Columbia Science Honors
Are you a serious math or science student looking for a way to elevate your academics and really stand out from the pack? Do you live in the NY metro area? Consider applying to the Columbia University Science Honors Program, which meets on Saturdays throughout the year. Entry requirements are rigorous, but the payoff could be huge.
The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for students who have a strong interest in science and mathematics. Classes are held at Columbia from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Applicants for the 2020-2021 school year must now be in the eleventh, tenth, or ninth grade and must apply online. The program is available only to students who attend high schools in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut and who live within a 75-mile radius of the Columbia campus.
Application Requirements
A completed online application, including a report of high school grades and an essay describing one's interest and background in science and mathematics.
An high school transcript, to be uploaded by the applicant via the online application.
An online letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal.
A $50 non-refundable fee to cover the costs of application processing and test administration. If necessary, we can waive the application fee with a note from a school guidance counselor on in writing or via email on school letterhead.
Entrance Examination
As part of the application process, there will also be a 3-hour entrance examination given at Columbia University.
How do I get started? For more information check out the Columbia website for this program.
How do I expand this narrative arc? Looking for more ways to pursue your interest in science and math? There are a number of excellent and prestigious summer programs at some of the top research institutions in the country:
Test drive “life at the bench” in this intensive four-week lab research program at U. Chicago.
Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Internship
Cancer Research Internship at Fred Hutch
Children’s Health Research Internship at Colorado Children’s Hospital
For math, there are many competitions and interesting extracurriculars to pursue. For example:
Enter one of the math national and international math competitions including Purple Comet!, the American Mathematics Competitions, Who Wants to be a Mathematician or the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament.
Explore the types of math problems faced by real world mathematicians in the team-based MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge
Challenge yourself to apply your math skills to real world situations at Wharton’s Data Science Academy
HOT TIP: This program is rigorous and selective and a great way to demonstrate that you are a very serious student. It’s also a great chance to expand beyond the courses offered in your high school, and to network with other exceptional students in your region.