New Students

Welcome to the J-School

Congratulations! After an intensive selection process, you have been selected to become a part of our school’s tradition of excellence. We welcome you to what we hope will be one of the most enriching experiences of your professional life as a journalist. This page is designed to assist you in completing all the necessary pre-enrollment tasks.

Prepping for the J-School

COMING SOON: We will host several webcasts over the coming weeks. One aimed at International students, one for M.S. part-timers, plus others about new media and technology at the J-School. If you have more topic suggestions please send an email to: dos@jrn.columbia.edu (subject line = webcast suggestions).

See a full line-up of live or recorded webcasts.

International Students

Instructions for International M.S. Students

Important Visa Application Information for International Students
Leaving the comforts of home can be troubling at first. Add to that the pressures of applying for the correct student visa and it can start to feel a bit overwhelming. That's why the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) of Columbia University developed an online guide just for you. The Coming to Columbia: Essential Information for New International Students guide is designed to help you meet the challenges of living abroad and enjoy the excitements of learning and living in New York City.

New Student Checklist

Please complete the following requirements before you arrive on campus.

Activate your Columbia email address: Once a student’s $950 check has been received his/her UNI (which also serves as the e-mail address) is generated. To look up your UNI, please click here. If it is not there it means that your enrollment has not yet cleared the system - you should try back again in a few days. Once you have your UNI, you may activate your Columbia email address. Once it is active, you can start using your Columbia E-mail.
Fill out the Journalism School Emergency Contact Form
Record your meningococcal meningitis vaccination decision online
Complete a measles, mumps and rubella record - submit to Health Services before August 31.
Choose one of three insurance options: confirm your automatic enrollment in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, request a waiver or upgrade your selection. Full-time M.S. and M.A. students must do so online before August 31. Part-time M.S. students must do so online before September 30.
Review your Student Account Statement online after TBA. Please be sure that you have paid your bill to avoid the $150 late payment charge. Once the statement is available, an alert will be sent to your Columbia email address.
Sign up for Direct Deposit through Student Services Online (SSOL) to have scholarship and financial aid refunds deposit directly into your bank account.
Sign up for an optional Dining Plan or purchase Dining Dollars or a Flex account.
Stay protected! Register your mobile number to receive important communications from Columbia University in case of an emergency situation.
Student ID and Press Pass - Send a passport size photo with your name and university email address on the back. Mail the photo to: I.D. Center
1140 Amsterdam Avenue, 204 Kent Hall, New York, NY 10027. We will use this to create your Columbia University ID and press pass, which you will receive on the day of your arrival.
Sign up for Text Messages, Enrollment

Orientation and Start Dates

(subject to change)
Please note that orientation attendance is mandatory.

Part-time M.S. Students
Orientation: May 23, 2008
Classes begin: May 27, 2008

Full-time M.S. Students (International Students)
Orientation: August 7, 8, 11 and 12, 2008
Classes begin: August 13, 2008

Full-time M.S. Students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
Orientation: August 11, & August 12
Classes begin: August 13, 2008

M.A. Students (All)
Orientation: August 28, 2008
Classes begin: September 02, 2008

Ph.D. Students (All)
Orientation: August 28, 2008
Classes begin: September 02, 2008

Info Fair & BBQ (All)
August 29, 2008

Financial Aid Awards

In order to help you make an informed decision about attending the Journalism School, we will mail financial aid award letters shortly to all of the admitted students who submitted the appropriate forms, as indicated below.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Scholarships and other financial aid will be assigned to those who submitted a FAFSA and a Journalism School Financial Aid Form by the February deadline. Without these forms, we cannot award scholarships. If you require loans and have not already done so, please fill out a FAFSA. The University Student Financial Planning Office cannot develop a financial aid award to an admitted student without a submitted FAFSA. If you have any questions, about your FAFSA or your federal data, please call University Student Financial Planning Office at 212-854-7040.
International Students
Scholarships will be assigned to those admitted international students who have submitted the Journalism School Financial Aid Form. All scholarships are assigned on the basis of merit and/or need.

Inter-School Fellowships
If you applied for a Columbia University Inter-school Fellowship, please contact Ms. Tarin Almanzar at 212-851-0795 should you have any questions. The Inter-school Fellowship committees make their selections in April, independently of the Journalism School.

Housing

Columbia University has limited housing for full-time graduate students around the Morningside Heights campus.
Please see the housing memo included in your admissions packet for additional information. The deadline to apply for Housing is May 15.
Housing Memo PDF

Enrollment Response Form and Deposit

You may submit your enrollment decision online
Enrollment RESPONSE Form

A non-refundable deposit of $950 is required to hold your place in the class. This amount will not be credited towards your tuition. We will accept a personal check, bank draft, or bank money order in U.S. dollars drawn from a U.S. bank. After you have filled out the form online, print out the receipt page and send it in with the check (please be sure to include your name and PID #, found on the admissions letter, on the receipt and check).

Current Students

Helpful Links