Freshman Admission Requirements | Columbia College Chicago
Source: https://www.colum.edu/admissions/requirements/freshman.html
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:20
Freshman Admission Requirements | Columbia College Chicago
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Freshman
Transfer
Graduate
Second Bachelor's
Returning Students
Nondegree Seeking
Calling all entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, leaders, performers, communicators, and creatives...
Create your account or use an existing login to start your Columbia College Chicago application
APPLY using Columbia's application
Columbia College Chicago also accepts the Common Application
APPLY Through the common app
Apply as a
freshman student
if you have completed or expect to complete high school, home school, or a GED (called HiSET in some states) and
have not
earned college credit at a college or university before your first day at Columbia. This excludes dual enrollments, courses taken at Columbia College Chicago, and/or any post-secondary enrollment during the summer immediately following secondary school graduation or GED (or HiSET) completion.
If you have earned college credit at a college or university not covered by the exceptions listed above, please review the
Transfer Application Requirements
.
If you are you an international student who will require a visa to study in the United States, please follow the steps listed here, and review
this page for additional information
.
Need help along the way? We're here for you.
Find your assigned Columbia College Chicago Admissions Representitive using the map at the link below.
FIND YOUR ADMISSIONS REP
Important Dates and Deadlines
October 1, 2025: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at fafsa.gov. Submitting the FAFSA will help to maximize your access to all possible financial aid.
March 15, 2026: Priority Action Date for all applications. Apply by this date for full scholarship consideration!
The application deadline for the Acting for Stage and Screen (BFA); Comedy Writing and Performance (BFA); Musical Theatre (BFA); Performance and Songwriting (BMus) has passed. These programs have corresponding BA degrees for which the application is still available.
Common Applicants: Please factor in a 24-hour period for Common App to transfer your data to Columbia College Chicago
BA, BFA, BMus, and BS: What’s the difference?
Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs allow for greater flexibility and exploration within the curriculum. This includes the ability to tailor elective coursework beyond your major or add a minor. Around 90% of Columbia students are pursuing a BA degree.
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Music (BMus), and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs feature more intensive required coursework in the major with limited flexibility for electives.
Note that the Interior Architecture, BFA requires Freshman applicants to have a minimum high school GPA of 2.75 for admission.
A Note on Standardized Test Scores
Columbia College Chicago's admissions process is entirely test-free.
Standardized t
est scores will play no role in the college's determination of a student's admissibility, or in awarding merit-based scholarships.
After admission, students who have them are encouraged to submit results from Advanced Placement or International Baccaulaurate tests. Just list Columbia on your
College Board account
or talk to your school's IB diploma program coordinator about how to
send your scores
. Columbia grants credit for scores of 3 or higher on
AP exams
and 4 or higher on
IB exams
.
Learn More
Ready to apply? Follow these steps.
1. Submit your application.
Use the link above to Columbia’s application, or add Columbia as a school when you complete the
Common Application
. You can submit either application; please do not submit both.
2. Submit the following required items.
Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit their official high school transcripts to Columbia.
High School Applicant
: Ask your high school to send your most recent and/or final transcript.
GED Applicants
: Ask the testing agency to send an official copy of your GED test results, including your scores. Certificates of GED completion are not accepted.
Home School Applicants
: Ask your state-recognized home school to send an official copy of your home-school transcript.
International Applicants
Please see
this page
for more complete instructions.
How to Submit Transcripts
Ask your institution(s) to electronically transmit transcripts to Columbia College Chicago Admissions, or mail them to 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. All transcripts received by mail or in person must be in the original sealed envelope from the school.
We also accept transcripts—when sent directly from the institution—via email at
admissions@colum.edu
.
Writing Sample
Within the application, submit a writing sample in response to this prompt:
Please provide a short personal statement that outlines your goals for your enrollment at Columbia College Chicago. You may choose to write about development of your creative practice, progress toward your career objectives, improving specific skills, or your own personal growth.
The application will also have an optional section where you can provide additional information about items in your academic history that you might want to explain.
Application Fee
Columbia does not charge an application fee.
Portfolios | Auditions | Interviews
Portfolio, audition, and/or interview requirements can vary based on your intended major.
Students applying for BFA or BMus degrees are required to submit materials. Your submission will be considered for admission to the program as well as for the
Faculty Recognition Award
. Please
follow the guidelines
for your intended major. The submission deadline for
the Acting for Stage and Screen, BFA; Comedy Writing and Performance, BFA; Fashion Design, BFA; Musical Theatre, BFA; and Performance and Songwriting
(BMus) applicants is Monday, December 1, 2025. For all other BFA programs, the submission deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Portfolios or auditions are not required for BA or BS applicants, but it is to your advantage to submit materials. A submission is the only way to be considered for the
Faculty Recognition Award
. Please
follow the guidelines
for your intended major. The submission deadline for all BA or BS applicants is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Requirements & Deadlines:
Freshman
Graduate
Transfer
Second Bachelor's
Returning Students
Nondegree and Certificates
International
International Undergraduate Students
International Graduate Students
Test-Free Admissions
Visit Us:
Campus Visits
Getting to Columbia
Virtual Events
Campus Visits
Additional Information:
BFA/BMus Portfolio and Audition Requirements
Faculty Recognition Award Requirements
Admitted Students
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
Financial Aid
Admissions Timeline & Dates
Undergraduate Timeline
Graduate Timeline & Dates
Planning your Transfer
Veterans
First-Generation Students
International Admissions Staff
Transfer Admissions Staff
All Admissions Staff
Undocumented Applicants
Achieve Columbia
Summer at Columbia:
Summer at Columbia
Registration
Courses
FAQs
Educational Partnerships:
Columbia College Chicago and Illinois Tech Course Exchange Program
Columbia College Chicago and Lake Forest College Course Exchange Program
American Academy of Art
RE:ALIZE
Estimate your cost
Complete our net price calculator to calculate your cost.
Learn More
×
×
Ask Us
312-369-7130
Appointment
Request Info
Visit Us
Virtual Events
Campus Visits
Apply Now
Freshman
Transfer
Graduate
Second Bachelor's
Returning Students
Nondegree Seeking
Calling all entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, leaders, performers, communicators, and creatives...
Create your account or use an existing login to start your Columbia College Chicago application
APPLY using Columbia's application
Columbia College Chicago also accepts the Common Application
APPLY Through the common app
Apply as a
freshman student
if you have completed or expect to complete high school, home school, or a GED (called HiSET in some states) and
have not
earned college credit at a college or university before your first day at Columbia. This excludes dual enrollments, courses taken at Columbia College Chicago, and/or any post-secondary enrollment during the summer immediately following secondary school graduation or GED (or HiSET) completion.
If you have earned college credit at a college or university not covered by the exceptions listed above, please review the
Transfer Application Requirements
.
If you are you an international student who will require a visa to study in the United States, please follow the steps listed here, and review
this page for additional information
.
Need help along the way? We're here for you.
Find your assigned Columbia College Chicago Admissions Representitive using the map at the link below.
FIND YOUR ADMISSIONS REP
Important Dates and Deadlines
October 1, 2025: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at fafsa.gov. Submitting the FAFSA will help to maximize your access to all possible financial aid.
March 15, 2026: Priority Action Date for all applications. Apply by this date for full scholarship consideration!
The application deadline for the Acting for Stage and Screen (BFA); Comedy Writing and Performance (BFA); Musical Theatre (BFA); Performance and Songwriting (BMus) has passed. These programs have corresponding BA degrees for which the application is still available.
Common Applicants: Please factor in a 24-hour period for Common App to transfer your data to Columbia College Chicago
BA, BFA, BMus, and BS: What’s the difference?
Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs allow for greater flexibility and exploration within the curriculum. This includes the ability to tailor elective coursework beyond your major or add a minor. Around 90% of Columbia students are pursuing a BA degree.
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Music (BMus), and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs feature more intensive required coursework in the major with limited flexibility for electives.
Note that the Interior Architecture, BFA requires Freshman applicants to have a minimum high school GPA of 2.75 for admission.
A Note on Standardized Test Scores
Columbia College Chicago's admissions process is entirely test-free.
Standardized t
est scores will play no role in the college's determination of a student's admissibility, or in awarding merit-based scholarships.
After admission, students who have them are encouraged to submit results from Advanced Placement or International Baccaulaurate tests. Just list Columbia on your
College Board account
or talk to your school's IB diploma program coordinator about how to
send your scores
. Columbia grants credit for scores of 3 or higher on
AP exams
and 4 or higher on
IB exams
.
Learn More
Ready to apply? Follow these steps.
1. Submit your application.
Use the link above to Columbia’s application, or add Columbia as a school when you complete the
Common Application
. You can submit either application; please do not submit both.
2. Submit the following required items.
Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit their official high school transcripts to Columbia.
High School Applicant
: Ask your high school to send your most recent and/or final transcript.
GED Applicants
: Ask the testing agency to send an official copy of your GED test results, including your scores. Certificates of GED completion are not accepted.
Home School Applicants
: Ask your state-recognized home school to send an official copy of your home-school transcript.
International Applicants
Please see
this page
for more complete instructions.
How to Submit Transcripts
Ask your institution(s) to electronically transmit transcripts to Columbia College Chicago Admissions, or mail them to 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. All transcripts received by mail or in person must be in the original sealed envelope from the school.
We also accept transcripts—when sent directly from the institution—via email at
admissions@colum.edu
.
Writing Sample
Within the application, submit a writing sample in response to this prompt:
Please provide a short personal statement that outlines your goals for your enrollment at Columbia College Chicago. You may choose to write about development of your creative practice, progress toward your career objectives, improving specific skills, or your own personal growth.
The application will also have an optional section where you can provide additional information about items in your academic history that you might want to explain.
Application Fee
Columbia does not charge an application fee.
Portfolios | Auditions | Interviews
Portfolio, audition, and/or interview requirements can vary based on your intended major.
Students applying for BFA or BMus degrees are required to submit materials. Your submission will be considered for admission to the program as well as for the
Faculty Recognition Award
. Please
follow the guidelines
for your intended major. The submission deadline for
the Acting for Stage and Screen, BFA; Comedy Writing and Performance, BFA; Fashion Design, BFA; Musical Theatre, BFA; and Performance and Songwriting
(BMus) applicants is Monday, December 1, 2025. For all other BFA programs, the submission deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Portfolios or auditions are not required for BA or BS applicants, but it is to your advantage to submit materials. A submission is the only way to be considered for the
Faculty Recognition Award
. Please
follow the guidelines
for your intended major. The submission deadline for all BA or BS applicants is Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Requirements & Deadlines:
Freshman
Graduate
Transfer
Second Bachelor's
Returning Students
Nondegree and Certificates
International
International Undergraduate Students
International Graduate Students
Test-Free Admissions
Visit Us:
Campus Visits
Getting to Columbia
Virtual Events
Campus Visits
Additional Information:
BFA/BMus Portfolio and Audition Requirements
Faculty Recognition Award Requirements
Admitted Students
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
Financial Aid
Admissions Timeline & Dates
Undergraduate Timeline
Graduate Timeline & Dates
Planning your Transfer
Veterans
First-Generation Students
International Admissions Staff
Transfer Admissions Staff
All Admissions Staff
Undocumented Applicants
Achieve Columbia
Summer at Columbia:
Summer at Columbia
Registration
Courses
FAQs
Educational Partnerships:
Columbia College Chicago and Illinois Tech Course Exchange Program
Columbia College Chicago and Lake Forest College Course Exchange Program
American Academy of Art
RE:ALIZE
Estimate your cost
Complete our net price calculator to calculate your cost.
Learn More
×
×