Columbia

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons New York, NY · Private · MD

Class size: 140 (7,591 applicants)
Tuition: $76,336 (per year)
Out-of-state applicants: Welcome

Deadlines

AMCAS deadline: Oct. 15, 2026
Secondary deadline: Oct. 22, 2026

Essays

Experiences and perspectives (300 words)

The Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons values a wide array of experiences and perspectives. How will you contribute to this important value of our institution, and how will it inform your future role as a physician?

Leadership (300 words)

Please describe your most meaningful leadership position(s):

Since graduation (300 words)

Please briefly summarize what you have done since graduating from your undergraduate institution:

Work for compensation (300 words)

Did you work for compensation during your undergraduate studies (either during the academic year or summers)? Optional: What did you do? How many hours a week did you work?

Anything else (400 words)

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

CV

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Editor's notes

Columbia's calendar is tight: AMCAS by Oct. 15, secondary by Oct. 22, letters and fee by Oct. 29. Late documents don't get grace. Get letters into AMCAS before you submit your primary.
Decisions aren't rolling. Everyone hears in early March, so there's no prize for rushing a weak secondary in August. Spend the time making the four short answers specific.
The admit range runs from 508 to 528 on the MCAT and 3.53 to 4.0 on GPA. That's the full range, not the middle. Don't read the low end as a typical admit, and don't rule yourself out for being below the middle either.
If Columbia-Bassett appeals to you, choose it on the secondary. You'll interview with both teams, and if Bassett doesn't invite you, you're moved to the regular pool automatically. You lose nothing by trying.