Start thinking about your Fall 2018 by reading through the Academic Planning Guide online or by using the printed copy we mailed to you in June. It describes the Columbia College curriculum, as well your required classes and potential electives. In mid July, you should expect an email from the Berick Center for Student Advising (CSA) introducing you to your CSA adviser, who will help you plan and prepare for your first semester, field any questions you may have about life at Columbia and talk to you more generally about your academic and personal goals for your time here. Your CSA adviser will invite you to schedule an appointment during the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) in August, but is also available to meet before then by phone, Skype or in person to discuss any questions you may have before then.

Beyond meeting with your CSA adviser, thinking about potential schedules for the fall, you should rest and enjoy your summer! You’ve worked hard to get here, and we are excited to welcome you.

What are academics going to be like in my first year at Columbia?

The Core Curriculum not only provides the foundation for your academic life at Columbia, it also plays a large part in creating a sense of community on campus as you and your classmates all read the same books at the same time. Core classes are composed of small and diverse groups of students. They are discussion-based and aim to expose you to new ideas and different viewpoints, cultivate your oral and written communication and hone your critical thinking skills. The small, inclusive settings provided by the Core make Columbia College feel like a small, liberal arts college, even as it’s part of a big university system in a global city.

How accessible are professors?

Your small Core classes provide an intimate setting in which you and your professor can get to know one another. Additionally, all professors hold office hours outside of class and are available to discuss assignments, a topic of curiosity from class, a potential major in their field or anything else related to your academic interests. Your CSA adviser can also talk to you about approaching professors if it’s not something you’re entirely comfortable doing.

When will I find out who my adviser is?

You will receive an email in mid July that introduces you to your CSA adviser, who will be on hand during your entire time at Columbia to answer any questions — academic, co-curricular, personal — you may have about life here. Your assigned adviser will reach out soon thereafter to invite you to schedule an appointment during NSOP, at which you can get to know each other and start planning for the fall term.

Where will I get my books?

Many professors direct students to the Columbia University Bookstore, which is located in Lerner Hall, to buy their textbooks. Others may use different local bookstores. Your professors will provide information about required texts (along with particular editions and any other details) on a course syllabus, which you will receive on the first day of class.

How will I register for classes?

Your CSA adviser will help you think through and plan potential schedules for Fall 2018, and can also explain the registration processes when you meet during NSOP. You can best prepare for this meeting by reviewing the Academic Planning Guide and Columbia College Bulletin. You will sign up for classes at during your assigned registration windows, which will be listed under Reg Appts in your SSOL account.

Will I get credit for my APs/IBs/A Levels?

Columbia grants up to 16 credits from Advanced Placement (AP), GCE Advanced Level (A Levels), International Baccalaureate (IB) exams and some other national systems. In some cases, a test score can exempt you from a class. Review the Columbia College Bulletin for the description of policies, credits and/or exemptions. Once you arrive on campus, check with your CSA adviser to confirm that your official score reports are on file so that any credits or exemptions may be added to your record during the summer after your first year.

What can I do with my free time between classes?

You have lots of options! There are many dining halls and cafes, as well as lounges on campus that are great for breaks in your schedule. You can also make use of the time to study at Columbia’s extensive network of libraries. If your break is on the longer side, you may be able to fit in commitments to work study or other co-curricular activities.

Photo credits (top to bottom): (1) Berick Center for Student Advising, (2 and 3) Char Smullyan, (4) Berick Center for Student Advising, (5) Killian Young, (6) Berick Center for Student Advising, (7) Killian Young, (8) Gabe Gomez