Transfer

For students affected by the closure of Siena Heights University and the elimination of some majors at Indiana University: We understand that these developments have disrupted your educational plans, and we are here to help you continue your work toward a creative career.

If you're interested in transferring to ÒùÆÞÉç, please review the information on this page so you can be ready when the 2026 applicatoin opens on September 2.

Please reach out to us at transfer@colum.edu so we can expedite review of your application and transfer credits.

Transfer: How to Apply

Apply as a transfer student if you’ve completed high school, home school, or a GED (called HiSET in some states) program and have earned (or will earn) college credit at a college or university before your first day at Columbia. This excludes dual enrollments (including Summer at Columbia) and/or any college or university enrollment completed during the summer immediately following high school or GED (or HiSET) completion.

If you have not enrolled in courses at a post-secondary college or university, or if your coursework is covered by the exceptions listed above, please review the Freshman Application Requirements.

If you are you an international student who will require a visa to study in the United States, please follow the steps listed here, and review this page for additional information. 

You can also review a complete checklist and timeline for transfer students at the links.

Application Deadlines

October 1, 2025: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at fafsa.gov. Submitting the FAFSA will help to maximize your access to all possible financial aid.

November 17, 2025: Spring 2026 application due.

December 1, 2025: Fall application deadline for the Acting for Stage and Screen, BFA; Comedy Writing and Performance, BFA; Fashion Design, BFA; Musical Theatre, BFA; and Performance and Songwriting BMus programs. Applicants passed through a pre-screen process will be invited to audition/interview in January or February of 2026.

December 1, 2025: Priority fall application deadline for the Film and Television BFA program. 

January 15, 2026: Fall application Deadline for all other programs.

BA, BFA, BMus, and BS: What’s the difference?

Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs allow for greater flexiblity and exploration within the curriculum. This includes the ability to tailor elective coursework beyond your major or add a minor. Around 90% of Columbia students are pursuing a BA degree.

Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Music (BMus), and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs feature more intensive required coursework in the major with limited flexibility for electives.

A Note on Standardized Test Scores

ÒùÆÞÉç's admissions process is entirely test-free. Standardized test scores will play no role in the college's determination of a student's admissibility, or in awarding merit-based scholarships.

After admission, students who have them are encouraged to submit results from Advanced Placement or International Baccaulaurate tests. Just list Columbia on your or talk to your school's IB diploma program coordinator about how to . Columbia grants credit for scores of 3 or higher on and 4 or higer on .


Learn More

Ready to Apply? Follow these steps.

1. Submit your application.

Use the "Apply Now" link above to access the application.

2. Submit the following required items.

• Transcripts

  As a transfer student, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges where you have previously been enrolled—even if you didn't complete any graded credits.

  Columbia does require final high school transcripts for some transfer applicants. If you:

  • Earned your GED, or
  • Were home-schooled, or
  • Attended a non-US high school, or
  • Have completed FEWER than 24 graded semester college credits at the time of application

  
  

  International Applicants: Please see this page for more complete instructions.

  How to Submit Transcripts

  Ask your institution(s) to electronically transmit transcripts to ÒùÆÞÉç Admissions, or mail them to 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. All transcripts received by mail or in person must be in the original sealed envelope from the school.

  We also accept transcripts—when sent directly from the institution—via email at admissions@colum.edu.

• Writing Sample

  Within the application, submit a writing sample in response to this prompt:

  Please provide a short personal statement that outlines your goals for your enrollment at ÒùÆÞÉç. You may choose to write about development of your creative practice, progress toward your career objectives, improving specific skills, or your own personal growth.

  The application will also have an optional section where you can provide additional information about items in your academic history that you might want to explain.

• Application Fee

  Application fee for domestic students (nonrefundable): $25 

  Columbia does not wish for the application fee to present a barrier for interested students. The payment page of the application includes an opportunity to request a fee waiver, and we encourage students to take advantage of this as needed.

• Portfolios | Auditions | Interviews

  Portfolio, audition, and/or interview requirements can vary based on your intended major.

  Students applying for BFA or BMus degrees are required to submit materials. Your submission will be considered for admission to the program as well as for the Faculty Recognition Award. Please follow the guidelines for your intended major. The submission deadline for the Acting for Stage and Screen, BFA; Comedy Writing and Performance, BFA; Fashion Design, BFA; Musical Theatre, BFA; and Performance and Songwriting (BMus) applicants is Monday, December 1, 2025. For all other BFA programs, the submission deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026.

  Portfolios or auditions are not required for BA or BS applicants, but it is to your advantage to submit materials. A submission is the only way to be considered for the Faculty Recognition Award. Please follow the guidelines for your intended major. The submission deadline for all BA or BS applicants is Thursday, January 15, 2026.