Deferrals
Applicants who are admitted and are unable to start the undergraduate degree program may defer their matriculation for two semesters (not including the summer session) up to one full academic year. Thereafter the applicant must reapply for admission. Requests for deferrals, while generally granted, are not guaranteed and do require the payment of the non-refundable tuition deposit.
Students who defer their offer of admission and plan to take coursework at another institution during the deferral period must notify the Office of Admissions of their intention to do so. Transfer credit for coursework completed during the deferral period will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may not be pre-approved. Please consult the transfer credit policy for detailed information.
Students who defer their offers of admission and complete coursework at another institution between the date of their initial offer of admission and their matriculation at Columbia will be subject to a review of their admissions status.
In addition, students who undertake and complete coursework at another institution between the date of their initial offer of admission and their matriculation at Columbia, even if this is not during a deferral period, will be subject to a review of their admissions status.
In both cases, the Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind the offer of admission based on the results of this review.