Columbia University’s Programs were founded in 1986 for high school students. Students experience Ivy League education through the Columbia Pre-College Programs. Students can choose from a variety of courses. They have the option of doing selected courses on-campus, online, or as a commuter. The programs not only offer academic enhancement but also lifelong memories. The students explore their passions and hone their skills to succeed in college and beyond.
The students can choose from any of the following Columbia Pre-College programs:
Summer Immersion: New York City
Summer Immersion is a comprehensive course for students with academic excellence. During the program students experience the academic rigor and life of a student at Columbia. They can choose from over 70 courses in a dozen subject areas. The program encourages students to think independently, critically, and creatively about complex and challenging material. The participants also get a chance to take part in a wide variety of daily activities including faculty lectures, workshops, and excursions around the city. The students earn a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an instructor evaluation after completing the program.
The students can enroll in a one-week or three-week program. Classes typically meet for approximately two hours each morning and two hours every afternoon, Monday through Friday at Columbia’s Morningside Campus. Some courses meet for more than four hours per day. The students can attend these classes as residential or commuter students. The residential program is only available for students who are 16 years old.
The students can choose courses from the following subject areas:
Architecture and Urban Studies
Arts
Biology and Neuroscience
Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship
Creative Writing and Journalism
Humanities and Philosophy
Law and Conflict Resolution
Marketing, Media, and Communications
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Politics, Public Policy, and International Affairs
Social Impact and Sustainability
Social Sciences and Psychology
Technology and Computer Programming
The program has also added some new courses:
Becoming an Entrepreneur: During this course students learn all about the entrepreneurial process, from the preliminary stages of research to the legalities of setting up, financials, and marketing. This includes learning about the different types of enterprises, social entrepreneurship, for-profit and nonprofit. The students are expected to develop and present their business plan proposal.
Character Design for Animation and Gaming: This course is designed for students who would like to create a 2D character for an animated show. This course would be beneficial for students interested in applying to a visual arts undergraduate program. They can also use their character creation in their portfolio.
Communication for Effect: Speaking and Writing to Influence Outcomes: In this course, students go through readings, lectures, discussions, exercises, and activities and learn the art, science, and practical techniques used by the most successful marketers and salespeople.
Explorations in Quantum Physics: This course covers the fundamentals of Quantum Physics. Topics include Quantum mechanics, Quantum optics, Quantum solid-state physics, and Quantum computing.
Introduction to Contemporary Architectural Practice in New York City: The course emphasizes hands-on learning and contemporary architecture of New York City, engaging the city as a living laboratory for learning. In addition to learning through reading, direct observation, and analysis, students also learn to expand their imagination through model-making as a way of thinking with their hands, as well as sketching as a means to observe and analyze buildings.
Introduction to Sensory Neuroscience: The students explore the neuroscience behind the processing of the five senses. Along with a broad introduction to neuroscience research methodologies like fMRI, EEG, ECoG, MEG, and EBS, the students acquire critical thinking & analysis skills.
Media Activism: This course seeks to consider media’s roles in political, social, and legislative movements. Students are challenged to develop their critical fluencies in examining media within social, political, and cultural debates.
Talking and Writing about Media: In this course, students learn the art, science, and practical techniques used by the most successful marketers and salespeople through reading, lectures, discussions, exercises, and activities.
Visual and Character Development Through the Art of Anime: This class would be beneficial for students who are interested in visual arts. The students learn the techniques for visual development and create their own work.
How to Think Like an Art Director and Graphic Designer: This course is created for students interested in pursuing a visual communication undergraduate program. The students learn the skills and software required by art directors and graphic designers.
Online Summer Immersion Program
Columbia’s Online Immersion Program brings Ivy League education to highly motivated high school students. Participants select from over 40 curricular options for an in-depth study of a specific subject area. The students in the 2-week program select up to two curricular options per session, and students in the 1-week program select one curricular option per session for an in-depth examination of a specific subject area. The students get the opportunity to learn from Columbia University’s faculty and other experts in the field. They communicate and exchange ideas with bright students from all over the world. Classes meet online Monday through Friday, where students refine their academic skills through a variety of activities. They take part in class discussions, debates, simulations, and individual and group projects. At the end of the program, the students earn a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an evaluation letter.
The students from the 2-week program can choose courses from the following subject areas:
Biology and Neuroscience
Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship
Creative Writing and Journalism
Engineering
Humanities
Humanities and Philosophy
Law and Conflict Resolution
Marketing Media and Communications
Mathematics
Philosophy and Humanities
Physical Sciences
Politics, Public Policy, and International Affairs
Science and Medicine
Social Impact and Sustainability
Social Science and Psychology
Technology and Computer Programming
The students from the 1-week program can choose courses from the following subject areas:
Arts
Biology and Neuroscience
Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship
Engineering
Law and Conflict Resolution
Marketing, Media, and Communications
Mathematics
Philosophy and Humanities
Politics, Public Policy, and International Affairs
Science and Medicine
Social Impact and Sustainability
Social Science and Psychology
Technology and Computer Programming
The program has also added some new courses:
Making Change: Creating a Planet Positive Communications Campaign: This course helps students develop new ways to communicate their campaigning ideas effectively.
Writing the Future: This course investigates how writers use dystopia and science fiction to not only explore possibilities for the future but to comment on our present society. Students analyze complex text and develop their essay writing skills.
Grappling with Infinity: The students study infinity from the perspective of Logic, Set Theory, Algebra, and Geometry, leading us into the study of Limits and basic Calculus.
Understanding Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: This course provides an overview of blockchain and cryptocurrency including Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, NFTs, and Decentralized Finance (DeFi).
College Edge Summer Program
College Edge is a competitive summer program for high-achieving high school students. The students get the opportunity to earn full college credit. The students can take this program in person or as a commuter. The students get the chance to take the same courses as Columbia students and experience Ivy League education. The students start with the lower level courses and they can take the higher level courses after special permission from the advisor on campus. The students must ensure that they have the prerequisite knowledge before taking any course.
Admissions
Summer Immersion: New York City & Summer Immersion Online:
The Summer Immersion Program is offered for domestic and international students enrolled in grades 8 to 12. The program is highly selective and the applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Application Components:
High school Transcripts
Recommendation Letter: Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from an educator who teaches in a field closely related to the applicant’s curricular preferences. The letter should be submitted through the online application and the students should add the information of the recommender.
Essay:
In 400 words or less, please respond to one of the following essay prompts:
Option 1. Tell us about a topic or social issue for which your opinion has changed. How has your change in perspective influenced your actions?
Option 2. Select one of Columbia’s Pre-College Program values that most resonates with you and describe how you have pursued this value in your own life. Our values: Innovation, Critical Thinking, Social & Environmental Responsibility, Leadership, Global Awareness, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
College Edge:
Domestic and international students enrolled in grades 11 and 12 are eligible for this program. The applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The students should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
Application Components:
High School Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation: The students need to provide two letters. We recommend getting one letter from a humanities educator and another from a STEM educator.
Writing Sample: The writing sample should be a graded expository writing assignment from school.
Statement of Purpose (600–800 words)
The statement should address the following:
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A brief summary of your academic background and your personal and academic goals.
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Clearly articulated ideas regarding why the College Edge program appeals to you and how participation in the program will help you realize your academic and personal goals.
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A description of a situation in which you contributed to the learning of your fellow students in the classroom that will allow the admissions committee to consider how you would fit into a learning experience at the university level.
Cost of Attendance
Summer Immersion: New York City
Residential 3-Week Program $12,449
Commuter 3-Week Program $6,300
Commuter 1-Week Program $2,825
Summer Immersion Online
Online Immersion 1-week Program $2,810
Online Immersion 2-week Program $3,960
College Edge
College Edge Summer Program $2,364
In conclusion, the Columbia summer programs offer an exceptional opportunity for students to broaden their academic and cultural horizons. The programs provide a challenging and engaging curriculum that is taught by world-class faculty. The participants of this program develop critical thinking skills, build confidence, and gain valuable Ivy League experience. The summer programs are an excellent choice for students seeking a transformative and enriching summer experience.
We can help you with your summer school application process. Working with study abroad consultants, overseas education consultants, or, as more commonly known, college counsellors, can help you plan ahead and make those high school years count. Ivy Central offers exceptional focus to help you prepare for college admissions throughout the high-schooling years. Start today!
