Columbia University
Ivy League university in NYC with renowned journalism and business schools. Founded in 1754, Columbia is the oldest institution of higher education in New York State. The Core Curriculum requires every undergraduate to take the same foundational sequence in literature, philosophy, and civilization, regardless of major. The Columbia Journalism School and Manhattan location give students direct access to media, finance, and policy internships most campuses simply cannot match.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Columbia's official admissions site before applying.
What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of Columbia's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
Will You Get Into Columbia?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against Columbia's real published middle-50% band (1510–1580 SAT, 34–35 ACT) and its 4.0% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
With only a 4.0% acceptance rate, Columbia is a reach for almost every applicant, regardless of test scores.
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Get Started FreeApplication Deadlines
Source: Columbia admissions, 2026–27 (fall 2027 entry), verified Oct 2026.
Required Supplements
- Common App
- Columbia Supplement
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
Requirements vary by cycle. Confirm what Columbia currently asks for on its official admissions site.
What Should Your Columbia Essay Focus On?
- Show intellectual curiosity and why NYC specifically matters to you
- Demonstrate you've researched specific programs and faculty
- The "list" question wants authentic, not impressive, interests
- Emphasize fit with Columbia's Core Curriculum
What Is Columbia Looking For in Applicants?
- Academic rigor and intellectual vitality strong enough to keep pace with a mandatory Core Curriculum shared by every student
- Genuine enthusiasm for the Core Curriculum itself, not just tolerance of a requirement
- A real plan to use New York City itself as part of the education, beyond simply enjoying campus life
- A specific, well-researched reason for Columbia rather than a reason that could apply to any Ivy League school
See where you stand at Columbia.
Skora estimates your chances from Columbia's acceptance rate and its admitted students' test scores, then gives you feedback on every essay. Free to start.
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