portal. Additionally, please do not create a new application account with a new email address.
The email invitation will contain detailed instructions on how to update your application for the new term and provides an expedited re-enrollment process specifically for returning students. You will be considered a priority registration applicant as long as your application is submitted before the listed deadline.
Detailed instructions are available on the apply page for past participants.
May I apply to more than one session?
Students may participate in multiple sessions. Students wishing to attend multiple sessions within one modality (e.g. online) may do so with one application. Students wishing to attend a combination of residential, commuter, or online sessions must submit an additional application.
Please submit your initial application and email hsp-apply@columbia.edu for an application fee waiver code to be applied to your second application. We will clone your application materials so all you will need to do for the second application is select your second program of interest and submit.
Please review the possible session combinations to determine your desired program options.
Online Program
- (O1) 2 Weeks - Session 1: July 3 —July 14, 2023
- (O2) 2 Weeks - Session 2: July 17 —July 28, 2023
- (O3) 1 Week - Session 3: August 7 — August 11, 2023
- (O4) 4 Weeks - Sessions 1 & 2: July 3 —July 28, 2023
- (O5) 3 Weeks - Sessions 1 & 3: July 3 —July 14 and August 7 — August 11, 2023
- (O6) 3 Weeks - Sessions 2 & 3: July 17 —July 28 and August 7— August 11, 2023
- (O7) 5 Weeks - Sessions 1, 2 & 3: July 3 — August 11, 2023
May I take more than one curricular option?
You may take only one curricular option per session.
When will I be notified of an admissions decision?
It normally takes three to five weeks to receive a decision after all application materials have been received.
Should I expect additional mailings after receiving my admissions letter?
You will receive instructional emails after submitting your enrollment form and committing to attend the program, but no mailings will be sent via postal mail.
I am homeschooled, who is eligible to submit recommendation letters on my behalf?
The academic recommendation can come from the student's primary instructor. If the instructor is a parent or legal guardian, their email address must match the email address provided in the parent information section of the application.
How many classes can I take?
Students in the 2-week program can enroll in up to two curricular options, while students in the 1-week online program can only register for 1. Some curricular options consist of two or more related classes (see individual class descriptions).
Participants also have the option of attending, in addition to the classes within their curricular option, various special lectures and co-curricular programs outside of class (see the Student Experience page).
When do classes meet?
Courses in the 2-Week program meet for three hours a day, Monday through Friday. Classes are from 8:00–11:00 a.m. or 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Courses in the 1-Week program meet for two hours every morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. Students are normally given a ten-minute break halfway through each class meeting.
How demanding are the classes?
They are intended for bright, high-achieving high school students who are proficient in English and want to work hard, be challenged, and think independently. Students are not expected to master all the concepts to which they are exposed; they are evaluated on the basis of how much effort they put in and how much progress they make, not on whether they have understood all the material.
What is the program’s approach to teaching and learning?
Classes are experiential and collaborative. While course instructors do provide substantive instruction, students learn largely by engaging directly with the subject matter through activities such as class discussions, debates, simulations, case studies, meetings with guest speakers, assigned readings, and individual and group projects. Participants are expected to participate actively in class and may be required to prepare in-class presentations.
Students are encouraged to think independently, logically, critically, and creatively. Instructors guide them in learning how to do so. Even more important than the particular knowledge participants gain in these classes is the ability to think with both open-mindedness and precision about complex material. We believe that this skill will be essential to them not only in their academic careers but also in their lives as world citizens and future leaders.
What is the attendance policy?
Because learning in our courses is so much based on what goes on in class and because the sessions are so short in duration, it is important that students attend all class sessions. A student who misses multiple class sessions may not receive a Certification of Participation even if those absences are excused. Unexcused absences can lead to dismissal from the program. Attendance is carefully monitored.
How much homework is assigned?
While much of the required work is done in class with instructor guidance, students should expect, on average, an hour or two of homework per night.
How much do books and course materials cost?
Students should budget approximately $50 for books and course materials. Some curricular options may require additional materials.
Detailed information regarding course-specific materials can be found on the individual course pages; 2-Week courses and 1-Week courses.
Who teaches the classes?
Classes are taught by scholars and practitioners who are experts in their fields, have a passion and demonstrated an aptitude for teaching, and have undergone background checks and University Protection of Minors training.
Instructor biographies appear at the bottom of each course page, though please note that (a) not all instructors listed for a course teach all sections of that course, (b) students cannot request particular instructors or sections, and (c) we occasionally have to make staffing changes because of availability issues.
Are the classes for academic credit?
Courses do not carry college credit. Upon successful completion, participants receive a personal evaluation letter from the instructor and a Columbia University Certification of Participation.
Students seeking to earn college credit may be interested in our College Edge programs, in which they can take actual undergraduate classes alongside college students; Academic Year Program and Summer Program.
How are students evaluated?
Grades are not assigned. Rather, upon successful participation in the program, students receive official Columbia University Certifications of Participation and evaluation letters from their instructors. Instructors comment candidly and constructively on students’ performance, as demonstrated by their in-class participation and submitted work. Students are evaluated on the basis of effort they put in, their progress over the duration of the class, and their potential for future work in the pertinent field and in college.
What kind of technology is required?
To successfully participate in your course and co-curricular activities, you will need:
A computer that is capable of running the latest versions of browsers, plug-ins, and recent software, including tools that will keep the system free of viruses and spyware.
A high-speed, hard-wired Internet connection (Ethernet) that will support streaming/interactive audio and video. Weak Wi-Fi may cause issues such as latency, choppy audio, and loss of connection.
A webcam will be required for your daily participation in class. If your computer does not have a built in camera, you can purchase a USB-based webcam to affix to the top of your computer.
While many laptops come with built-in mics and speakers, we highly recommend that you use a USB-based headset with a microphone, such as the Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset. If you are using a laptop with a built-in microphone, please use headphones or earbuds during class sessions to avoid echo or feedback. Listening through speakers may cause echo that disrupts the entire class.
Please be sure you have administrative permission to install Zoom and other technologies on your computer.
Students should choose a well-lit, distraction-free learning space appropriate for interacting with faculty and fellow students on camera.
What do I do if I have technical difficulties?
Prior to the start of the program and before each class, we recommend all students check to ensure they have a secure internet connection and their webcam, headset, and microphone are all performing properly. If you experience a technical issue while attending class, you will be able to reach out to your Course Facilitator who will help troubleshoot the occurring issue.
Are there accommodations for students with disabilities?
The University provides a full range of services and accommodations to assist students with disabilities. Upon acceptance into the program, students seeking assistance should contact the Disability Services Office. Only students who identify their disabilities well in advance can be assured of accommodation upon the start of the program.
Is there a scheduled time I must log in for the class?
Students are expected to be in class by its scheduled start time. We advise students to log into their class 10 minutes before to ensure that their technology is running correctly.
What activities are available outside of the classroom for students?
The Online Immersion Program offers co-curricular and College Life events and activities. Co-curricular events are those meant to expand students' intellectual experiences. Such activities would include lectures on the college application process and special lectures on topics of current interest.
College Life activities are created and hosted by current college undergraduates. Student life events feature seminars and student clubs meant to introduce students to themes around college life and healthy community engagement.
Activities take place outside of class hours and are accessible by all students regardless of their class schedule.
Additional information can be found in the Student Experience pages of the program site.
How is the program accommodating students who live in different time zones?
All courses are taught synchronously, which requires students to attend class during set meeting hours indicated on the individual course description page.
Courses in the 2-Week Program are offered on one of two schedules:
- 8:00 — 11:00 a.m.
- 12:00 — 3:00 p.m.
- 5:00 — 8:00 p.m.
Courses in the 1-Week Program are offered on the following schedule:
- 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 — 3:00 p.m.
When selecting a curricular option, we encourage students to determine if the meeting hours of that particular course are feasible for the time-zone in which the student lives. If the assigned meeting times of a particular course do not match well to the student's needs, we recommend students consider curricular options that may meet at a more convenient time.
Students are welcome to contact our Admissions Office for recommendations on similar curricular options by emailing hsp@columbia.edu.