A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to English.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia English: ten courses and a distribution map across periods
English at Columbia College is not a separate application. Applicants choose the College or Columbia Engineering and declare a major afterwards. The Bulletin sets a distinctive structure for students who matriculate in 2024-25 or later: ten courses with required coverage of genre, geography, race and ethnicity, and three literary periods, ending in a capstone. A single course can meet several distribution requirements, which makes planning an exercise in overlap rather than quantity.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia English
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for English and Comparative Literature in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, read on 1 November 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.
Ten courses with distribution
The Bulletin lists genre, geographical area, race and ethnicity, and period requirements.
A capstone
The capstone is either a Senior Essay or an advanced seminar.
Overlap is allowed
The Bulletin says one course can fulfil more than one distribution requirement.
The SAT or ACT is required from August 2027
Columbia says it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results; it accepts A levels and the IB.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia Bulletin: English and Comparative Literaturebulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for English and Comparative Literature in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's department website, the full course lists and descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin asks of an English major
For students who matriculate in 2024-25 and after, the major needs at least ten courses in English and Comparative Literature. They begin with ENGL 2000/2001, then cover three genres, three geographical areas, the study of ethnicity and race, two courses before 1700, one from 1700 to 1900 and one from 1900 to the present. The Bulletin says Shakespeare I, for example, can cover British or Irish literature, drama and one pre-1700 requirement. The capstone is a Senior Essay or an advanced seminar. AP credits cannot count.
Is it the right major?
English beside History and Philosophy
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
English fits if
you want a range of periods and traditions with close reading as the central skill.
History fits if
you want a chosen field built around archives and a Plan of Study. Avandy's Columbia History guide covers it.
Philosophy fits if
you want argument and logic as the core method. Avandy's Columbia Philosophy guide covers it.
Admission and testing
Columbia College, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. It accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum. It says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Do you want a wide literary range?
The distribution rules require genres, regions and periods rather than a single focus.
Would a Senior Essay or a seminar suit you?
The capstone offers either route.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Columbia says it will require ACT or SAT results 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 1 November 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 English and Comparative Literature entry in the Columbia Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Columbia College 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 College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Columbia English?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
Can one course meet several English distribution requirements?
Yes. The Bulletin says a single course can fulfil more than one distribution requirement and gives Shakespeare I as an example.
Do Core courses count towards the English major?
The Bulletin says Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, University Writing, Art Humanities and Music Humanities cannot be counted towards the major.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results.
Does Columbia accept A levels and the IB?
Columbia says it accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within 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 English
Tell us about the student's curriculum, how they would meet the distribution requirements, whether a senior essay appeals 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.