Placement

FOR NEW AND CONTINUING COLUMBIA COLLEGE STUDENTS

What is New Student Placement at Columbia College Chicago?

New Student Placement provides Compass placements in mathematics, reading, writing, and Fluency in Technology (F.I.T.) computer proficiency placement. Fluency In Technology consists of three parts: PC Fundamentals, Word, and Excel Spreadsheets. The math and reading are multiple-choice on computers, with easy-to-follow prompts. All students will receive their math, reading, writing, and F.I.T. results immediately.

All placements are tailored to Columbia's curriculum. Placements are given in a comfortable, friendly environment. Placement tests determine the appropriate course levels in which students must register.For example, the writing placement reveals whether a student should enroll in a preparatory English course, Writing and Rhetoric I, or an advanced writing section.

Is there any place I can go to see some sample tests so I can get an idea of what is on them?

This site contains sample questions from ACT, the company that owns Compass. The questions should help you get a better idea of what you will see on the Compass placement.

What do I need to do in order to take Placement?

To be eligible for placement, you must have completed the application process and received an acceptance offer from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who are attending the Bridge Program are eligible to take placements during regularly scheduled times.

Who takes New Student Placement?

COMPASS
Placement is required for all first time Freshmen and Transfer students with no credit accepted by Columbia in college level English Composition and college level mathematics, unless you have submitted your ACT scores to Columbia. ACT scores can be used in place of New Student Placement Exams. Students are required to confirm receipt of their ACT scores with Columbia's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

admissions@colum.edu | (312) 369-7130

Continuing Students that need placement in math, reading, writing, and computer placement are welcome to take them Monday through Friday, starting at 9:30am or 1:00pm, year-round, except holidays. Continuing students do NOT need an appointment. However, continuing students are encouraged to take placements during the term rather than Orientation, when many new and out-of-state students will take their placements first.

If you have submitted ACT scores but would still like to take a placement test to try to place in a higher level course, you can do so by calling the Office of New Student Programs and Orientation at (312) 369-8675.

F.I.T.
If your area of study is Audio, Radio, Art Entertainment and Media Management, Game Design, or Interior Architecture, you are required to take your F.I.T. IF YOUR MAJOR IS NOT IN THESE AREAS, you may take the F.I.T. placement DURING your first semester. ALL new students must take the F.I.T. placement, unless you have college level transfer credit accepted by Columbia College Chicago.

When should I take my New Student Placement?
Currently, placements are given every weekday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. You do not need an appointment, however, please arrive on time. During peak times, such as Orientation, Placement is on a first come, first serve basis. So, please arrive a few minutes early in Room 300, 623 S. Wabash, and sign in for Placement at the front desk.  Please visit the Office of New Student Programs & Orientation Web site, www.colum.edu/newstudentinfo, for more information about Orientation/Registration and Placement.

How long does the New Student Placement take?
New students taking all four placements should allow three hours. Transfer students should allow two hours.

What do new students need to bring to New Student Placement?
New students are required to:

New students may also bring their own calculator or may use those provided by New Student Placement. We also provide pencils to all new students taking math placements.


If I am a Transfer Student, do I need to take Placements?
Students with no credit accepted by Columbia in college level English Composition or college level mathematics, place in Writing only and/or Math Only.

If you have college credit accepted by Columbia in BOTH English Composition and college level Mathematics, and you only need F.I.T., you may take your F.I.T. placement during your first semester at Columbia. However, if your area of study is Audio, Radio, Art Entertainment Media Management, or Interior Architecture, you should take F.I.T. before your first semester at Columbia. If you have submitted your college transcripts from another institution, you should have received your Transcript Evaluation Report (Green Sheet). If you have not received this, and you want to find out which college credits have been accepted at Columbia , please e-mail your Transcript Evaluator below:

Students with last names A through G, contact Corin Gagliardi, cgagliardi@colum.edu
Students with last names H through N, contact Michael Kilinski, mkilinski@colum.edu
Students with last names O through Z, contact Cory Byrd, cbyrd@colum.edu

What if I am a special needs student?
Documentation of your special needs will be required. Please call the Office of New Student Programs & Orientation at (312) 369-8675. Also, you will receive a referral to Services for Students with Disabilities http://www.colum.edu/ssd and www.colum.edu/interpretingservices