Admitted Students
How do I submit my official transcripts?
Admitted students who plan to enroll must submit official transcripts to Columbia Engineering. Certified and secure online official transcripts must be submitted directly to Columbia from your prior academic institution(s)’ Registrar Office to [email protected]; among these must be a transcript indicating conferral of a Bachelor’s degree. The policy for submitting official transcripts is as follows:
1) All students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit electronic transcripts directly from their school to [email protected].
If a school does not offer electronic delivery, applicants must write to [email protected] to provide us with the link to their institution's webpage concerning transcript orders. Applicants may also be asked to provide additional documentation to confirm the school cannot send transcripts electronically. After verifying that your institution does not provide an electronic option, we will then authorize a hardcopy submission mailed directly to us by the Registrar of your university in a sealed envelope.
2) All students attending Chinese institutions will be required to contact CHESICC to arrange submission of a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Student's Academic Transcript” AND a “Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate” or "Online Verification Report of China Higher Education Qualification Certificate" (for those earning a degree in China) to Columbia at [email protected].
3) All other students who have attended an international university must submit an electronic transcript (if their school offers secure online delivery) to [email protected].
If the university cannot send transcripts electronically via a secure, password-protected system, applicants must order a Course-by-Course Evaluation and International Credential Advantage Package to be sent electronically to [email protected] from World Education Services (WES).
Can I submit my official transcript in person?
No. We will not accept hand-delivered transcripts to our office, nor will we accept transcripts mailed by the student.
Will my transcripts be verified?
Yes, all information submitted during the application process will be verified prior to enrollment. All students must provide written consent to participate in a verification process of all academic, professional, and reference information provided during their application process. All students must sign and date an authorization and release form to conduct the verification process. The link to do so will be provided once the student has formally accepted our offer of admission.
What is the Verification Process?
Following admission to a Columbia Engineering graduate program, all students will participate in the Verification Process. During this process, all materials submitted by the student will be reviewed for authenticity. All students must provide written consent to participate in a verification process of all academic, professional, and reference information provided during their application process. All students must sign and date an authorization and release form to conduct the verification process. The link to do so will be provided once the student has formally accepted our offer of admission.
If I am admitted, can I transfer to another program at SEAS?
No, you cannot transfer into another program prior to the first semester. You have the option of enrolling in the program you were admitted to and applying by reactivation to the new program for the following semester. If you do not want to enroll in the program you were admitted to, you can decline the offer, then, you can apply by reactivation to the new program for the following semester. Reactivation allows you to use your prior application again to apply for one of the two semesters following the original semester of admission. If you do not reactivate within a year and want to apply again you will need to submit a new application altogether.
What is the tuition deposit?
Applicants who have been accepted for admission will be required to submit a tuition deposit payment to hold their place in the new incoming class. The tuition deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Therefore, if an admitted applicant pays the deposit, but fails to enroll for the particular program and term of the admission offer, the deposit will not be returned. After the end of the add/drop registration period tuition deposits paid will be credited to the enrolled student's account. More information will be provided upon admission in the admission notification and follow-up messages.
Are newly admitted students required to pay a tuition deposit to accept the offer of admission?
Yes, all newly admitted MS students are asked to submit a tuition deposit to accept the offer of admission and secure their place in the class. The tuition deposit allows academic departments to more accurately determine the expected incoming class size and plan accordingly.
How much is the tuition deposit required to accept the offer of admission?
The tuition deposit amount ranges from $4,000.00 depending on the program of admission. The tuition deposit amount can be found on your admission letter.
Is the tuition deposit refundable?
No, if you pay the tuition deposit and ultimately do not enroll for the term you were admitted it will not be refunded. However, if you do enroll as expected the full deposit will be credited toward your student account after registration. There are no exceptions to this long-standing and standard university practice.
When will I see my tuition deposit reflected in my account?
Your tuition deposit will appear in your student account after the add/drop period in your first semester. It will not be reflected prior to this.
I was admitted, but did not enroll for the term of admission. Can I defer my admission to a future term?
I am a current Columbia Engineering graduate student and would like to switch to another program in a different department or for a doctoral program, what should I do?
Current Columbia Engineering graduate students only who would like to be considered for a new degree program may reactivate their prior application. To begin this process, the Columbia Engineering Reactivation Form should be submitted. You will be prompted to log in with your original application account credentials. If applying after one year of enrollment in a graduate engineering program, then students should submit a new application for admission.
Current Columbia Engineering graduate students must upload a copy of their academic record into the online application even if it is their first semester at Columbia and no grades have been reported yet. Not doing so can cause a delay in the review of the application for admission. However, students need not request an official transcript be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.