Application Process

General Information

Have you attended a virtual information session? Please do so before applying to learn more about the application process.

Please note that you may apply to only one program, (online or on-campus, not both) at Columbia Engineering per term. If you begin an application for an on-campus program (SEAS), but decide to apply to an online program (CVN) instead, you must contact SEAS to have your application switched to CVN to avoid receiving an error message ("There are no application types currently available") in the application portal. The email for SEAS is [email protected].

Application Deadline

Please note:  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once a completed application has been received, it will be processed and given to the Admissions Committee for review. Applications will be considered for the next upcoming semester's admissions cycle. We recommend applying at least two months before the semester you would like to begin your studies. For example, to begin in Spring 2024, you should submit your application by mid- November 2023. Our most current Academic Calendar can be found under the "Current Students" tab. Only completed applications will be submitted to the Admissions Committee for review. 

APPLY NOW for all MS, DES, Certification or non-degree programs. 

 

Required Materials for Non-Degree Application

  • Copies of transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary colleges/universities. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application.  If given an offer of admission you will be required to send official transcripts.
  • Personal/Professional Statement - a 250 - 1000 word essay outlining your academic and professional goals and how our programs will help you reach them.
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • No application fee
  • Decision issued in two weeks

 

Required Materials for Certificate Application

  • Three recommendation letters 
  • Copies of transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary colleges/universities. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application.  If given an offer of admission you will be required to send official transcripts.
  • Personal/Professional Statement - a 250 - 1000 word essay outlining your academic and professional goals and how our programs will help you reach them.
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
  • $85 application fee
  • Decision issued in four weeks

 

Required Materials for MS and DES Degree Application

  • GRE General Test (waived for 2023 and 2024)
  • Three recommendation letters 
  • Copies of transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary colleges/universities. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application.  If given an offer of admission you will be required to send official transcripts.
  • Personal/Professional Statement - a 250 - 1000 word essay outlining your academic and professional goals and how our programs will help you reach them.
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
  • (If applicable, see English Language Proficiency) The TOEFL (minimum score of 100),  IELTS (minimum score of 7), PTE Academic test (minimum score of 69), or Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 120) 
  • (If applicable) Transfer credit section of the application 
  • Name of a potential faculty advisor (DES applicants only)
  • $85 Application Fee
  • Decision will be issued in 10 weeks

 

English Language Proficiency TOEFL,  IELTS, PTE Academic test, or Duolingo English Test

  • Applicants who earned their undergraduate/graduate degree in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the United States of America must submit an official score from an approved English language proficiency exam. This requirement applies to applicants from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries, and most countries in Africa.
  • Applicants must complete the English Language Requirement tab to determine if an official score from either the TOEFL iBT - including TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic Test, or Duolingo English Test will be required with their application. Only one English language test is required.
  • Applicants who transferred from or have combined/joint program degrees from an institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the United States of America, are also required to submit one of the English language tests with their application.
  • An exception will be made for applicants who have earned or will complete a Master's degree in the United States before enrollment, in this case the applicant is not required to submit English language proficiency exam scores for admission.
  • Current Columbia Engineering graduate students enrolled in a degree program who are applying again to another degree program do not have to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. 
  • The Columbia Engineering code is 2111 (not 2162, which belongs to the Graduate School of Arts and Science).

Transcripts

  • Transcripts from each college/university you have attended or are currently attending must be submitted with the MS, Certification, Nondegree, and Doctoral applications.  Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the application.  Once admitted to CVN, you will be required to submit official transcripts.
  • Credits which appear as transfer credits on any other transcript are not valid; a transcript from the school where the credits were earned must be submitted.
  • Students who have previously or are currently enrolled at Columbia University must request that copies of their transcripts be sent to Columbia Video Network at 500 W 120th Street, 540 Mudd MC 4719,  New York, NY 10027.
  • All materials submitted in support of an application, whether official or unofficial, become the property of Columbia University and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to other schools or agencies. Since your documents will not be returned, we suggest that you keep copies of any documents you may need for your personal records.

Personal/Professional Statement

The personal/professional statement is an essay that serves as both a writing sample and an opportunity to discuss who you are and why you are a good fit for our programs. A wide range of topics-- including background information, descriptions of professional experiences or important personal choices, and reflections on life-- may be addressed in the essay. Ideally, applicants should reveal qualities demonstrative of their intelligence, compassion, good judgment, energy, leadership, communicative ability, self-awareness, commitment, motivation and integrity. It should be roughly 250 -1000 words.

Application Fee

  • An application fee of $85 is required for Masters, Certification and Doctoral applicants 
  • The Graduate Student Services Office will only process applications that are submitted with an application fee. The processing fee is non-refundable. Please make the check payable to: Columbia Video Network.
  • Application fee waivers are available to active U.S. Military personnel and Veterans. Email [email protected] to request a waiver of your application fee.

Application Tips

  • Submit Your Application Via the Correct Portal  Applications must be submitted via the CVN application portal. The CVN application portal is similar to the SEAS (on-campus) program, however, the CVN site lists our three semesters (Spring, Summer, and Fall).  If applications are submitted to the incorrect program, you will be required to complete a brand new application so please check beforehand to be sure. 
  • Follow Up with Your Recommenders  Only complete applications, including letters of recommendation, will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.  Therefore, follow up with your recommenders to ensure that their letters of recommendation have been submitted. Admissions decisions are issued approximately 8 weeks after your last letter of recommendation has been received. 

Applications for more than one degree program cannot be processed simultaneously.

For answers to application questions, please review our FAQ page, or contact the CVN Records Team at (212) 854-6447.

Columbia University

Columbia Video Network
Attn: Graduate Admissions
500 West 120th Street
540 MUDD, MC: 4719
New York, NY 10027 

Please keep a copy of all materials that you submit to CVN for your own records. We prefer that application materials be submitted online.  If you are unable to submit application materials online, CVN suggests that you submit your application materials by courier service to track your shipment.