College Edge: Academic Year

College Edge: Academic Year is a Columbia University pre-college program that lets high school juniors and seniors take real Columbia undergraduate courses for college credit during the fall or spring semester. Students choose classes from a pre-approved list and sit alongside Columbia undergraduates on the Morningside campus in New York City. Participants also receive academic advising and can join workshops on college preparation, leadership and career skills. The Spring 2027 term runs January 19 to May 14, 2027. Students may continue for up to four terms, with a cap of 30 credits. Columbia does not provide housing for this program, so students commute or live with supervising family. For 2026-2027, tuition is $2,672 per credit point, and a typical three-point course costs $8,016. Admitted students pay a $1,000 deposit that counts toward tuition.

Open to domestic high school students in grades 11 or 12 who remain enrolled in their secondary school throughout the program. Applicants need a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA, high school transcripts, a 600-800 word statement of purpose, a graded writing sample, and two recommendations (one from a school counselor or principal, one from a teacher in a related subject). The application fee rises from $80 to $95 starting Spring 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once all materials arrive, and the Spring 2027 application deadline is December 2, 2026.