Attending a Columbia pre-college program will not only put you at the top of your class, but also your future career. Columbia programs for high school students are education initiatives designed to help students determine the best path for them to take to continue their education.
This article highlights the different Columbia pre-college programs offered to high school students. Continue reading for a deep dive into the tuition costs, location, duration, institutions, and learning methods employed by these Columbia programs for high school students.
Why High School Students Should Attend a Columbia Pre-College Program
High school students should attend a Columbia pre-college program because they offer excellent opportunities to gain college preparation and experience. These programs will give students the right amount of training and exposure in their field of interest. With these skills, students will gain the proper foundations needed to excel in their future academic careers.
High School Student Requirements for Columbia Pre-College Programs
Although selective, most of the Columbia pre-college programs have the sole requirement of being a high school student enrolled within grades eight through 12 with a demonstrative eagerness to learn. Other requirements include immunization records for on-campus programs.
Can High School Students Attend a Columbia Pre-College Program Online?
Yes, some Columbia pre-college programs are offered online. There are plenty of on-campus programs, but you can still choose to attend some of these programs remotely. The university has curated these platforms to be accessible to local and international students.
How High School Students Can Get Into a Columbia Pre-College Program
- Check eligibility and availability. Acceptance into Columbia University’s programs can be competitive, so you should be sure to check the details listed on the course webpage before you apply. Make sure that your interests and academic qualifications align with the program.
- Create an account. Once you choose the program that is best suited for you, you can proceed to create an online account on the official Columbia University website. From there you’ll be able to upload and send all required application materials.
- Complete an application form. Here you will complete the official application with your contact information and address. Be sure to write an excellent application essay, sometimes referred to as “statement of purpose,” that will win over the admission team to increase your chances of being accepted into the program. You’ll also have to provide additional details such as contact information, a copy of your transcripts, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor.
- Upload official documents. This is an integral step of the application process and includes submitting a letter of recommendation written by an instructor or teacher, and a copy of your school transcripts in PDF form to show academic rigor. Creative writing programs may require additional writing samples.
- Pay the application fee. Most programs require students to pay an application fee of $80. If you need financial assistance with the fee, don’t hesitate to reach out to Columbia to see if the fee can be waived based on family income or other factors. Make sure you read the fine print and go over all the final details to increase your chances of acceptance.
Columbia University Departments
Columbia Climate School
The Columbia Climate School, in conjunction with Putney Student Travel, offers a pre-college program with an educational focus on climate science, conservation, and climate change impacts. If you are interested in protecting the natural environment, consider enrolling in a program with the Columbia Climate School.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains
- Columbia Climate Corps program
- Empowering Youth for Climate Action
Technology and Computer Programming
Columbia’s world-class instructors help make the experience of learning how to code navigable and interesting. The department’s online learning platform provides an opportunity for high-achieving students to explore technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. The academic experience includes personalized support, a community of students, and teamwork on portfolio projects.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Frontend Coding Immersion
- Introduction to Programming in C
- Computer Programming for Beginners: Coding in Java
- Computer Programming for Beginners: Coding in Python
Law and Conflict Resolution
This department offers online classes that have a strong emphasis on the many ways to resolve conflicts. High school students will learn about interpersonal conflicts and conflict resolution strategies, as well as other topics such as government, labor, and civil rights. The programs feature presentations, film analyses, discussions, and simulations.
Popular Pre-College Programs
- Human Rights in the 21st Century : Challenges in International Law and Advocacy
- Introduction to Labor Studies
- The Supreme Court and Major Topics in US Law
Popular Columbia Pre-College Programs for High School Students
| Program | Cost | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers | $4,000 | New York | 3 Weeks |
| Columbia University’s Summer Immersion New York City | $6,300 for 3 weeks | New York | 3 Weeks |
| Columbia University Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia | N/A | New York | 6 weeks |
| Columbia University: Online “College Edge” Summer Sessions | $6,822 per course | Online | 3 – 6 Weeks |
| Columbia University: Online Summer Immersion Programs | $3,960 for 2 weeks | Online | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Columbia Climate School | $5,990 | Vermont | 2 weeks |
| Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop | $849 per session | Online | 1 week |
| Columbia Engineering High School Coding Academy |
$2,500 | New York | 3 Weeks |
| Columbia University Academic Year Immersion | $1,900 per course | Online | 10 Weeks |
| Columbia University Science Honors Program | $600 per year | New York | 12 Months |
The Best Columbia Pre-College Programs
Columbia Engineering Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers
- Discipline: STEM
- Learning Method: On-campus, online
SHAPE is a summer program open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors to experience college life with an academic focus in STEM subjects. For each three-week session, students will take a college-level course in engineering. This program also features workshops and electives.
Columbia University Summer Immersion New York City
- Discipline: Law, Arts, Physical Sciences, IT
- Learning Method: On-campus
This program provides high school students with the opportunity to spend a summer living in New York City. The program offers three-week courses in over 70 different subjects, such as architecture, arts, biology, business, creative writing, law, and more. One-week courses are also offered and feature a wide variety of course subject options.
Columbia University Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York
- Discipline: Science
- Learning Method: On-campus
The Brain Research Apprenticeships, also known as BRAINYAC, provide hands-on training and substantial experience for juniors and seniors in New York City to prepare for a future career in science. You’ll get to participate in the unique student experience of working in a real-world laboratory, connect with real scientists, and learn skills to help you navigate the industry.
Columbia University Online “College Edge” Summer Sessions
- Discipline: STEM, Humanities, Writing
- Learning Method: Online
College Edge is an excellent opportunity for students in grades 11 and 12 to jumpstart their education by taking college classes and earning college credits. This program offers an online experience in many different courses, and is open to local and international students with a minimum GPA of 3.3.
Columbia University Online Summer Immersion Programs
- Discipline: Business, STEM, Humanities
- Learning Method: Online
Online Summer Immersion classes are open to students entering grades 9 through 12 and are available as one and two-week courses. Led by world-class instructors, students meet twice per day to expand their academic knowledge of a chosen subject. This option features class discussions, debates, simulations, group projects, extracurricular activities, and special lectures.
Columbia Climate School
- Discipline: Science
- Learning Method: In-person
Columbia Climate School offers this two-week intensive field theory course set in the Green Mountains and designed for high school students to effect positive change in the environment. In this program, you’ll be surrounded by nature as you study topics such as environmental justice, the science of climate change, sustainability science, community impact, and climate impact.
Columbia Scholastic Press Association Summer Journalism Workshop
- Discipline: Communications, Journalism
- Learning Method: Online
This virtual five-day workshop is open to high school students and offers courses in editing, writing, design, and management in media and communications. Students will have course options such as Newspaper Reporting & Writing, Design Concepts, News Redesign, and Editorial Leadership, and each course includes personal feedback and networking opportunities.
Columbia Engineering High School Coding Academy
- Discipline: Technology
- Learning Method: On-Campus
In this three-week front end coding immersion program, students will learn web technologies through a comprehensive curriculum. You can expect to learn HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. Since the program is project-based, you will have hands-on experience when it comes to programming.
Columbia University Academic Year Immersion
- Discipline: Law, Programming, Media
- Learning Method: Online
This online program offers coursework and community activities on the weekends for a ten-week period. It is highly selective, so you’ll need to demonstrate an excellent record in academics to be accepted. This program is a great opportunity to prepare you for college and gain connections, and you’ll receive a Columbia Certificate of Completion and evaluation letter.
Columbia University Science Honors Program
- Discipline: Math and Sciences
- Learning Method: On-campus
If you are a high school student with a strong interest in science and math, you should consider this on-campus learning program offered on Saturday mornings. This affordable but highly selective program features physical, biological, computing, and behavioral science courses taught by Columbia University research professionals.
Next Steps After Your Columbia Pre-College Program for High School Students
After you complete your Columbia program, you can research the various Columbia University majors and departments you may want to apply to for college. These career-shaping programs can provide courses and necessary academic credits that will be used in acquiring your college degree and will look great on your college application.
It’s often much easier for college students to graduate if they begin freshman year with an idea of the major and degree path they want to pursue. Consider registering for a degree program that aligns with the training, knowledge, and skills you received in your pre-college program.
Columbia Pre-College Programs for High School Students FAQ
If you are in high school and you value learning, gaining lifelong connections, acquiring skills through training, and participating in a unique student experience, Columbia summer programs are definitely worth it. You’ll be prepared for college and learn from world-class professors.
Certain Columbia programs are more competitive than others, so it is best to research the program you want to enroll in and make sure you fit their admissions criteria. Many Columbia programs require a GPA of 3.3 or higher, a letter of recommendation, and a written statement of purpose.
Yes, Columbia University provides summer programs for high school students. There are plenty of opportunities for high school students to familiarize themselves with the ropes of their future careers at Columbia. You should take advantage of these programs to get ahead of the curve.
The Columbia Immersion Program is an opportunity for high school students to gain college experience as they pursue their interests while living in New York City and studying at Columbia University. There are also immersion opportunities offered online.
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