APPLICATION STEPS
1. Create and complete an online application.
2. Enter contact information for recommenders. AAD requires three letters of recommendation.
3. Upload a personal statement into the application. This may not be changed or updated after submission.
4. Upload a resume into the application. This may not be changed or updated after submission.
5. Upload scanned or digital copies of academic transcripts for each university attended and credit earned, including certified English translations (if applicable).
6. Send TOEFL score report to Columbia GSAPP (International students only). Please find our institution codes here.
7. Submit online application and fee ($75 USD, payable only by VISA or MasterCard).

8. Upload a pdf copy (20 pages or less; not to exceed 50 MB) of your portfolio to the online application. Portfolios must be uploaded when the application is submitted.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Three letters of recommendation are required for all degree program applicants. GSAPP does not have a special form for letters of recommendation. Recommenders may scan and upload recommendation letters to the online application. Letters received directly from applicants will not be accepted.
One letter of recommendation is required for New York/Paris program applicants and Visiting Scholars. Non-degree program applicants (including Introduction to Architecture and Special Students) may include recommendations but they are not required.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & RESUME / CV
A personal statement is required for admission to each program (with the exception of Introduction to Architecture). In approximately 500 words, describe your background, your past work in your intended field of study and your plans for graduate study and a professional career. Resumes or CVs are required for all degree applicants and CVs are required for Visiting Scholar applicants. These documents should be uploaded into the online application before submission. After the application deadline, these documents may not be changed or updated, applicants should plan accordingly. TRANSCRIPTS

An academic transcript/record from each university attended and credit earned is required for all applicants. All transcripts must be received by the application deadline. Applicants should upload a digital copy or scan of their transcript/s to the online application. We allow digital copies of transcripts for review purposes only. Once admitted, students will be required to submit official copies of their transcripts by the start of program. PORTFOLIO A digital portfolio is required for admission to the M. ARCH, M.S. AAD, M.S. AUD, and M.S. CCCP* programs. The digital portfolio should be in a single PDF document, 20 PDF pages or less (including the cover page), and should not exceed 50 MB. The digital portfolio should be optimized for viewing on a standard size computer screen. Digital portfolios must be uploaded at the time the application is submitted. Portfolios should contain reproductions of original drawings, prints, graphic design, or sculpture.

*M.S. CCCP applicants have the option of submitting writing and/or visual material (see M.S. CCCP admissions requirements for more information).
DIGITAL FILE SPECIFICATIONS
Supporting documents should be saved as a PDF, sized to US standard letter paper (8.5 x 11”). Supporting documents should be verified for legibility before submission.
If your institution provides you with e-transcripts, please ensure that they are not in the "PDF Portfolio" format. If your transcript is a PDF Portfolio, please extract the individual files from the portfolio and send them as a regular PDF. Instructions on PDF Portfolio extraction can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/component-files-pdf-portfolio.html
STANDARDIZED TESTS
GRE
Applicants to the M. ARCH, M.S. HP, M.S. UP, M.S. CCCP, and M.S. RED* programs must take the GRE.
Applicants should contact ETS to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office via Institution Code 2164. GRE scores are valid for five years after the test date. At this time there is no minimum required GRE score for admission.
GMAT
Applicants to the M.S. RED program may submit GMAT scores in lieu of GRE scores. At this time there is no minimum required GMAT score for admission.
Applicants should contact GMAC to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office via Institution Code: QF8-73-53. GMAT scores are valid for five years after the test date.
TOEFL
All applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores (with the exception of Introduction to Architecture applicants). At this time there is no minimum TOEFL score required for admission.
International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an English-speaking institution may waive the TOEFL exam requirement provided they can submit relevant transcripts.
Applicants should contact ETS to have official test scores sent to the GSAPP Admissions Office via Institution Code 2164, Dept. Code 12. TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date.
We do not accept the TOEFL ITP. We do not accept the IELTS in lieu of the TOEFL.
APPLICATION STATUS
Applicants may check the status of their application after submission by logging into the online application with their password. Our admissions staff manually checks each application before the status is updated online. Applicants should allow two business days for their application status to be updated, and should not call or email the admissions office during that time.
ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS
Applicants should carefully review program-specific admissions requirements. Admissions questions not answered on the website should be directed to arch_admissions@columbia.edu.