Freshman Express App

The Express App is non-binding and is intended for freshman applicants for the Fall 2024 term only. If you’re a transfer applicant, you may use our Transfer Express App to apply. If you are a second bachelor’s degree applicant, or wish to apply for the Spring (late January) 2024 term, please visit our main application page and select the correct application category.

The Express App does not include a writing component. If you would like your application to include a personal statement, an explanation of academic disruption, or details of other circumstances or qualifications, please visit our main application page and select the freshman application.

Personal Information

Please review the personal information below and either confirm it as it appears or provide it where necessary.

First Name (legal/given)

Middle Name

Last Name (legal/given)

Do you have a former last name that may appear on a transcript or legal document?

Yes

No

Other Last Name

First Name and Pronouns

Columbia College Chicago recognizes that many members of our community use names other than their legal/given names. If your name differs from your current legal name, we will make every effort to ensure that this name appears in your student records wherever possible.

This will include communications and outreach from Admissions to you and your family/supporters, your decision letter, and (should you enroll) the college’s learning management system.

Please understand that we are required to keep financial aid documents and official academic transcripts under your current, full legal/given name.

Would you like Columbia College Chicago to use a different first name when communicating with you and your family?

Yes

No

First Name

Which pronouns would you like us to use? (Optional)

A note on names and pronouns: If you're concerned about someone else seeing the name and pronouns you've shared, we suggest not adding Family and Supporters in the section below at this time.

If you indicate it's not safe to share, a Columbia representative will reach out to you to have a conversation about how you would like us to communicate with you and any supporters throughout the application process.

Is it safe for us to share this name and/or your pronouns with your family or supporters?

Yes

No, it's not safe to share

Birthdate

Legal Sex

Which of these options best describes your gender identity? (Optional)

What is your sexual orientation or identity? (Optional, Select all that apply)

What language did you first learn to speak?

What is your primary speaking language?

What language is spoken in your home?

Have either of your parent(s) or guardian(s) earned a bachelor’s degree or higher?

Yes

No

Contact Information

If you use an email address issued by the school you currently attend, please be aware that some schools deactivate student email addresses after graduation. It is best to provide an email address that you know will be active up until your intended date of enrollment at Columbia.

Email Address

Primary Phone Number

Mobile Phone Number (optional) - Message and data rates may apply

May we text your mobile phone number?

Yes

No

Permanent Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Citizenship Information

Primary Citizenship

Are you a Permanent Resident of the United States?

Yes

No

Please Note: The following visa questions will be kept confidential and will not affect your admissions decision.

Do you currently hold a valid U.S. Visa?

Yes

No

Current Visa Type

Do you intend to apply for a new U.S. Visa, and if so, which Visa type?

How will you prove your English Proficiency?

What is your score?

Demographics

Colleges and universities are asked by many groups, including the federal government, accrediting associations, college guides, and newspapers, to describe the ethnic/racial backgrounds of their students and employees. In order to respond to these requests, we ask you to answer the following two questions.

Are you Hispanic or Latino/a/x?

Yes

No

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please check one or more of the following groups in which you consider yourself to be a member:

Please tell us about your tribal identity or affiliation.

Are you enrolled in a federally recognized tribe?

Yes

No

What best describes your Black or African American background?

U.S. / African American

Africa

Caribbean

Other

What best describes your Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander background?

Guam

Hawaii

Samoa

Other Pacific Islands (excluding Philippines)

What best describes your White background?

Europe

Middle East

Other

Veteran Information

Do you or your parent currently serve, or have you or your parent served in the U.S. military?

Yes

No

What best describes you?

Are you currently receiving veteran's educational benefits?

If you do not know if you are eligible for any veteran benefits, please start by calling 888-442-4551 (888-GI-BILL1), and ask the VA directly if you are eligible, and how to apply if you are. If you have further questions about veterans benefits at Columbia College Chicago, contact Amro Ally for information.

Do you plan on using military education benefits while attending Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

For more information on veternas benefits, please contact Columbia Central or visit the website:

colum.edu/veterans
columbiacentral@colum.edu
312-369-7140

Enrollment Information

Have you applied to Columbia College Chicago in the past?

Yes

No

Which year did you apply?

Which term do you intend to enroll?

Year?

2024

Enrollment Plan

Housing Plan

What is your intended major?

Which concentration are you interested in?

You've indicated that you are applying for the Bachelor of Science in Programming. Please note that entry into this program requires completion of coursework equivalent to Columbia's course, MATH 215 Precalculus. You may transfer this credit from another institution, or receive it through a score of three or higher on either of the Calculus Advanced Placement exams.

If you are admitted to the college, your initial degree program will be the Bachelor of Arts in Programming. You will be able to change your degree program to the Bachelor of Science in consultation from your advisor once your Calculus credits are received.

You've indicated that you intend to apply for direct entry to a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) or Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree program. Applicants for direct entry into these programs should be aware of the following:

Columbia’s BFA and BMus programs are structured across all four years of enrollment. Students in these programs will find it very challenging to complete a double major, a minor field of study, or even to enroll in any more than a handful of elective credits, while still maintaining progress toward timely degree completion. If students wish to have more flexibility to explore the curriculum outside of their intended major, they should apply for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree instead.
Your application to this program will include additional steps not required for other applicants. You’ll receive more information about where and how to complete these steps after submitting your application. These steps may include a pre-screening process, an audition and/or interview, and/or a portfolio submission. The deadline to complete the pre-screening (where required) is Friday, December 1, 2023. The deadline to submit other portfolio materials and/or schedule an audition/interview is Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
You will receive a decision regarding your admission to the college before you receive a decision about your specific BFA or BMus program. Your additional materials will be reviewed separately for entry into the BFA or BMus program you’ve selected. You’ll receive a second letter with your program-specific admissions decision no later than April 1.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Acting, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Music, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Photography, BA - Integrated Photography.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Animation, BA - Computer Animation.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Dance, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Fashion Studies, BA - Product Development.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Fine Arts, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Graphic Design, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Illustration, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Musical Theatre, BA.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Animation, BA - Traditional Animation.

If you are accepted to Columbia but not into your preferred BFA/BMus program, your major will appear as Film and Television, BA.

Music Experience

Please select your primary performance area.

How many years have you studied your primary performance area?

Do you have ensemble experience?

Yes

No

How would you rate yourself in your primary discipline?

Did you study privately, in school, or both?

Do you have a secondary performance area?

Yes

No

Please select your secondary performance area.

How many years have you studied your secondary performance area?

Do you have ensemble experience?

Yes

No

How would you rate yourself in your secondary discipline?

Did you study privately, in school, or both?

Please select your vocal range.

Please select your vocal style.

Please select your instrument type and style.

If you are interested in a specific area of Film and Television, please let us know.

Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degree Program

Columbia College Chicago offers a program that allows students early access to graduate-level courses leading to selected Master of Arts (MA) degrees. Participants in the program who meet eligibility requirements, will be able to start work on their Master’s degree during their senior years, and finish both the BA and MA in five years.

If you’re interested in pursuing this paired BA + MA course of study, please select yes below and we will share more information with you as part of your first-semester advising and registration process. For more details (including a list of the MA degrees available and complete eligibility and requirements) please review our Combined Degree Program page.

I am interested in Columbia's Combined Undergraduate/Graduate Degree program.

Yes

No

Which graduate program are you interested in?

Education History

The Express App is non-binding and is intended for Freshman applicants only. If you have completed high school and enrolled in any post-secondary, college-level course work, please return to the main application page and select the "Transfer" option.

To ensure that your application is complete, please add the following to your education history:

The HIGH SCHOOL you graduated or expect to graduate from.

If you are unable to find the specific Home School program that you were apart of when adding your school, please enter "960028" in the "High School" box and select "Home School" when it appears.

Please enter "CC000417" in the "High School" box and select "GED-General Education Diploma" when it appears to add your GED program to your schools.

Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all institutions where they have previously been enrolled.

Most Recent High School
Search for your school by name, city or CEEB code & select from the list.

CEEB
This field will populate when you select your school from the list. If you are unable to find your school this will remain blank.

Dates Attended From

Dates Attended To

Did you graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent?

Yes, I have a High School Diploma or equivalent

No, I have not yet graduated

High School Graduation Date

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment refers to taking courses for and earning college credit prior to high school graduation. This does not include standardized testing programs such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB).

Have you or will you have earned any college credit through dual enrollment?

Yes

No

Dual Enrollment School Name
Search for your school by name, city or CEEB code & select from the list.

How did you participate in the dual enrollment program?

Did you attend another school for Dual Enrollment?

Yes

No

Dual Enrollment School Name
Search for your school by name, city or CEEB code & select from the list.

How did you participate in the dual enrollment program?

Did you attend another school for Dual Enrollment?

Yes

No

Dual Enrollment School Name
Search for your school by name, city or CEEB code & select from the list.

How did you participate in the dual enrollment program?

Additional Education Information

Please list the other Community Based Organization you are a part of

A “gap” refers to any period of time post-high school graduation (other than the summer immediately after) during which you were not enrolled at a community or four-year college. Many students, for instance, take a “gap year” after high school to work and/or travel.

Do you have any gaps in your education between high school and now?

Yes

No

Please briefly explain why.
For example, "I took a year off from school to work and save money."

Financial Plan

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine maximum eligibility for all scholarships and aid available. Have you or do you intend to file a FAFSA?

Your Social Security Number is required if you plan to apply for federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Social Security Number
Numbers only, no dashes or spaces.

Confirm Your Social Security Number
Numbers only, no dashes or spaces.

Family and Supporters

We encourage you to provide contact information for at least one person who will be supporting you throughout your college-search process. We’ll share general information about important dates, deadlines, and next steps with your supporters so that they’ll be prepared to help you at every stage.

When communicating with your supporter(s), we will use the name and pronouns you provided above.

Would you like to add a supporter to your application?

Yes

No

Type

First/Given Name

Last/Family/Surname

Email

Phone

Highest Level of Education

Did this person earn a degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

Does this person work for Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

Siblings

Do you have any siblings that are applying, attending, have attended, or have graduated from Columbia?

Yes

No

First/Given Name

Last/Family/Surname

Email

Are they currently applying to Columbia?

Yes

No

Are they currently enrolled or have they previously attended Columbia?

Yes

No

Did they earn a degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

Would you like to add an additional sibling that is applying, attending, has attended, or has graduated from Columbia?

Yes

No

First/Given Name

Last/Family/Surname

Email

Are they currently applying to Columbia?

Yes

No

Are they currently enrolled or have they previously attended Columbia?

Yes

No

Did they earn a degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

Would you like to add an additional sibling that is applying, attending, has attended, or has graduated from Columbia?

Yes

No

First/Given Name

Last/Family/Surname

Are they currently applying to Columbia?

Yes

No

Are they currently enrolled or have they previously attended Columbia?

Yes

No

Did they earn a degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Yes

No

Alumni

Do you have any relatives that have graduated from Columbia that are not already listed above?

Yes

No

Type

First/Given Name

Last/Family/Surname

Disciplinary and Criminal History

Columbia College Chicago’s obligation to the safety of our community requires us to ask applicants to disclose the below-described serious violations of law or of school disciplinary codes. To ensure that each application receives an individualized assessment, Columbia encourages applicants with past violations to describe the relevant circumstances and to provide examples of any rehabilitation. Columbia acknowledges that qualified applicants with these backgrounds have historically faced unfair barriers to higher education.

A committee within the Admissions Office will review your description of the violation. In some instances, a simple, honest statement expressing your regret for the behavior and your resolve to not repeat it will be sufficient. For some more serious violations, Columbia may request additional information such as a criminal background check, or ask you to authorize the release of disciplinary records from your former school.

Disciplinary History

Have you been found responsible for a disciplinary violation related to one or more of the below-listed types of misconduct at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or international equivalent) forward? Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution. Please disclose and describe all such violations.

Academic dishonesty
Discrimination or harassment based on religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other category protect by law
Sexual assault, harassment, or misconduct – e.g., Title IX violations
Physical assault

You are not required to report disciplinary action for lesser violations such as dress code infractions or tardiness/truancy.

Yes

No

Please use the space below to provide details of the applicable situation(s). You may enter up to 650 words.

Criminal History

Have you been adjudicated guilty or convicted in a criminal court of a misdemeanor or felony in the last five years? Although you should disclose all qualifying offenses, please know that the College is primarily interested in crimes involving violence, dishonesty, or that otherwise affect the safety and well-being of another person.

You are not required to answer "yes" to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.

Yes

No

Please use the space below to provide details of the applicable situation(s). You may enter up to 650 words.

Signature

Please review your application and make sure your responses are accurate.

Your admission to Columbia College Chicago will be based on the answers you've provided. Once you have submitted your application and documents, they will become the official property of the college. Please note that you cannot change your answers through this application once you have submitted it.

A note on additional materials:
In instances where we believe it to be necessary, a Columbia representative may request additional information from an applicant. In these instances, the application will not move forward in the review process until these additional items are provided.

Columbia College Chicago complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. Admissions, financial aid, and employment decisions made by the college are free of any discrimination based on age, race, color, creed, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin.

Columbia College Chicago will never sell or rent your personal information, and we take extensive security measures to protect this information. Students can opt out of communications from the college at any time. Visit colum.edu/privacy to read our privacy policy.

I certify that the information supplied by me on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

In place of your signature, please type your full legal name: