The Columbia University Science Honors Program

Application Procedure

Columbia University Science Honors Program

2019-2020 Academic Year

The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for students who have a strong interest in science and mathematics. Classes are held at Columbia from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Applicants for the 2019-2020 school year must now be in the eleventh, tenth, or ninth grade and must apply online. The program is available only to students who attend high schools in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut and who live within a 75-mile radius of the Columbia campus.

Application Requirements

• A completed online application, including a report of high school grades and an essay describing one's interest and background in science and mathematics.
• An official high school transcript, to be mailed directly to the SHP by the student's high school.
• An online letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal.
• A $30 non-refundable fee to cover the costs of application processing and test administration.

Entrance Examination

As part of the application process, there will also be a 3-hour entrance examination given at Columbia University. There are two scheduled Saturday dates for the entrance examination in the spring of 2019: April 6 and April 27. Students will be asked to indicate their preferred examination date; however, the SHP cannot guarantee that a student will receive his/her first choice. The examination will be from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The test will contain questions in mathematics and science. Students are expected to have a background in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and probability, together with some knowledge of elementary science subjects. No special studying or review is needed for the examination.

Application Deadline

The deadline for SHP receipt of the completed online application is 11:59 PM on February 28, 2019. The $30 fee payment, whether by credit card or check, must also be received by the SHP by February 28, 2019. No applications will be accepted after this date.

Mailed official transcripts and online letters of recommendation must be received by the SHP no later than March 15, 2019.

Online Application

The SHP online application can be accessed at:

https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=COL-SHP

Important Dates

• Deadline for completed application and fee payment: February 28, 2019.
• Personal test admission ticket available online: March 15, 2019.
• Deadline for SHP's receipt of mailed official transcripts and online recommendations: March 15, 2019.
• Entrance examination dates: Either April 6, 2019 or April 27, 2019.
• Notification of admission decisions: available by June 19, 2019.