How do I apply to a GSAS program?

What can you tell me about my prospective department?

You can access information regarding specfic degree programs and requirements here.

Is there any funding for Free-Standing M.A. students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences?

Unfortunately, GSAS is not able to provide funding for M.A. students. Any funds you secure through the institution will likely be in the form of loans for M.A. programs. You are encouraged to look for outside (scholarship) funding as well.

Does admission to a Free-Standing M.A. program at GSAS guarantee me admission to the Ph.D. program when I have completed the degre?

No. You will need to re-apply to the Ph.D. program, just like any other prospective Ph.D. student.

Do students accepted to Ph.D. programs recieve funding?

Almost all students admitted to a Ph.D. program in Arts and Sciences are supported by a multi-year fellowship. This includes tuition, health insurance and an annual stipend. The fellowships usually require a certain amount of teaching or other responsibilitie. Other schools affiliated with Columbia have different funding availability and students need to contact the school(s) directly for details. Free-Standing Master's programs at Columbia are not funded.

Do you have Minority funding?

GSAS does not have minority fellowships.

Do I need to have a Master's degree before applying to a Ph.D. program at Columbia?

Students can enter directly into Ph.D. programs at Columbia with only a bachelor's degree. They then obtain the M.A. and M.Phil. en-route to the Ph.D. However, a significant number of students do complete a master's or post-baccalaureate program before applying to a Ph.D. program at Columbia. This can be a good idea, particularly for students who have not done research in the prospective area of graduate study or for thoses who need to improve their academic preparedness or faculty support(i.e. letters of evaluation).

What are the advantages of entering a Ph.D. program directly, rather than doing an MA first?

One advantage of going dirctly to a Ph.D. program in one of the 31 Arts and Sciences programs at GSAS is that, if admitted, you are guaranteed funding (money that does not need to be paid back). However, admission to these programs is highly competitive: to be admitted, you generally must have a high GPA, strong GRE scores, extensive research in the field you would like to study, a focused research agenda for your Ph.D. work and excellent evaluations from faculty you have worked with in the discipline.

Can you send me a GSAS catalogue or other printed information about Columbia?

All information about admissions, programs and campus life can be found online through this website. We no longer print any information about GSAS.

Does GSAS grant fee waivers for prospective applicants?

Please refer to the section Applicantion Fee Waivers.

Do you have a summer research program for undergraduates?

Yes. In conjunction with the Leadership Alliance the Office of Minority Affairs facilitates the GSAS Summer Research Program, which accepts applications from promising students from underrepresented groups who are entering their junior or senior year in college. The application deadline generally fallls in early to mid February.