Student Life – Columbia University School of General Studies

Student Life Campus Life Advising Events Calendar Financial Aid Housing Health Services Campus Safety Study Abroad Career Advising & Alumni Network Fellowships &
Grad Planning Academic Integrity Official Regulations SSOL FACETS

Fellowships & Grad Planning

Fellowships, sometimes called grants or scholarships, can provide a wonderful opportunity to fund travel, research, and study relevant to a student’s educational growth. Most of the fellowships provide financial support for graduate study either abroad or in the United States; however, a few provide support for the last two years of undergraduate study.

The School of General Studies will send announcements about new fellowships as we learn about them. It is your responsibility to do the research to find a fellowship that matches your interests and goals. If you are pursuing a fellowship that does not appear on either of the GS fellowship lists, please email gsfellowships@columbia.edu. A GS academic advisor will then contact you with advice on how the University or school can be supportive of your application.

Contact Information: GS students who are interested in applying for a fellowship should consult the Fellowship Handbook, available below or from the Dean of Students office. If you have general questions about fellowships, you may also email gsfellowships@columbia.edu.

Fellowship Handbook
There are literally thousands of different fellowships, and the process of finding and applying for one can be daunting. The Fellowship Handbook (.pdf) will give you a broad understanding of what a fellowship is, tips on finding a fellowship that is right for you, and an overview of the application process.

Fellowships Requiring University Nomination
Some fellowship programs, such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Truman Scholarships, require students to be nominated by their university. On this page you will find a brief overview of each fellowship and basic instructions on how to apply to the Columbia Fellowship Committees.

Fellowships Requiring Direct Application
Many fellowships require applicants to apply directly to the fellowship organization. Examples include the City of New York Urban Fellows, Metropolitan Museum of Art Internships and National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program, among many others. On this page you will find a non-inclusive list of some of these fellowships and instructions on how to apply.

Pre-Law Advising and Handbook
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a graduate degree. Law schools typically require entering students to have a bachelor's degree, but there are no specific pre-law requirements for admission. Generally, law schools seek applicants who possess the ability to read, research, and write effectively, because these attributes are essential to the study and practice of law. Successful applicants have usually taken a number of undergraduate courses which demonstrate, develop, and engage these abilities. Normally J.D. candidates complete the law school curriculum in three years.

To learn more about law school and the application process, see the Pre-Law Handbook (.pdf).

Contact Information: GS students who have questions about applying to law school should speak with their GS advisor or email gsprelaw@columbia.edu.