Main Campus Evening General Admission Policies
Columbia College enrolls students who have both the desire and ability to succeed in a rigorous teaching and learning environment. The College invites applications from students who have demonstrated that they are likely to complete the College’s broad-based general education curriculum and to master an undergraduate major. Many factors are considered in the admission decision but previous academic achievement is the best predictor of success at Columbia College.Columbia College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law in the administration of its educational policies, admission, financial assistance, employment, or educational programs or activities.
Each applicant is individually considered for admission based on their qualifications as a whole. Applicants must submit completed applications by the application deadline indicated for each semester (see Admission Deadlines). Application deadlines will be firmly adhered to for all applicants regardless of status; fulltime, part-time or non-degree seeking. Columbia College reserves the right to randomly check any and all applications for a criminal history. Applicants with a felony or misdemeanor conviction must provide details regarding the crime(s). Applications serving academic or behavioral suspension from their previous institution must provide details regarding the suspension.
The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.
New Freshmen
Admission is generally granted to high school applicants with no previous college credit (excludes high school dual enrollment) who follow a college preparatory curriculum and meet the following requirements:
- 2.0 cumulative high school GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale and
- 21 ACT or 990 SAT score or - Ranking in the top half of their graduating class*
*If high school class rank is unavailable, academic consideration will be made for college prep work completed in high school. Applicants who are not ranked in the top half of their graduating class, or if class rank is not provided, must demonstrate successful completion of the twelve units of college prep work identified below with a grade of C or higher in each course.
- Four units of English
- Three units of Mathematics (two years of algebra and one year of geometry)
- Three units of Science
- Two units of Social Studies
Admission is also generally granted to applicants with a 2521 GED or a 60 HiSET score and home schooled applicants who present a 21 ACT, 990 SAT, 2521 GED, or 60 HiSET score. Applicants who graduated from high school more than two years ago may not be required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration. However, these scores are also used for freshman course advising and scholarships.
To apply for admission as a new freshman, applicants must:
- Submit the Columbia College undergraduate application for admission and a one-time non-refundable $35 fee.
- Request official high school transcripts be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar, or submit official GED scores. Please direct all official documents to: Office of the Registrar, 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216.
- Request an official transcript be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar from each college or university from which credit (including dual credit) was earned.
- Submit ACT and/or SAT scores.
- Provide a copy of a resident alien card, if a permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen.
- Submit a completed Columbia College Medical History form and show proof of two vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). This applies to all Day students who were born after January 1, 1957.
- Authenticate identity (see Student Authentication section below)
New freshman applicants who do not present the minimum requirements for admission may be considered for admission through the Admissions Review Committee process (see Admissions Review Process).
Home Schooled Students
Complete steps 1, 3, 4, and 5 (if applicable) and submit a record of high school-level coursework or a GED/HiSET score. Scholarship candidates must submit a high school equivalent grade point average or other relative materials and a resumé to be considered for institutional aid. Please contact the Admissions Office for details.
Transfer Students
Columbia College welcomes students with academic credit from other institutions. A student who has earned more than six college credits after high school completion is considered a transfer student. Transfer applicants must present a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Only grades of C or above are accepted in transfer. If fewer than 24 hours are accepted as completed at the point of admission, transfer applicants will be considered for admission on the basis of the high school record (class rank, ACT/SAT, grade point average) in addition to college coursework.
To apply for admission to Columbia College as a transfer student, applicants must:
- Submit the Columbia College undergraduate application for admission with a one-time non-refundable $35 application fee. Applicants must submit completed applications no later than the indicated admission deadline for each semester (see Admission Deadlines).
- Request an official transcript from each college or university attended, including dual credit, be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar (see Evaluation of Credit and Testing ). Please direct all official documents to: Office of the Registrar, 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216.
- If semester hours earned total less than 24, request an official high school transcript or GED/HiSET scores be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar. ACT/SAT scores may also be required for course advising and scholarships.
- Provide a copy of the resident alien card, if a permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen.
- Submit a completed Columbia College Medical History form and show proof of two vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). This applies to all Day students who were born after January 1, 1957.
Transfer students who do not present a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average for previous college coursework may be considered for admission through the Admissions Review Committee process. Students who are on suspension from another institution are recommended to wait a minimum of one semester before applying for admission to Columbia College. Students who are currently serving suspension at another institution will be considered for admission only through the Admissions Review Committee process. (See the Admissions Review Committee Process for more information).
Admissions Review Process
The Admissions Review Committee reserves the right to review any application for admission.
Main Campus Day and Main Campus Evening applicants who do not meet the standards indicated for general admittance may be considered for admission through the Admissions Review Committee process. In addition to the general admission requirements, Admissions Review Committee applicants must:
- Submit a letter that explains previous academic experiences and addresses difficulties encountered; a description of an activity, project or task at which they have persevered to completion; and a plan for success at Columbia College.*
- Complete a personal interview with an Admissions Counselor.*
*Main Campus Evening applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the indicated supporting materials, but are not required.
Applications with supporting materials will be reviewed to determine whether applicants are admitted to the College. The committee looks for one or more of the following: unrealized potential, uncommon talent in a given area, perseverance and prediction of academic success or substantial work experience. If admitted, students must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average during their first term enrolled at Columbia College. Failure to do so may result in suspension from the College.
An applicant who is denied admission to the Main Campus Day may apply through Main Campus Evening, Nationwide or Online Campus programs. Main Campus Evening applicants who are denied admission also have the option of applying through Nationwide or Online Campus programs.
Columbia College reserves the right to deny admission to all campus locations.
Early-Out Admission
Main Campus Day and Main Campus Evening students of exceptional ability may apply for admission to Columbia College following completion of their junior year of high school and after having earned 15 units of high school credit. Applicants for early-out admission must complete the normal procedure for regular admission as well as arrange for a personal interview. Students must show an academic record which reflects readiness for college-level work. Consent of the high school principal and parents is required. Admission is contingent upon approval by the Admissions Review Committee.
Student Authentication
Students will be required to authenticate their identity prior to being reviewed for admission. A student with access to a Columbia College campus may show a government issued photo identification to a college staff member in order to authenticate their identity. Students who are not located near a campus will be required to authenticate their identity using a service provided by ProctorU, which has been established for online students or others, as designated by the college, to be able to authenticate their identity online. The authentication site for Columbia College can be accessed at www.proctoru.com/ccis. Students will need to click on the “Authenticate” tab at the top right portion of the page, setup a ProctorU account, and schedule an authentication session. The process can take from 15-30 minutes. You will need to have a government issued photo ID, student ID number, as well as access to a web cam available. To assist in navigation of the authentication process, a walk-through of the necessary steps is provided to guide you. Additional contact information is provided on the “Columbia College | ProctorU Student Authentication” page should you have issues at any step in the process. Once your authentication is complete Columbia College will receive notification from ProctorU and your student account will be updated accordingly.
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