Faq

admissions

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

TUITION AND FEES

CAN I APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE PROGRAM?

You can only apply to more than one program if you are applying to an approved dual-degree program within GSAPP.

Details

SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS

CAN I APPLY TO BOTH M.S. AAD AND M.S. AUD?

Applicants may only apply to one of the two programs. Duplicate applications will be rejected. If multiple applications are received, the GSAPP will process the first application submitted and discard the others.

FINANCIAL AID

HOW DO I SEND MY TEST SCORES TO THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE?

Applicants need to contact the testing company directly to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office.

GRE score reports should be sent to the GSAPP at Institution Code 2164, a department code is not needed. Please contact Educational Testing Service (ETS), 1-800-473-2252 for more information.

TOEFL score reports should be sent to Institution Code 2164, Department Code 12. Please contact ETS, 1-877-863-3546 (within US) or (609) 771-7100 (international) for more information.

GMAT score reports should be sent to Institution Code QF8-73-53. Please contact the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) for more information.

WHAT ARE THE TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS?

A minimum verbal score of 150 on the GRE is required for admission to the M. ARCH, M.S. HP, M.S. UP, M.S. CCCP, and M.S. RED* programs. Submitted applications with a verbal score below 150 may not be reviewed.

All applicants, with the exception of Introduction to Architecture students, whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. A minimum of total score of 100 on the TOEFL iBt is required for admissions.

*Applicants to the M.S. RED program may submit GMAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. At this time there is no minimum required score for the GMAT.

WHAT IF MY TEST SCORES DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT?

GSAPP is committed to a fair and transparent admissions process. For this reason, we will not waive test score requirements or make exceptions for candidates who have lower scores. Applicants who do not meet the minimum scores may choose to retake the exam. GSAPP will update applications with new scores until one month after the deadline (provided the first round of test scores were submitted by the application deadline).

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY TEST SCORES WERE RECEIVED?

After submitting your application, you will be able to see which materials have been received. We ask that students allow at least two business days for their application status to be fully updated as our admissions staff manually checks each application before updating online.

HOW DO I WAIVE MY TOEFL SCORE?

Students who have completed two full years in an educational institution with English as the official language of instruction are eligible to waive the TOEFL exam. The exam can be waived directly in the online application for students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree that meets the requirements. Students who meet the requirement via a Master’s degree should email the Admissions Office for further instructions.

DO YOU ACCEPT THE IELTS?

No, we do not accept the IELTS. We require the TOEFL.

DO YOU ACCEPT THE TOEFL ITP?

No, the TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) exams are not administered by ETS and is not for University-level admissions.

DO I NEED TO HAVE THE MARCH PREREQUISITES COMPLETED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

You do not have to complete the prerequisites by the deadline. You will need to complete them before you start the program in the fall.

MY RECOMMENDER IS HAVING TROUBLE UPLOADING THEIR LETTER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

They may email a copy of their recommendation letter directly to the Admissions Office via mail_arch@columbia.edu and our staff will add their letter to your application. You may also submit a help ticket to ApplyYourself Tech support, which helps us to keep track of these issues.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘ONLINE’ AND ‘OFFLINE’ PROVIDER FOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS?

‘Online’ means that the application system will send an email to the recommender with instructions on how to upload their letter of recommendation. ‘Offline’ means that the recommender will not be able to upload their letter to your application and will need to email or mail a copy to GSAPP.

WHEN ARE RECOMMENDATION LETTERS DUE?

All application materials, including letters, should be received by the application deadline.

I AM APPLYING TO A DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM WITHIN GSAPP, HOW DO I USE THE SAME RECOMMENDATION LETTERS?

Please list recommenders as ‘ONLINE PROVIDERS’ in one application and ‘OFFLINE PROVIDERS’ in the other application. The admissions staff will make sure each application has a copy of the letter. Please be sure that your recommender states your full name and interest of both programs in the body of the letter.

ONLY ONE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION IS REQUIRED FOR MY PROGRAM, MAY I SUBMIT MORE?

Applicants who choose to submit more than one letter of recommendation will need to provide the system with three recommenders in order to successfully submit their application. In the event an applicant wishes to submit two letters, they should list the third as JOHN DOE and designate them as an OFFLINE PROVIDER (no email address required).

CAN I SUBMIT ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION LETTERS?

Yes. You may have your recommender send their letter via mail_arch@columbia.edu (preferred) or mail a hard copy to the admissions office (signed & sealed).

I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY UPLOADING MY TRANSCRIPT, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You may email a copy directly to mail_arch@columbia.edu.

WHAT DOES ‘UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT’ MEAN?

An uploaded scan of your transcript or PDF is considered ‘Unofficial’ if it sent directly by you, rather than from the issuing institution. Unofficial transcripts are perfectly acceptable for the admissions process. You will be asked to provide an official copy of your records (signed, sealed & mailed or certifiable PDF) from your previous institutions only if you are admitted to GSAPP and choose to enroll in the school.

WHAT DOES ‘CERTIFIED TRANSLATION’ MEAN WITH REGARDS TO NON-ENGLISH TRANSCRIPTS?

The translation must be certified as an accurate translation of the original and should be notarized or otherwise authenticated (either by degree-granting University or third-party). Either WES or an official translation (certified/notarized/authenticated as accurate) is appropriate. Both the non-English and translated copies of your transcript should be uploaded.

PROGRAM QUESTIONS

WHEN DO THE PROGRAMS BEGIN?

MARCH, MSHP, MSUP, MSCCCP, and NY/P begin in the fall semester.

MSAAD, MSRED, MSAUD, and Intro programs begin in the summer. Please visit the academic calendar for specific dates.

CAN I APPLY FOR THE SPRING TERM?

We do not have spring admissions for our degree programs. Special Students and Visiting Scholars have spring term admissions, with a December 1 application deadline.

CAN I START M.S. AAD/M.S. AUD/M.S. RED IN THE FALL?

Due to the nature of the program requirements and their course sequences, it is not possible to start these programs in the fall or spring. Please view the academic calendar for more information.

WHAT IF MY GRADUATION DATE IS AFTER THE START OF PROGRAM?

You must have completed your degree by the start of program. If your degree is not conferred at that time, you will be required to send an official letter from your degree-granting institution stating that you have completed all degree requirements and when your degree will be granted.

CAN I MISS CLASS FOR MY GRADUATION CEREMONY?

Students must be present on the first day of class, and cannot miss more than three classes during the semester.

DO YOU OFFER DEFERRALS?

We are only able to grant deferrals for documented medical emergencies.

DO YOU ACCEPT TRANSFER STUDENTS?

We do not accept transfer students. Students must first apply and be accepted to one of our programs.

CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ADMISSIONS STAFF?

Unfortunately, the Admissions Office is unable to arrange meetings with staff, faculty, or current students. If you have further program questions that are not answered on the website, please let us know and we can reach out to the Program Director for you or you may contact them directly (faculty contact information is available on our website).

WHAT ARE ADMISSIONS OFFICE HOURS?

The GSAPP Admissions Office is open Monday-Friday, 9AM- 5PM EST.

WHAT IS THE MAILING ADDRESS FOR THE GSAPP ADMISSIONS OFFICE?

GSAPP Admissions 400 Avery Hall, 1172 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10027

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE QUESTIONS

DOES GSAPP OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS?

GSAPP has one need-based scholarship available to US citizens and Permanent Residents for whom we are able to verify need. Merit-based fellowships are also offered to select applicants.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP?

The need-based scholarship form is within the online application and must be completed before submitting the application. The form will only appear in your application portal if you are eligible (US Citizens or Permanent Resident status).

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MERIT-BASED FELLOWSHIP?

All applications are reviewed for select merit-based fellowships; there is no form to submit and it is not necessary to state your interest.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER SCHOLARSHIP/FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES?

Columbia University Student Financial Services has information about Institution Aid and Outsides Awards, while eligibility may vary. For more information please visit: http://sfs.columbia.edu/grad-institutional-aid and http://sfs.columbia.edu/grad-outside-awards

I’M FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT; DO I STILL NEED TO SUBMIT MY PARENTS’ FINANCIAL INFORMATION?

Yes. Most of our students are independent from their parents and have been so for several years. In order to make a fair and accurate judgment about a student’s need, we review this information.

Scholarships will be considered only if the application has been filled out appropriately and all tax forms have been submitted.

DO YOU OFFER FEE WAIVERS?

Fee waivers are granted to McNair Scholars, applicants in the Peace Corps or the military, and to those who currently receive financial aid from their home institutions. We will need documentation (i.e. a letter from official office or copy of student financial statement showing aid) to process your request. Applicants should create an application online before submitting documentation. Decisions are processed within three business days. Documentation should be sent via email to arch_admissions@columbia.edu or via fax to 646.304.6765.

WILL APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AFFECT MY CHANCE TO BE ADMITTED?

At GSAPP we have a need blind admissions policy. Students are admitted based on merit; applications are reviewed without any knowledge of their financial situation.

IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

At this time we do not offer need-based financial aid to international students. However, international students may be eligible to apply for student loans. A co-signer who is a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and lives in the U.S is usually required. Please contact our Student Financial Planning office at 212.854.7040 for further information.

HOW DO I ESTIMATE THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROGRAM?

Columbia University Student Financial Services has information about current and past estimated total cost of attendance on their website.