Incoming Student FAQs

Read on for general Q&A, or skip down to the sections specifically for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs for All Incoming Students

I have non-academic questions about preparing for Columbia.
How do I purchase textbooks?

Students often purchase textbooks from the Columbia Bookstore or Book Culture.

I have AP/IB or other outside credit. How can I add that to my transcript?

Typically, AP/IB and other outside credit is added a student’s record the summer after they complete their first year at Columbia. Your advising dean will enter the appropriate credits for you based on any score reports you submitted to the University. Please consult the Academic Planning Guide to see if AP credit may place you into a higher level class or give exemption to a requirement.

Placement Exams: How do I know which level of a math, science, or language class to take?

Some placement exams are available online and others will be given during the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP). Please monitor the CSA's list of placement exams, which will be updated continually over the summer as information becomes available. You will find additional information about placement and possible exemption based on AP, IB, A-level and SAT II test scores in the Academic Planning Guide for your entering year.

What should I do if I do not like the time/day a class is offered?

Everyone has their ideal schedule and class time preferences. However, sometimes you have to take classes at a day or time that is not your first choice. You can certainly try to join the waitlist for a section that is more preferable. However, if you are not added to the class from the waitlist, consider taking the class at a different time. Who knows, that class could wind up being your favorite class!

What should I do if the class I want to take is full?
  • Don’t panic! During NSOP and once classes begin, it is likely that more spots will open up as all students finalize their schedules. The first two weeks of classes are known as the Change of Program period. You'll be able to add courses to your schedule during that time. 
  • You should check to see whether or not the course has a waitlist; if so, add yourself to the list.
  • If you still want to get into a class that is full, it is essential to attend the first class.
  • In case a seat does not open up, you should plan to attend the first class meetings of the next best options on your list. Twelve credits is the minimum required for all students. If you drop below 12 points, you risk being withdrawn from the term (except in your last term, when you are permitted to go below 12 points).
I plan to be pre-med. What classes should I take?

A sample schedule may include: General Chemistry I and Calculus I. Please consult the pre-med curriculum for more information. You should also attend the Pre-Health Workshop during the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP).

How do I know what classes are required for a program of study?

Please consult the CC Bulletin or SEAS Bulletin.

Where can I find a list of class offerings?

You may browse offerings by subject in the Directory of Classes, or search on Vergil.

Columbia College

Can I switch the order in which I take University Writing and Frontiers of Science?

To switch from Frontiers of Science to University Writing, students must submit a petition to the Undergraduate Writing Program by emailing english-cc1010-petitions@columbia.edu.

To switch from University Writing to Frontiers of Science, students must submit a petition to the Core office.

How do I change sections of University Writing?

University Writing sections cannot be changed in Vergil.  Requests must be submitted to the Undergraduate Writing Program by emailing english-cc1010-petitions@columbia.edu.

How do I change my section of Literature Humanities or Frontiers of Science?

If you would like to switch your Literature Humanities class or your Frontiers of Science discussion section due to a scheduling conflict, you can attempt to switch into a section with an opening using the change section function in Vergil during your first registration appointment or any subsequent registration appointment. 

If you are unable to switch sections on your own, you may submit a change request petition to the Core office at the start of the semester. More information about Core registration policies and petitions is available here.

I want to be a science major. What should I take?

Consult the requirements for your prospective major in the CC Bulletin. Students planning to study biology, chemistry, or physics should plan to take General Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus their first semester.

I’m not sure what I want to major in. Which classes should I take?

Take a variety of classes that interest you! Your first year is a great time to explore classes and to figure out what you are really passionate about. Peruse the Directory of Classes and the CC Bulletin, or search for classes that work with your schedule in VergilYou may also take classes that fulfill your core requirements, such as a foreign language, a Global Core class, or a class that fulfills the science requirement. Make sure to have back-up options in case your first-choice classes fill up.

I want to major in the humanities or social sciences. Which classes should I take?

Take courses in the subject matters of interest. For example, if you are interested in history, take some history classes that sound interesting. Typically, it is a good idea to take introductory classes at the1000- or 2000-level. Classes at the 3000- or 4000-level, especially seminars, are often taken by juniors and seniors who are more advanced in the subject matter.

I want to major in economics. What should I take?

A sample schedule for your first semester may include Principles of Economics and Calculus I or Calculus III.

What’s the difference between majors, minors, and concentrations?

Columbia College students who matriculated in or after Fall 2024 are required to complete the requirements for a major. Students may also select additional programs of study such as minors or "special concentrations." Students may not declare more than two majors, or more than three total programs of study.

Please refer to the Academic Requirements section of the Columbia College Bulletin for more information about majors, minors and special programs.

Students who matriculated in Fall 2023 or before are eligible to complete a concentration (but not a special concentration) in place of a major.

Columbia Engineering

Can I change the order in which I take Art of Engineering and University Writing?

No.  You must take these classes in the order in which they are assigned to you.  

 
I’m a SEAS student. What classes should I take my first semester?

All first-semester SEAS students will be pre-registered for University Writing OR Art of Engineering. You should also plan to take General Chemistry; the appropriate level of Calculus; Physics; and one other class in consultation with the Academic Planning Guide and the SEAS Bulletin.

James H. and Christine Turk Berick Center for Student Advising

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