Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript .svg)
Essay 
Writing Sample 
2 Recommendations 
English Test B2 
Online Application From 
Application Fee 
Parent/Guardian Consent 
Application is closed
Columbia University's Summer Immersion is an intensive pre-college course, designed to challenge and engage high-achieving students in a supportive environment. Students can choose from over 70 courses in a range of subject areas, and have access to college and admissions focused activites.
Non-credit
Residential
Commuter
Accepts International Students
Financial Aid
Final project
Choosing from over seventy courses in a dozen subject areas, students select one curricular option for an in-depth examination of a specific subject area. Subject Areas include Architecture, Arts, Biology, Economics, Writing, Law, Marketing and Communications, Mathematics, Philosophy and Humanities, Physical Sciences, Politics, Social Sciences, and Technology and Computer Programming
Most curricular options meet for two hours every morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. Students are normally given a ten-minute break halfway through each class meeting. The hours between the morning and afternoon meetings are devoted to lunch, relaxation, use of the gym, and various co- and extracurricular activities.
40% of program participants attend the program as commuter students. Along with students in the residential program, they take part in intensive classes every morning and afternoon and are able to participate in daily recreational, co-curricular, and community outreach programs during the midday break and in the early evening.
The residential option is only available to students in our 3-week program.
Residential Experience:
The residential option is open to students in the 3-week program only. Students who will be 16 years of age or older by the start of the program qualify automatically for residential status.
The residential option is not available for students who will not yet be 16 by the beginning of the program. Younger students are welcome to apply for the commuter option or one of the online experiences.
Commuter Experience: The commuter option is open to students in the 3-week and 1-week program. Students entering grades 9 through 12 and freshman year of college are eligible to attend as day students.
All admitted commuter students must provide documentation as part of the enrollment process that they will live at a residence that includes direct adult supervision in the form of family members or family friends who will live in the same residence. Students must attest that they will not take unsupervised housing in the form of hotel rooms, Airbnb rentals, hostels or other such accommodation.
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
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, labs, debates, simulations, workshops, studios, assigned readings, and individual and group projects. Participants are expected to participate actively in class and may be required to prepare in-class presentations.
Whenever possible, we try to take advantage of the resources of New York City and Columbia University by means of field trips, guest speakers, and use of University facilities.
Students are encouraged to think independently, critically, and creatively. Instructors guide them in learning how to do so. Even more important than the particular knowledge participants gain in any of these classes is the ability to think with both open-mindedness and precision about complex and challenging 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.
GRADES, EVALUATIONS, AND CREDIT
The Immersion Programs are academically rigorous; however, courses do not carry college credit.
Grades are not assigned. Rather, upon successful participation of the program, students receive an official Columbia University Certification of Participation and written evaluations from their instructors.
Evaluations and Certifications of Participation are typically issued by mid-to-late October.
ATTENDANCE
Because learning in our courses is so much based on what goes on in the classroom and because the sessions are so short in duration, it is important that students attend all or virtually 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, and in most cases we will contact the parents when a student misses class.
STUDENT LIFE ACTIVITIES
Programs and workshops are offered daily during the midday break and in the early evening. These include special lectures given by program instructors, workshops on preparing for college, opportunities to explore career fields, and activities designed to build leadership skills. There are also opportunities to have fun engaging with peers by joining a club or attending a community building event.
DINING
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided for residential students 7 days a week. The meal plan consists of a wide variety of food served cafeteria-style and includes vegetarian and vegan options. Kosher and halal meal plans are also available and can be requested upon enrollment in the program.
Meal plans are not available to commuter students; however, they may purchase meals at campus dining halls.
The Summer Immersion program is open to domestic or international students entering grades 9 through 12 or freshman year of college in the fall. Students must be currently enrolled in school upon applying.
The residential option is open to students who will be 16 years of age or older by the start of the program. Younger students are welcome to apply for the commuter option or one of the online experiences.
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. 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.
Documentation of immunization for MMR and Meningitis 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 to the Immunization Office.
Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript
Essay
Writing Sample
2 Recommendations
English Test B2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
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.
Students must upload all materials directly to their online application. Students may contact Admissions at [email protected] with any questions.
Applications are not considered complete until all required materials have been received. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Nonrefundable application fee. The application fee is $80. Applicants must include credit card information through the online application.
- Transcript. An unofficial transcript is required for application review. All institutions attended must be listed in the Academic History section of the online application.
- Essay submitted through the online application.
- Two Recommendations Recommendations must be submitted by your recommenders through the online application. Once you add and save their information (name, title, and email address) an email is sent to your recommenders with a link to our recommendation form. Please note, recommendations submitted from non-school affiliated email addresses will not be accepted. Applicants may submit their applications before we receive their recommendations.
- Writing Sample (creative writing applicants only).
Students interested in a Creative Writing course will submit one of the following:
Two writing samples, 3-7 pages total (longer submissions are acceptable), consisting of poems, short stories, scripts or creative nonfiction.
Two writing samples, 3-7 pages total (longer submissions are acceptable) of any kind of writing demonstrating a command of grammar and punctuation.
- Community Standards Consent Form. Community standards are strictly enforced. Failure to abide by the Community Standards Consent Form will result in dismissal from the program.
- Financial Responsibility Agreement. Students and the parent/legal guardian sign to agree to pay the full program costs if the student accepts an offer to the program and does not notify the Office of Admissions of their withdrawal before the published withdrawal deadline.
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.
Jun 26 - Jul 14
3 weeks
Residential
Jun 26 - Jul 14
3 weeks
Commuter
Jul 18 - Aug 04
2 weeks
Residential
Jul 18 - Aug 04
2 weeks
Commuter
Aug 07 - Aug 11
1 week
Commuter
University fees are not yet finalized for Summer 2023. The below-listed fees are from the previous term. Tuition and fees are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and may change.
COURSE MATERIALS
For most curricular options, students should budget approximately $50 for expenses such as text books and field trip-related costs. Some courses also require laptops or equipment that should be purchased before the start of class; these requirements are listed toward the bottom of the individual course pages (3-Week, 1-Week).
APPLICATION FEE
Students are required to pay a nonrefundable $80.00 application fee.
DEPOSIT
To secure a place in the program, a $1,000.00 non-refundable deposit is due upon notification of acceptance to the program. Students participating in multiple sessions pay an additional deposit for each session they plan to attend. The deposit will be credited toward the program cost and reflect in the final program bill - it is not an additional fee.
Financial Aid
For summer 2023, a limited number of need-based scholarships are available to residents of New York City who participate as commuters in the Summer Immersion (3-Week) Program. Additional information, including eligibility requirements, can be found on the 3-Week Commuter cost page.
Individual applications for financial aid are not accepted for students participating in a residential program. 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.
Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript
Essay
Writing Sample
2 Recommendations
English Test B2
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
Application is closed
Useful Resources
Great!
Your subscribe request has successfully sent to the Columbia University
Sehr gut!
Ihre Anfrage wurde erfolgreich abgesendet an Columbia University
Tell us your
opinion about us