A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Physics.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Physics: rigorous preparation with research at its centre
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Physics is a major offered through the College once enrolled. The Bulletin describes rigorous preparation in modern physics, a minimum of 41 physics points and a small student-to-faculty ratio that puts essentially all majors into research. This guide makes no claim of a separate admission to Physics.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Physics
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Physics 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.
At least 41 physics points
A required core is supplemented by advanced electives.
Research is the norm
The department says essentially all majors and concentrators do research under a faculty member.
Preparation for graduate study
The required courses are described as well suited to rigorous graduate study.
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: Physicsbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Physics 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 says the major is
The Bulletin says the physics major offers rigorous preparation in the intellectual developments of modern physics together with extensive exposure to the mathematical and experimental techniques needed for basic and applied research. The department stresses research: because of a very small student-to-faculty ratio, essentially all majors and concentrators do experimental, computational or theoretical research under a faculty member. The major requires a minimum of 41 points in physics. This guide does not list individual courses.
Is it the right major?
Physics beside Applied Mathematics and Statistics
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
Physics fits if
you want modern physics with mathematics and experiment, and research alongside faculty.
Applied Mathematics fits if
you want mathematical modelling in other fields. Avandy's Columbia Applied Mathematics guide covers it.
Statistics fits if
your centre is data and probability. Avandy's Columbia Statistics 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.
Is research with a faculty member part of what you want?
The department says essentially all majors do it.
Are mathematics and experiment both appealing?
The major gives extensive exposure to both.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Columbia says it will require one of them 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 Physics 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 Physics?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
How many physics points does the major need?
The Bulletin says a minimum of 41 points in physics courses.
Is there an Astrophysics major too?
Yes. The Bulletin lists an Astrophysics major as separate; this guide covers Physics only.
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 Physics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their physics and mathematics, their interest in research 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.