Congratulations on your admission to Columbia!
Anticipated 2023-2024 Class Overview
- Students in the full-time Master of Science program, including the Dual Degree with Computer Science, hail from 29 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The top states represented among the class are New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Texas. In addition, 40 percent of the students are international, representing 33 countries, with the largest number holding citizenship from China, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. This year, 78 percent of those in the M.S. class are women, and 22 percent are men, with a select number of individuals identifying as nonbinary.
- Nearly all part-time Master of Science students are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The part-timers reside from seven states with the top states being New York and California along with Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas and Nevada. Of this cohort, 73 percent are female and 27 percent male.
- In the Master of Arts class, 55 percent of students are international, representing 19 countries, led by the United Kingdom, Italy and Brazil. U.S. citizens come from 12 different states, and the top represented states are New York, Pennsylvania and California. Seventy-five percent of those in the M.A. class are women, and 25 percent are men.
- In the M.S. in Data Journalism, 86 percent of students are international, representing 15 different countries, led by India, China, Nigeria, Chile and Taiwan. Seventy percent of those in the M.S. Data class are women, and 30 percent are men.
- Of the four students admitted to the Ph.D. in Communications, three are U.S. citizens, and one is international. Three students in this year's doctoral class are female and one male.
- Of the U.S. citizens and permanent residents in the 2023-24 class who chose to identify, 45 percent identify as African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American and/or Pacific Islander.
International Students
Leaving the comforts of home can be a challenge. Add to that the pressure of applying for the correct student visa and it can feel a bit overwhelming. That’s why the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) of Columbia University has developed an online guide just for you that covers everything from securing your visa, to making the most of your time in the U.S.. to understanding your Optional Practical Training after graduation, including the potential for the Data Journalism degree students to apply for the STEM degree extension. The ISSO website is designed to help international students meet the challenges of studying abroad and help you enjoy living and learning in New York City.
New Student Checklist
You must complete the following tasks before you arrive on campus.
IMPORTANT: In order to get your Columbia University ID card or purchase a Journalism School Press Pass, you will need to take two high resolution digital passport-style photos as soon as possible.
- The photo should be a color JPEG file.
- The background should be uniform and light-colored.
- You must be facing forward with your head and shoulders clearly visible.
- No photos with sunglasses or hats.
- The file cannot exceed 100K in size for the Columbia University ID card and must be 300 dpi for the Journalism School Press Pass.
Submit Official Transcripts of Previous Academic Work: You will need to submit official academic transcripts of your previous academic work to Columbia Journalism School. An official transcript is one that comes directly from the university or through a credentials verification service. If you submitted the transcript yourself, it is not official. You must have official transcripts from every university you have attended (including undergraduate schools, graduate schools, non-degree programs, and study abroad programs), without exception, sent to Columbia Journalism School by no later than July 1.
If you already had your official transcripts sent to Columbia Journalism School during the initial application process or prior to deferring to this year, you do not need to have them sent again.
Please review the official transcript submission methods and use the one most appropriate for you.
Locate and activate your Columbia email address: Once your $1,000 electronic enrollment fee has been received, your UNI, which also serves as your Columbia email address, is generated. Please allow seven to 10 business days for your information to be updated in the system. Follow these instructions to activate your Columbia UNI and email address.
Once you’ve activated your email account, it will take 24 hours before you can actually use it. Access your Columbia email, a version of Gmail called LionMail.
Other helpful links:
- Additional email support
- Logging in for the first time
- Mobile device setup
- LionMail FAQ
- Primary CUIT LionMail Web Portal
Get your Columbia University ID: CUIT has developed a secure web service for students to upload and submit a photo online for their first University ID card. Find out how to submit your photo. It is required that all students starting in the fall semester submit their photo no later than June 15.
Complete Pre-Orientation Tutorials: Every incoming student must complete two required tutorials that introduce important University policies and valuable student resources. Each tutorial takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. For students admitted for the Fall semester, you will receive access to Pre-Orientation in mid-summer. The deadline to complete the Pre-Orientation Tutorials is TBA.
Complete the Journalism School’s Emergency Contact Form.
Certify your meningitis vaccination decision: Record your meningococcal (meningitis) vaccination decision.
Submit your MMR Form: Complete the Columbia University Measles, Mumps and Rubella form and submit it to the Health Immunization Compliance Office. For all students starting in the fall semester, the MMR form must be submitted no later than June 15.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REGISTER OR COME TO CAMPUS UNTIL THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED!
Confirm enrollment or submit a waiver request for health insurance: Columbia University requires all registered full-time domestic students to have health insurance.
Full-time domestic students must confirm enrollment in the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan (The Columbia Plan) or request a waiver at least two weeks prior to the open enrollment deadline (June 15 for part-time students beginning in August, Sept. 30 for fall enrollment, and Feb. 15 for spring enrollment. To request a waiver, you must document enrollment in another plan that meets the University’s coverage criteria. Instructions on how to submit a waiver request on the Patient Portal are online. Waiver requests are considered, but approval is not guaranteed.
Part-time domestic students are encouraged, but not required, to have health insurance. Part-time domestic students can opt to enroll in the Columbia Plan.
All international students (full-time and part-time) are required to enroll in the Columbia Plan to ensure that they have access to the highest quality of care both on-and off-campus while studying in the United States. On a limited case-by-case basis, international students may be considered for an exception to the insurance requirement. Details on eligibility and requirements are found on the Columbia Health website.
Student Account Statement: Review your Student Account Statement. Please be sure that you have paid your bill to avoid the $150 late payment charge. Once the statement is available, an alert will be sent to your Columbia email address. The payment deadline for the summer is mid-June and for the fall is mid-September. For further information, you can review the Columbia billing schedule here.
Direct Deposit: Sign up for Direct Deposit through Student Services Online (SSOL) to have scholarship and financial aid refunds deposited directly into your bank account.
Dining Services: Sign up for an optional Dining Plan or purchase "Dining Dollars" or a Flex account. PLEASE NOTE: The University Dining Plan is NOT mandatory and is rarely used by Journalism School students.
Text Message Enrollment: Register your mobile number to receive important and emergency communications from Columbia University.
Financial planning: It is important to begin thinking about how you will finance your graduate school education. See the Federal Financial Aid and Journalism Scholarships section for more details.
Complete an online application for a visa certificate (International Students Only): It may take up to 10 weeks to process your visa. Please fill out the application for the ISSO Visa Certificate. See the International Students section for more details.
Apply for Housing: If you are interested in applying for graduate student housing, see the Housing section for more details. International students should apply for on-campus housing as soon as possible, as it can be extremely difficult to secure housing after you arrive.
Disability Services: Disability Services facilitates equal access for students with disabilities by coordinating accommodations and support services. Disability Services supports all types of conditions including physical and learning disabilities to chronic illnesses or injuries. Disability Services helps with assistive technology, e-text, housing accommodations, learning specialists, exam proctoring and more. To register and learn more
Join Your Class Facebook Group For the Latest News & Events
Technology Guide
Greetings from the technology staff at the J-school. We oversee the computers, cameras, recorders and related gear that you’ll be using during your time here. In this letter, we’ll describe what we have on hand for your use and what you need to bring with you. We’ll also give suggestions for those of you who want to acquire cameras and other optional equipment, and we’ll tell you how to obtain a student discount when making your purchases. The information below outlines 2023-2024 technology guidelines for your reference.
Required
An external hard drive that meets these minimum specifications:
- USB-C, USB 3.0 and/or Thunderbolt connections
- 1TB or more recommended for students enrolled in digital media (video, audio) classes
- Speed of 7200 RPM (the speed is very important for students who are taking video)
An SD, SDHC or SDXC card. We recommend a card rated UHS Speed Class U3 or higher (UHS Speed Class U3 is necessary for video).
Strongly Recommended
Smartphone
- (iPhone or Android) Details below
Laptop computer
- Specifications depend on how much multimedia you plan to do; details below
Optional
If you plan to pursue photojournalism, you may wish to bring a digital SLR camera with the following minimum requirements:
- Records in standard formats — .jpg, .tiff, RAW (no proprietary software required)
- At least 10 megapixels
- Offers full manual controls
- Records to removable flash media
(For a list of specific models that meet these requirements, see below.)
Computers & External Hard Drives
The J-School expects students to bring their own devices to school, and will provide students with all editing software, such as Adobe Premiere, Audition, and Photoshop, that is needed during their tenure.
If you don't have a laptop, you may be able to check one out from our equipment room. That said, there is no guarantee that a computer will be available every time you need one, so we strongly recommend that you bring a laptop computer if at all possible.
The minimum specifications are listed on the link below. That way, you can work anywhere: in the field, at home, in spaces inside the school that don’t have computers, and in the nice weather on the sunny steps of our building.
Free wireless access is available throughout the Journalism School and the Columbia campus. If you wish to plug your laptop into one of our available monitor workstations, then you will also need the proper adapters for HDMI, thunderbolt, USB-C or display port.
If you’re planning on buying a laptop, think first about what you hope to do while you’re here; the medium(s) you plan to pursue should dictate the specifications of your laptop.
To learn more, download the school's Technology Guide.
Orientation & Start Dates
Please note that orientation attendance is mandatory. Dates are subject to change.
International M.S./Data/SEAS Students
- Orientation: Tuesday, August 15
All M.S./Data/Seas Students
- Orientation: Wednesday, August 16 & Thursday, August 17
- Classes begin: Friday, August 18th
- Fall Prep Day: Friday, September 1
International M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Students
- Orientation: Wednesday, August 30
All M.A./Ph.D./Spencer Students
- Orientation: Thursday, August 31 & Friday, September 1
- Classes begin: Tuesday, September 5
Federal Financial Aid & Journalism Scholarship
The Financial Information Guide has been created to guide you through the Financial Aid process.
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Admitted students who have submitted a 2023-2024 FAFSA and the Journalism School Scholarship Aid Form by the January 15 deadline will be considered for journalism scholarships and other federal aid. Until these forms are submitted the Journalism School cannot award scholarships or Federal loans. If you have any questions about your FAFSA or your federal loan eligibility, please call the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 212-854-8608.
Federal Loan Documents
- BUDGET INCREASE For students who have documentation of a higher Cost of Attendance (COA)
-
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an amount used to determine your maximum financial aid eligibility for an academic year. The COA consists of standard school expenses (tuition, fees, and books) and an estimate of a student's standard living expenses (housing, food, transportation, and other expenses). Each student's financial needs are different, so the estimated COA may not accurately reflect the student's circumstances. Federal regulations permit the financial aid office, on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation, to increase the COA for educational-related expenses incurred during the current academic year. Examples can include higher costs due to rent, medically required dietary restrictions, disability-related expenses, etc. The following form can be submitted if you have documentation that you have a higher COA: BUDGET INCREASE.
Federal regulations provide financial aid administrators with the authority to use their discretion or professional judgment on a case-by-case basis and with proper documentation to adjust the data elements used on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a student’s dependency status, or the Cost of Attendance. The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to override a school's professional judgment decision.
Please note that a professional judgment review does not guarantee additional funding, federal or otherwise.
-
- CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTATION For students who need to submit further documentation
- FERPA (Federal Rights and Privacy Act) Students who wish to allow admissions and financial aid staff to discuss personal information with someone besides the student must complete this form.
- FEDERAL GRADUATE PLUS LOAN For students who would like a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
- FEDERAL LOAN RETURN For students who would like to return loan funds
- SOCIAL SECURITY CARD Students can submit their SSN card if needed for verification
- YELLOW RIBBON For students who are eligible for this military benefit
Housing
Columbia University has limited housing for full-time graduate students around the Morningside Heights campus. Please note: students admitted from the waitlist are ineligible to apply for Columbia University Housing. Please see the Housing Memo HERE for additional information. The deadline to apply for housing is April 15.
Additional Housing Information and Resources
International House (I-House) Residence: International House is a privately owned student residence near the campus that provides housing to students from various universities and colleges in the area. Get complete details on the International House resources and the housing availability at I-House.
Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA): OCHA provides an online housing registry of room-share and apartments in non-Columbia owned buildings located in the New York City area (mostly surrounding Columbia University). Only students who have accepted our admissions offer (by submitting their $1,000 fee) and activated their Columbia ID (UNI) are permitted to use the website. You will be provided with the full details and website information once you have submitted your acceptance and deposit to the Admissions Office. See more housing search resources.
Enrollment Response Form & Fee
The enrollment response form can be found on your Applicant Status page in the online application system or in your admissions letter.
The enrollment fee can be paid by credit card using a Visa or MasterCard by the deadline indicated in your admission letter. Our system does not accept Discover or American Express.
Public Safety Security Report
Columbia University prepares an annual security report, which is available to all current and prospective employees and students. The report includes statistics for the three previous years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Columbia University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters.
You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the director of Administration and Planning, Public Safety at 212-854-3815 or view it here.
Course Registration
- Online, self-registration is not available for Journalism School courses
- Journalism School students (M.A., Ph.D., Knight Bagehot) who take classes elsewhere at Columbia will have registration appointments in SSOL and will receive instructions on how to use the system.
- M.S. students will receive instructions on submitting course preference ballots and the Office of Student Life will register you for your classes.
- Incoming part-time M.S. students will be pre-registered for their fall REPORTING class, no action required
- Incoming full-time M.S. students will be pre-registered for their fall REPORTING class, their JOURNALISM ESSENTIALS classes, and the MASTER'S PROJECT.
- Incoming M.S. in Data Journalism students will be pre-registered for their fall courses; no action required.
- Incoming Dual Degree Journalism and Computer Science students will be preregistered for their Journalism School courses in the same manner as full-time M.S. students. They should contact their advisors for SEAS classes.
- Incoming M.A. students will be preregistered for all of their internal Journalism School courses. They will receive information in early August about how to register for their outside courses.
- Incoming Ph.D. students should email Chanel Roche, Associate Director of Student Services. Detailed information and instructions on all of this will be circulated via email in early to mid-June.
Deferral Policy
Columbia Journalism School does not offer automatic deferrals of admission, and deferrals of any kind are not commonly granted. It is expected that admitted students enroll for the year to which they applied. Formal requests are considered by the Admissions Committee on a case-by-case basis under very limited circumstances. No deferrals are granted due to a conflicting job opportunity, desire to pursue another educational program or a lack of financial resources. Should a deferral be granted, submission of the enrollment fee is required in order to secure a space in the class and would be valid for only one year.
Questions may be directed to [email protected].