Eligibility

U.S. STUDENTS
Q: Am I eligible to apply for admission to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program if I am graduating with my bachelor's this semster?
A: Yes, you do not need to wait until you complete the undergraduate degree before applying for admission. In many cases, the admissions office can make an admission decision pending the receipt of your final transcript verifying the complete of your undergraduate degree. You will, however, need to provide an updated transcript that verifies the completion of your bachelor's.

Q: Am I eligible to apply for admission to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program if I am an out-of-state resident?
A: Yes. Columbia University is a private school, which means New York state residency is not a factor in either admissions or financial aid criteria.

Q: If I completed all of the requirements for medical school more than five years ago, and did not do well, am I eligible to apply?
A: The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of college graduates who have decided to pursue a medical education, but have taken none or only some of the basic science courses required for admission to medical school. It is not designed to help improve the records of people who have already completed the requirements. For more information, visit the Eligibility section on the Admissions page.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Q: Am I eligible to apply for admission to the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program if I am an International student?
A: If your degree is the equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree from a college or university in the U.S., then yes, you are eligible to apply. There are, however, some issues that you should consider.  As an international student, medical school admission is extremely competitive. Less than 10% of applicants gain acceptance to medical school, and most admitted international students have attended a U.S. college or university. For more information, visit the International Students section on the Admissions page.

Q: How do I know if my bachelor's from overseas is accredited?
A: To verify accredidation, you must contact the school from which you received your bachelor's.

Q: Do I need to take premedical coursework as a practicing physician from outside of the U.S.?
A: Prospective students are not eligible for admission if they have completed most or all of the required premedical courses, if they have applied to medical school within the past two years, or if they have taken the MCAT. For more information, visit the Eligibility section on the Admissions page.