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At this time, we plan to hold our 2022 New York City Immersion programs as scheduled and are excited to welcome students to campus.

Eligibility 

Admission to the Programs for High School Students is selective. The admissions committee looks for academically exceptional students who are eager to contribute original ideas and a spirit of intellectual curiosity to a community of highly motivated learners.

The Summer Immersion program is open to domestic or international students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12. The residential option is open to students who will be 16 years of age or older by the start of the program. Documentation of immunization for MMR, Meningitis, and COVID-19 (including a booster if eligible) is a requirement for course registration for students studying on campus. Students who need to request an exemption from the vaccination requirement for specific medical or religious reasons will need to submit these requests for review no later than April 28, 2022.

Application Deadline

Courses frequently fill up before the application deadline, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications are processed on a rolling basis and will not be reviewed until all application materials have been submitted.

Application Process

Please expand each step and carefully read this information which explains our enrollment process in detail.

Step 1. Select Your Program Option

Step 2. Gather Your Materials

Step 3. Submit Your Application

Step 4. Receive Your Admissions Decision

Step 5. Confirm Your Enrollment

Application Requirements

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 to be an active participant in the courses and co-curricular activities.

We do not accept applications submitted on the applicant's behalf by parents, guardians, or third parties; the application should be submitted directly by the student. Communications from our Office of Admissions will be sent primarily to the student.

International Students

International students who are proficient in English are welcome to apply to the program. While applicants are not required to submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores, students' English proficiency should be equivalent to 90 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL or at least 6.5 on the IELTS.

International students should be aware that participation in the Program for High School Students does not constitute the basis for securing a student visa. Past participants have had success in obtaining Visitor (B) visas to participate in our program because the program comprises a short recreational course of study and is not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. Information on the U.S. Department of State’s policy on short periods of recreational study is available here.

Application Materials

Applications and supporting materials (application fees, the personal essay, unofficial transcripts, and letter(s) of recommendation) should be submitted through the online application.

All materials submitted by mail should clearly bear the program name, applicant's name, applicant's date of birth and, if available, Columbia University ID number. We strongly encourage students to upload all materials directly to their application or to email them to us at hsp-apply@columbia.edu as it will expedite the admissions process.

Applications are not considered complete until all required materials have been received. Only complete applications will be reviewed.