Older than the nation itself, Columbia University is one of the world's most respected and renowned universities. Founded in 1754 in a back room of Trinity Church in lower Manhattan, Columbia has been home to national and international leaders from all walks of life. With its main branch now located on Morningside Heights on New York's Upper West Side, the university includes 20,000 students. While it offers the largest graduate program in the Ivy League, it remains the smallest undergraduate institution, with an enrollment of 4,525 at Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

With an academic reputation rivaled by few, Columbia continues to serve its undergraduate students with a premier curriculum, taught by the world's finest scholars. Comprised of Columbia College with an enrollment of 3,500 and SEAS with 1025 students, Columbia offers individualized attention to all of its undergraduates. It is well-known for its trademark Core Curriculum, which provides a solid base for learning. Also added to the diverse offerings at Columbia and SEAS is the cross-registration program with Barnard College, which allows Columbians access to another outstanding resource.