Columbia University Pre-College Programs Empowering Change: An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

Rising 9th graders through current 12th graders can apply, from the US or abroad, and seniors can take the course the summer after they graduate. Living on campus has an extra age rule: you must be at least 15 and turn 16 by 31 December 2027. Commuting is also open to students entering their first year of college, but commuters must live with a family member or family friend while they attend, never in a hotel or Airbnb.

Columbia calls admission selective and says it looks for academically exceptional, motivated students, but it sets no minimum GPA, doesn't ask for SAT or ACT scores and doesn't publish an acceptance rate. You're judged on an unofficial transcript, a recommendation from a current teacher, a second one from your school counselor or an administrator, and answers to two short-response questions. English test scores aren't required, but Columbia expects English at the level of 90 on the internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS, because classes run on fast-paced discussion.

This course meets Monday to Friday from 11:10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 3:10 to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, so your long break for lunch and activities falls between 1:00 and 3:10 p.m. Expect an hour or two of homework most nights on top of that.

If you live on campus, breakfast runs from 7:30 a.m. with an optional fitness activity, and Columbia's sample schedule fills 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with dinner plus cultural outings, college workshops or, on Fridays, a special event. Curfew is 11 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Commuters can join evening programming such as Master Class Moments and college workshops if it ends before 6:30 p.m., should leave campus by then from Monday to Thursday, and can stay for Friday evening events with a parent's permission.

Living on campus costs $12,838 for the three-week session, which covers your room, three meals a day and Columbia's activities, health services and technology fees. Commuting costs $6,381 and covers the same fees but no meal plan, although commuters can buy food in the dining halls. Columbia calls both figures estimates that still need its Board of Trustees' approval.

On top of either price come a nonrefundable $95 application fee, about $50 for books and materials, and your travel, since Columbia doesn't arrange airport pickups. This course isn't on Columbia's list of courses with extra fees. You'll also need medical insurance that covers you in the US, because Columbia doesn't sell a plan. The full balance is due by 11 June 2027, and paying by card adds 2.85% for domestic cards or 4.25% for international ones.

The deposit, $3,500 residential or $2,000 commuter, counts toward the total but is never refunded. Withdraw by 24 June 2027 for Summer A or 15 July 2027 for Summer B and you get everything else back, but after that you owe the full amount.

Need-based financial aid covers 25% to 50% of the program cost, though not the fees, and it's only for commuters who are US citizens or permanent residents living in the US or its territories. You have to request it in your application before you submit, the aid deadline is 10 February 2027, and awards go out while the money lasts. Residential students can't get aid.

Residential students have one staff member for every six students, with live-in Resident Assistants who complete two weeks of training and professional Resident Directors on call around the clock. Public Safety guards staff residence hall entrances 24 hours a day, students may only be on their own floor or suite, and Columbia dismisses anyone who breaks curfew. Off campus, students must stay between 110th and 120th Streets and between Amsterdam Avenue and Riverside Park unless staff are with them, and Columbia recommends going out with a buddy.

Instructors pass background checks and Protection of Minors training, and program staff are New York State mandated reporters. Students and parents sign Columbia's Student Conduct and Community Standards, which Columbia enforces strictly, normally with dismissal on a first offense. Families arrange their own travel to campus, since there's no airport pickup.

If you complete the course, you get a Columbia University Certification of Participation and an evaluation letter from your instructor, usually by mid-October, uploaded to your online account. There are no grades. The letter comments on your effort, participation, assignments, progress and potential in the field, and Columbia suggests asking your school counselor to add both documents to their recommendation.

Attendance decides whether you get the certificate at all. Miss more than two classes in a three-week session and you lose it, even if the absences are excused, and because this course meets twice a day, missing one session counts as missing a day. Students dismissed for conduct or plagiarism get neither document.

You apply through Columbia's summer programs application, which admits you to the residential or commuter program rather than to this course, so a place in it isn't guaranteed.

1. 1

   Choose residential or commuter and Summer A or B, and list this course among your top two courses of interest.

2. 2

   Gather your unofficial transcript and add your teacher and school counselor as recommenders, who get an email with Columbia's form.

3. 3

   Submit the application with the $95 fee by 1 February 2027 for early registration, or by 1 March 2027 (residential) or 1 April 2027 (commuter) at the latest.

4. 4

   Expect a decision by email about 3 to 5 weeks after your application is complete.

5. 5

   Pay the non-refundable deposit, then submit your enrollment forms and proof of immunization.

6. 6

   Register for the course yourself once your holds are lifted, with early registration from 3 March 2027 and general registration from 17 March 2027, keeping a backup choice because full courses have no waitlist.