APPLICATION FEE:

A $75 non-refundable application fee is required. This fee can be paid by Visa or Mastercard, and must be submitted via the online application system. Candidates applying to a dual degree program within the GSAPP will need to submit two separate applications and application fees.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION:

Recommenders may submit their reference letters electronically through our application system. For recommenders who wish to submit their recommendation letters on paper, please remind them to include your full name and program of study in the body of the letter. You should list this recommender as an OFFLINE PROVIDER.  The GSAPP does not have a special form for letters of recommendation. Envelopes must be sealed with the recommender's signature on the flap.

New York / Paris Program: Le should be from your major advisor or an academic dean, supporting the application to the program and attesting to the student's ability to live and study abroad is required.  If the applicant has graduated from an undergraduate institution, a letter of recommendation from a current employer is needed. 

PERSONAL STATEMENT:

Please describe your background, your past work in your intended field of study, and your plans for graduate study and a professional career.  If you have not yet come to a decision about your career, or if your plans are tentative, please do not hesitate to say so.

Applicants to the NY/Paris and Visiting Scholars Program should limit themselves to 300 and 500 words respectively.  

TRANSCRIPTS:

An official transcript from each university attended and credit earned is required. All transcripts must be received by the application deadline.

You may “upload” a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record to your online application prior to submitting the application. Please refer to the details below before proceeding. You should not mail in a copy of a transcript or academic record that you have already "uploaded" to your on-line application.

We encourage you to upload a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record (as opposed to sending a hardcopy) in order to save you time and ensure that a record of your academic progress is included with your submitted application. Not only does this eliminate the need to have a transcript mailed to us during the initial processing and review of your application, it precludes any delays resulting from the non-receipt of a transcript.

Transcripts that are in a language other than English should be translated into English. The translation must be certified as an accurate translation of the original and be should notarized or otherwise authenticated. Both the non-English and translated copies of your transcript should be uploaded. 

The “Uploading” and “Mailing” options for submitting academic transcripts are discussed in detail below: 

Uploading a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record

+ Please scan a current copy of your transcript at the lowest dpi that results in a legible document (we recommend to use under 200 dpi whenever possible).

+ You must ensure that the institution name and other identifying marks are not missed during the scanning process and that your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on US Letter size paper (8 ½" x 11")

+ You will want to ensure that you also include the transcript legend (back page in most cases).

+ You will want to be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file.

+ You will want to ensure that its size is less then 1000kb (1mb). Scanning in “gray scale” or black and white may produce the best results.

+ If the scanned file is too large then you may want to make a photocopy first (experiment with different settings until you find one that results in the smallest file size) then scan the photocopy.

Mailing a copy of your transcript or academic record

Mailed transcripts must be submitted in sealed envelopes. Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by notarized English translations. Please mail your transcripts to the following address:

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University
Office of Admissions
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

Applicants to the Special Student and Visiting Scholars Programs whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.  International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an English-speaking institution may waive the TOEFL exam requirement provided they can submit relevant transcripts.  The GSAPP does not accept the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL exam. 

A minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the internet-based test is required for admission. The institution code is 2164 and Dept. Code 12.

Information can be obtained by contacting TOEFL/ TSE Services, phone 1-877-863-3546 (inside US) or (609) 771-7100 (outside US) or by web WWW.ETS.ORG/TOEFL.

FINANCIAL AID:

Only U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents applying to the New York/Paris Program are eligible for scholarship aid from the school.

Scholarships are need-based only. Applicants who are applying for scholarship aid must submit the online Scholarship form by January 15. In addition, a copy of the 2008 IRS form 1040 is required from the student, spouse and students' parents, regardless of financial dependency status.

Those interested in student loans and/or Work-Study need only submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Our FAFSA code is E00115. Information can be obtained by contacting the Federal Student Aid Program at WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV or by phone 1-800-433-3243, or the Columbia University Financial Planning Office, 202 Kent Hall, NY, NY 10027 (212) 854-7040.

It is the applicant's responsibility to make certain all materials are submitted. All documents become the property of the University and cannot be returned.

RE-APPLYING:

We are no longer saving files or materials sent during previous application periods. Those wishing to re-apply must resubmit all of the required application materials for their new application to be considered complete.