Because the Bridge program is not a degree program and the first 2-3 terms are part-time it is not eligible for F-1 student status. Eligibility for a student visa requires admission to a degree program and enrollment in a full-time program of study. Once students move to the MS, they are eligible for visa sponsorship.

If you have additional questions about your eligibility as an international student, please contact ISSO.

Prospective students who graduated from another degree program in the U.S. and are currently authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) with employment are eligible to enroll only in the non-degree Bridge program (Terms 1-3). Once the full-time degree program begins (Terms 4-6), students must discontinue OPT employment and apply for an initial I-20 to begin the MS degree program and enroll full-time.

Admission to the MS Degree Terms 4 – 6 Summer/Fall/Spring, Full-time  

Admitted students may request an initial I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 status from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). To apply, please go to the ISSO website  Applying for Your I-20/DS-2019  (http://bit.ly/applyCOE).

International students must register for a minimum of 12 points of credit-bearing courses at the beginning of each semester. Failure to do so or subsequently dropping below a full-time course load without authorization is a violation of F-1  status. 

Students who complete the MS degree will be eligible for Post-completion OPT and the STEM OPT extension. 

For questions about individual cases, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)

Please see the official application requirements on the SEAS website here.

Please see the official application requirements on the SEAS website here.

You can only waive up to 3 courses. Those applicants with much of the Bridge coursework completed should apply directly to the CS MS program for consideration.

Up to 3 courses can be reviewed by your advisor, once admitted, to determine if these are equivalent to CU courses, and so may be waived for the Bridge Program requirements.

You will need to complete one traditional application to be admitted into the Bridge Program, then when you finish your Bridge coursework, you will need to complete the Bridge + Pathways Completion Application.

As a CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science applicant, you will apply to the CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science, and upon admission, you will complete the Bridge coursework and you may simultaneously take MS courses if you feel prepared enough for them.

When you have finished all of your Bridge coursework and have maintained a 3.3 GPA, you must fill out a Completion Application. The Completion Application is mainly a formality- you do not need letters of support, an essay, or external test scores. It is simply a way for CS Advising to review your progress in the Bridge Program and ensure you are fully prepared for your transition to the MS Program.

Once matriculating into the MS Program, you must begin your PDL Requirements. More information regarding PDL can be found here.

The CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science application requires both a Statement of purpose and a Career Essay.

Formatting your essays: 

• Limit 2 pages
• All margins should be at least one inch, and the left and right margins should be equal.
• Text should be double-spaced
• The preferred fonts are 10-point Arial or 12-point Times New Roman; however, any legible serif or sans-serif standard font may be used
• Do not use script or ornamental fonts
• Your name should appear in the Header or Footer of every page

Personal Statement prompt: a brief description of your academic and professional activities and accomplishments, as well as any other information that you feel can help us evaluate your potential to succeed in the program.

Career Essay Prompt: describe your career objectives and specific goals in pursuing the MS Bridge to Computer Science Program. Why did you apply to this program? What do you hope to do after graduation?

Applications will open in October; more information will be posted on the Bridge website.

The priority deadline for complete applications is February 15th. In order to be considered complete for review, your application should be submitted, and all materials should be received (including letters of reference). 

No, it is against school policy to apply to more than one program at SEAS; however, if the CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science Admissions Committee or the MS Admissions Committee determines that you are not a good candidate for their program, they will have the discretion to send your application for a 2nd review by the other admissions committee. However, this is not guaranteed and those applicants with more than 3 of the Bridge Program required courses should consider applying directly to the CS MS. 

No, this program does not award an undergraduate degree. A minimum qualification to apply is that you must already hold an undergraduate degree by the time you start the CS@CU MS Bridge Program in Computer Science. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded the Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Columbia University. 

There is no minimum; however, the average GPA of the admitted Bridge students is 3.7 on a 4-point scale.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is currently optional. If you have taken the exam and would like to provide your scores, you may, but it is not required. Students who do not submit scores will not be penalized in the graduate admissions review process.

Please see the SEAS application requirements online here. 

No, we do not have a minimum GRE score required for admission; however, the average GRE scores of admitted Bridge students are:

Average GRE Q: 161
Average GRE A: 4
Average GRE V: 159

We anticipate that applicants to the CS@CU MS Bridge program will come to us with a variety of different backgrounds. The GRE will help, along with the rest of your application, to identify your strengths and areas in which the program can benefit you. 

Use the Columbia University code 2111. It is not necessary to enter the department code.

Please have your official GRE and TOEFL scores sent to us directly by ETS, using the Columbia University institutional code 2111. It is not necessary to enter the department code.

For IELTS scores, enter your TRF number on the application for admission. Our office downloads IELTS scores that have been transmitted to our e-download account. Please contact your test center and​ request that your scores be sent to ​the IELTS e-download account. You may select Columbia Engineering by searching for Columbia University under “List of Organizations subscribing to the E-TRF Query” and then selecting “The Fu Foundation School.” We will not accept paper IELTS test report forms.

Please refer to the SEAS Standardized Test Scores FAQ for more information on this process. For follow-up inquiries, we encourage you to contact seasgradmit@columbia.edu directly.

Please refer to the SEAS Standardized Test Scores FAQ for more information on this process. For follow-up inquiries, we encourage you to contact seasgradmit@columbia.edu directly.

No, for the Internet-based TOEFL test, we recommend a total score of 101. For IELTS, 7 is the recommended score for admission. These are not strict cutoffs; we will, of course, consider applicants with other scores.

The CS@CU MS Bridge program consists of both Bridge coursework (1 summer & 2 semesters) in undergraduate courses as well as 3 semesters of MS program coursework. The curriculum can be customized to each student’s unique needs if they have some of the Bridge coursework already completed at the time of admission.

Tuition rates are set by the University and updated each summer. Tuition and fees are posted online here.

Admitted students will complete three terms of Bridge coursework before they are matriculated into Columbia University’s Master’s program in Computer Science. Please refer to the CS@CU MS Bridge Program Quickguide for a breakdown of program requirements.

If you successfully completed a preparatory course at another bridge program at another university (e.g., NYU Tandon) that did not award credits, you may request to waive COMS 1004. But, if you do not feel confident in Java, you should take COMS 1004, or you will not be able to be successful in the remaining Bridge courses. This will be counted as one of the 3 permitted waivers and you must have earned a B or higher in the external program.

If you’ve taken and earned a B or higher in courses you think are equivalent to any of those in the Bridge program, you can submit a waiver request to move on to the next course. To submit a waiver, log into Mice and click “add import”. You must attach the relevant syllabus and your transcript to the waiver request for CS Advising and CS Faculty to review. When a decision has been made, you will be notified via email. Please note that courses taken through Coursera are not eligible for waivers.

No more than three waiver requests will be approved. Please plan accordingly.

Yes, Bridge students are expected to maintain a 3.3 GPA. As Bridge courses form the foundation of your MS degree, it’s very important to build a strong base. When you prepare to transition to the CSMS portion, we typically like to see a B or higher in most of these foundational courses. The CSMS program has a GPA requirement of 2.7.

Once you have successfully completed all your Bridge Requirements, you must complete the Bridge + Pathways Completion Application. If you are unsure if you have completed the required coursework, please email CS Advising for a progress check.

After you submit the Completion Application and your Bridge coursework is reviewed, this application will allow you to formally transition to the CSMS portion of your degree. Please remember to review the CSMS degree requirements here.