FAQs

Apply

The Summer 2023 application is now open. Students apply through the Columbia University Graduate Engineering platform, here.

No, all applications must be completed by the student.

Pay close attention to what the question asks. Please answer all essay questions on the application. Have a teacher or counselor proofread your essay for errors.

For the letter, ask either your science or math teacher at least three weeks in advance. Provide teachers with a resume and grades, too.

Yes. Please extend requests to your providers and submit as soon as you are ready. We will allow a grace period of one week after the deadline to receive supporting documents for each application. During rolling admissions, please ask your providers to upload supporting documents as soon as possible. We cannot review your application until it is complete.

There may be a wait-list. We will notify applicants of their status as soon as possible.

Admissions decisions will be sent out in early May.

Priority enrollment goes until January 15, 2023. During that time the $50 application fee will be waived. After that, there will be rolling admissions based on availability and all applicants will be required to pay a $50 application fee.

Tuition

You will pay the deposit and tuition online. All information on payments will be provided after admission.

Yes, we offer need-based scholarships that cover the total cost of the program. For more information on how to apply, please visit our tuition and fees page.

No, students must provide their own transportation to and from Columbia.

Please be certain that you are able to attend before accepting the scholarship. We strive to give as many full, need-based scholarships as possible. If you accept a spot, and do not use it, we will not have the chance to offer it to another candidate. We take this process seriously and ask that our applicants do the same.

The deposit will act as the first payment toward tuition. The remaining tuition balance will be due at a later date indicated in the admissions letter. The deposit is non-refundable.

All students paying tuition are required to pay their bill within the deadlines provided by program staff. Please refer to our Financial Responsibility Policy for more details. The university’s office of financial services tracks all student accounts and payments.

Courses and Programs

Sessions are three weeks long. Courses are engineering classes taught by faculty. Electives are skill-building seminars taught undergraduates and professional staff. During each session, students will choose one course and one elective.

Students may only take one course during each session, but may apply to attend both 3-week sessions allowing them to attend more than one course. Students should indicate their preference for both sessions on the application. If taking courses during both sessions, students will pay for both 3-week sessions.

Yes, students may choose any available elective, regardless of which course they are taking. Students will be enrolled in this elective for the full three weeks. We encourage students to interact and collaborate on projects during electives time.

We admit students based on availability in each course.

All students are expected to commute to the Columbia campus daily. You may explore campus housing options here, and temporary accommodation options near campus here.

The meal plan covers lunch every day (This does not apply to the 2020 and 2021 virtual program).

We ask students to take program attendance seriously. However, if you are unable to attend during one or more days of the program, please let us know as soon as possible. Keep in mind that we cannot prorate or discount tuition or offer special materials for covering what you miss, and you will likely be working on a team.

If you accept your offer, and start SHAPE but change your mind about attending, you have 2 full days to leave without penalty. If you withdraw after 5:00pm on the second day of the program, you are responsible for the full tuition. If you have a concern during the first 2 days, please come talk to us - we are here to help and support our students! Personal emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis. We know that things happen, and we will be sensitive to specific circumstances as they arise. 

Yes, Columbia students will be assisting with the entire program. 

Not necessarily. Although we recommend that applicants, whenever possible, spend some time on campus before applying, applicants who have attended a program on the Columbia campus are not given automatic preference in the admissions process.