Apply to Engineering, then major in Applied Mathematics
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The Applied Mathematics BS is listed in the Engineering catalogue.
Undergraduate · Columbia Engineering
Columbia Applied Mathematics: a Bachelor of Science in Columbia Engineering
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or to Columbia Engineering, and the Academic Catalog lists Applied Mathematics as a BS in Engineering's Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics. The catalogue describes preparation for graduate study or careers where mathematical and technical sophistication matter, many electives, and required junior and senior seminars. For an A-level or IB applicant, the first decision is which school to apply to, and Applied Mathematics sits in Engineering. This guide claims no separate admission to Applied Mathematics and does not read Columbia College's mathematics majors.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Applied Mathematics
Taken from Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages and the Columbia Engineering Academic Catalog's Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Columbia's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Three programmes in one department
The department offers applied physics, applied mathematics and materials science, plus a listed double major in applied physics and applied mathematics.
Many electives, no forced specialisation
Technical electives are normally at the 3000 level or above, and there is no requirement to focus them.
Junior and senior seminars
The catalogue says a junior seminar and a senior seminar with a term paper are required for all applied mathematics majors.
SAT or ACT from August 2027
Columbia says it will require ACT or SAT results from first-year and transfer applicants starting in August 2027.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia Engineering Academic Catalog: APAM Undergraduate Programsbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Engineering Academic Catalog: Applied Physics and Applied Mathematicsbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages and the Columbia Engineering Academic Catalog's Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's APAM department site, the full Applied Mathematics requirement list, Columbia College's mathematics majors, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The programme
What the Academic Catalog says it is
The department's catalogue says its applied physics and applied mathematics programmes provide excellent preparation for graduate study or for careers where mathematical and technical sophistication are important. Students use a large number of electives to tailor their programme, with technical electives normally at the 3000 level or above, and may focus them into an elective specialization, though there is no requirement to do so. Applied mathematics majors take an introductory junior seminar and a senior seminar with a term paper. This guide did not read the full requirement list, so it names no other courses.
Is it the right degree?
Which school, and which mathematics degree
Columbia describes the College and Engineering as separate applications, so the choice of school comes first. Avandy's comparison is general.
Engineering fits if
you want a Bachelor of Science with a technical, applied emphasis, as the Applied Mathematics BS is.
The College fits if
you want a broader liberal arts degree; this guide did not read the College's mathematics majors.
Operations Research fits if
your interest is optimisation and decisions. Avandy's Columbia Operations Research guide covers that major.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT from August 2027, and your curriculum
Columbia says that starting in August 2027, Columbia College and Columbia Engineering will require first-year and transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT results. It accepts all secondary curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and A Level and IB results must be submitted if they are required to complete and graduate from secondary school. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Are you ready to apply to Engineering?
Applied Mathematics is in the Engineering catalogue.
Do you want flexibility in electives?
The catalogue emphasises tailoring through many electives.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says one is required from August 2027.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Columbia's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Columbia's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Columbia has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Columbia for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the APAM undergraduate programs page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Columbia Engineering or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Columbia Engineering. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Is Applied Mathematics at Columbia College or Engineering?
The Academic Catalog lists Applied Mathematics (BS) in the Columbia Engineering department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics. This guide did not read the College's mathematics majors.
Can I apply directly to the Applied Mathematics major?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, not to a major.
Is there a double major with Applied Physics?
The catalogue lists a Double Major in Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says it will require them starting in August 2027.
Does Columbia accept A Levels and the IB?
Yes. Columbia says it accepts all secondary curricula and reviews applications in the context of the curriculum.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Columbia's wording with no entry-year label. Check Columbia's pages again when Columbia publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Columbia Applied Mathematics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, whether they want an engineering-school degree and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.