Against a backdrop of rising application numbers in recent years, Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science have decided to discontinue their alumni interview program for individuals seeking admission. The decision, which takes effect this fall for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, was made to ensure that all candidates have the same opportunity to connect with and learn about Columbia through the application process.
The interviewing process has been supported by the Alumni Representative Committee (ARC), a network of College and Engineering alumni who meet with prospective students in person or virtually. These volunteers have served as ambassadors for the Columbia experience while also giving applicants another avenue for sharing information about themselves.
While interviews have never been a requirement, the challenges inherent to the interview process leave the vast majority of applicants unable to participate in the program. This discrepancy, heightened by the more than 50% growth in applications in recent years and the finite availability of alumni interviewers, significantly outpaced ARC’s capacity to provide interview opportunities to every candidate.
As applicant interviewing winds down, Columbia wants to express its profound gratitude for the Alumni Representative Committee’s many contributions and long-standing commitments to the admissions process, and deeply appreciates the unwavering support of its alumni and staff who have dedicated their time and resources to this effort over the years. Student-alumni interaction remains invaluable to the College and Engineering experience, and new opportunities for engagement will continue being explored. Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this program.
For more information on current opportunities, visit the Columbia College Alumni Association or Columbia Engineering Alumni websites; for more information on admissions, visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.