A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Statistics.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Statistics: probability, theory and practical data analysis
Columbia admits students to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering, and Statistics is a major offered through the College once enrolled. The Bulletin describes study design and data analysis built on probability and statistical theory, with a 14-course major planned with the director of undergraduate studies. This guide makes no claim of a separate admission to Statistics.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Statistics
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Statistics 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.
Fourteen courses
The major includes four mathematics prerequisites and is planned with the director of undergraduate studies.
Theory plus practice
The Bulletin says the major builds on probability and theory to give practical training in methods and design.
Several entry courses
The department separates reasoning-focused, applied and theory-focused introductions.
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: Statisticsbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Statistics 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 defines statistics as the art and science of study design and data analysis, with probability theory as the mathematical foundation. The major builds on probability and statistical theory to provide practical training in statistical methods, study design and data analysis, and is an appropriate background for graduate study. It requires 14 courses including four mathematics prerequisites. For students who want only an introduction, the department offers STAT UN1001 for statistical reasoning and STAT UN1101 for applied statistics without calculus. This guide does not list the remaining courses.
Is it the right major?
Statistics beside Applied Mathematics and Financial Economics
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
Statistics fits if
you want data analysis and study design grounded in probability.
Applied Mathematics fits if
you want mathematical modelling. Avandy's Columbia Applied Mathematics guide covers it.
Financial Economics fits if
you want an applied social science with a finance orientation. Avandy's Columbia Financial Economics 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.
Are four mathematics prerequisites acceptable?
The major lists them.
Do you want the theory behind the methods?
The major builds on probability and statistical theory.
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 Statistics 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 Statistics?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
Is there an introductory option without calculus?
The Bulletin says STAT UN1101 is designed for students who do not have a calculus background.
How many courses does the major need?
The Bulletin says 14.
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 Statistics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, how they weigh statistics against mathematics or computer science 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.