Admission requirements for each program are outlined in the Pre-Career and Professional Programs sections of this calendar. In most cases, admission to College programs is on a first-approved, first-admitted basis.
To be admitted to Columbia, an applicant must:
- Meet specific program requirements as outlined in the calendar and write an academic assessment.
or must
- Qualify for Mature Student status (see details below regarding Mature Student Status).
NOTE: Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide an acceptable TOEFL score or have passed an approved English course.
Mature Student Status
An applicant who does not possess a high school diploma or the required high school courses may be considered for admission as a mature student if he/she:
- is 18 years of age prior to the date of registration;
- has submitted a completed application to his/her program of choice;
- has achieved an acceptable mark on a Columbia College assessment
This method of admission will only be used when the College believes the mature student will perform as well academically in the program as students who have met the full academic requirements of the program.
Students with Disabilities
Columbia College welcomes all learners. If a disability has been identified, please contact the Admissions Advisor who will assist the student in the application and registration process. Accommodations and supports will be considered as required by the student.
Oversubscription
When a Columbia program is oversubscribed (receives more applications than spaces available), only a portion of the applicants can be accommodated. Prospective students may be placed on a waiting list.
The offer of admission indicates the start date and the conditions of the offer, if any. The College will assist applicants in completing their financial assistance documents if required.
Note: Once an applicant has been offered a seat in a program session, has accepted the seat and paid his/her registration fee, the applicant is considered a student of the program. If the student chooses not to attend the session he/she was originally registered in, the registration fee is forfeited. The same student may request to advance his/her file to the next semester start date without penalty. Registration fees cannot be forwarded beyond one academic term.
Qualified applicants who are not accepted for the current start date may have their current application information carried forward to the next session start date.
Applicants not admitted to the program of their choice may be advised to upgrade their educational background or attend to other personal areas needing attention.
Admitted students are advised to review the information regarding transportation, residence, daycare, and medical coverage in this calendar.
Provisional Admission
All students are considered to be on temporary or provisional admission until they have met all admission requirements. Once a student has submitted the required documentation and met all requirements, complete admission status is then granted.
The College reserves the right to withdraw admission at any time should the student’s final admission qualifications fall below the standards required for admission to a specific program.
For all Professional Programs the College reserves the right to cancel a program start should circumstances warrant it. Students will be notified 5 weeks prior to start of the program.