--- title: How to Use the Columbia Common Data Set description: The Columbia Common Data Set reveals important admissions information about acceptance rate, GPA, testing, and more. Let's go through the numbers. image: https://admitreport.com/hubfs/Columbia%20CDS.jpg --- [Think you can get into a top-10 school? Take our chance-me calculator... if you dare. 🔥](https://uq2z800a22f.typeform.com/to/GSbIvdW0) [![](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/admit-report-logo-black.svg)](https://admitreport.com/) [College Essays](https://admitreport.com/college-essays) Personal Statement Supplemental Essays Writing Advice Example Essays Other Application Writing Sections Personal Statement Foundations [How to Write a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Brainstorming a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-brainstorming-questions) [Personal Statement Mistakes](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-end-a-college-essay) [How to Revise a Personal Statement](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-edit-a-common-app-essay) Personal Statement Strategy [Writing About Strengths](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Finding a Topic](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-choose-a-college-essay-topic) [Tone & Theme](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-requirements#college-essay-conventions) Common Application [Common Application Prompts](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-app-essay-examples#the-2022-2023-common-application-essay-prompts) [Common Application Requirements](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/owlhkp/my_giant_guide_to_to_the_common_app_what_is_it/) [How to Write a Common App Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Common App Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples) Personal Statement Examples ["Great" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#the-best-personal-statement-examples) ["Good" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#good-personal-statement-examples) ["Bad" Essay Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#bad-personal-statement-examples) Types of Supplemental Essays [Why Us](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-college-essay) [Diversity Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/diversity-essay) [Community Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/community-essay-examples) [Academic Interest Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/academic-interest-essay) [Why This Major Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-major-essay-examples) [Challenge Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-challenge-essay-examples) [Extracurricular Supplemental Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) Supplemental Strategy [Writing About Strengths](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#goal-1-write-persuasively-about-your-strengths) Our College Essay Philosophy [Creating a Cohesive Application Narrative](https://admitreport.com/blog/cohesive-application) [Writing Vulnerably](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-for-colleges) [Strengths-Based Writing](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#goal-1-write-persuasively-about-your-strengths) Writing Techniques [Brainstorming a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-brainstorming-questions) [Drafting a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-draft-a-common-app-essay) [Revising a College Essay](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-a-college-essay#how-to-edit-a-common-app-essay) Personal Statement ["Great" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#the-best-personal-statement-examples) ["Good" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#good-personal-statement-examples) ["Bad" Example Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-statement-examples#bad-personal-statement-examples) Supplemental Essays [Why Us Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-college-essay) [Diversity Supplemental Examples](https://admitreport.com/blog/diversity-essay) [Extracurricular Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) [Academic Interest Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/academic-interest-essay) [Community Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/community-essay-examples) [Why this Major Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/why-this-major-essay-examples) [Challenge Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/personal-challenge-essay-examples) School-Specific Supplementals [Harvard Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/harvard-supplemental-essays) [Yale Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/yale-supplemental-essays) [Stanford Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/stanford-supplemental-essays) [USC Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/usc-supplemental-essays) [Dartmouth Supplementals](https://admitreport.com/blog/dartmouth-supplemental-essays) [All Supplemental Essays](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/supplementals) Activities Descriptions [Writing Activities Descriptions that Stand Out](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-activities-essay) Admissions Office Communications [Finding Your Admissions Officers](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email-to-a-college-admissions-office-sample#contacting-your-admissions-counselor-vs-the-admissions-office) [Emailing an Admissions Office](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email-to-a-college-admissions-office-sample) [Preparing to Apply](https://admitreport.com/how-to-apply-to-college) Preparation Pathways Extracurricular Activities Academic Basics Testing Admissions 101 Grade-Based Timelines [First-Year Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/first-year-timeline) [Sophomore Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/sophomore-timeline) [Junior Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/junior-timeline) [Senior Timeline](https://admitreport.com/blog/senior-timeline) International Students [How to Apply as an International Student](https://admitreport.com/blog/applying-to-college-as-an-international-student) Extracurriculars in Admissions [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurriculars-and-college-admissions) [How to Find Authentic Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-organically-find-your-extracurricular-interests) [Basic Extracurricular Pathways](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-pathways) [Extracurricular Magnitude and Impact](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurricular-magnitude-and-impact) [Leveling Up Your ECs](https://admitreport.com/blog/leveling-up-your-extracurriculars) [Crafting ECs by Combining Interests](https://admitreport.com/blog/craft-amazing-extracurriculars) [Passion Projects](https://admitreport.com/blog/passion-project-ideas) GPA [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Extracurriculars](https://admitreport.com/blog/extracurriculars-and-college-admissions) [Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/15ehsq5/aos_dont_want_you_to_know_this_one_weird_fact/) [Assessing Your GPA & Admissions Chances](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) [Class Rank](https://admitreport.com/blog/academics-gpa) Course Work [Course Rigor](https://admitreport.com/blog/do-colleges-care-about-ap-scores) SAT & ACT [How Admissions Officers Evaluate Standardized Test Scores](https://admitreport.com/blog/what-does-test-optional-mean#how-do-admissions-officers-evaluate-my-test-scores) [Test-Optional Admissions](https://admitreport.com/blog/what-does-test-optional-mean) AP & IB Tests [Do AP & IB Tests Matter in Admissions?](https://admitreport.com/blog/do-colleges-care-about-ap-scores) [When to Send Your Scores](https://admitreport.com/blog/senior-timeline) Types of Institutions [Liberal Arts College](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#liberal-arts-colleges) [Private University](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#highly-selective-private-institutions) [State University](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#large-state-schools) [Community Colleges](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#community-colleges) How Applications are Reviewed [How Applications are Reviewed](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) [The Job of the Admissions Officer](https://admitreport.com/blog/reading-5k-essays-in-a-top-15-admissions-office) [What is the Committee?](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications#the-third-trial-committee-recommendations) [Your Application Strategy](https://admitreport.com/application-strategy) Navigating the application College Application Strategy College Research Building Your College List Application Materials Common Application Guide [How to Use the Common Application](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/owlhkp/my_giant_guide_to_to_the_common_app_what_is_it/) [Common Application Essay Prompts](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-app-essay-examples#the-2022-2023-common-application-essay-prompts) Applying to International Schools [A Guide to Applying as an International Student](https://admitreport.com/blog/applying-to-college-as-an-international-student) Our Strategy Philosophy [Creating a Cohesive Narrative](https://admitreport.com/blog/cohesive-application) [How Admissions Offices Process Applications](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) College-Specific Application Guides [Harvard](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-harvard) [Stanford](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-stanford) [Yale](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-yale) [MIT](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-mit) [USC](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-get-into-usc) [See the full list](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/application-strategy) Tools & Resources [Demonstrated Interest](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-show-demonstrated-interest) [How to Use the Common Data Set](https://admitreport.com/blog/common-data-set) Visiting Colleges [When to Visit Colleges](https://admitreport.com/blog/touring-colleges#ways-to-visit-college-campuses) Resources [Common Data Set](https://admitreport.com/common-data-set) [Colleges That Change Lives](https://ctcl.org/) School List Basics [How to Build the Perfect School List](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list) [Safety Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-safety-school) [Target Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-target-school) [Reach Schools](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-make-a-college-list#what-is-a-reach-school) Early Decision Strategy [Early Action vs Early Decision](https://admitreport.com/blog/early-action-vs-early-decision) [How to Pick Your ED](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-strategize-your-early-decision-application) [Early Decision II](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-strategize-your-early-decision-application#what-s-the-strategy-for-ed-ii-schools) Letters of Recommendation [Teacher Letters](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college) [Counselor Letters](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college) [How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation](https://admitreport.com/blog/letters-of-recommendation-for-college#how-to-get-the-best-letters-of-recommendation-possible) School Report [What Is a School Report?](https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/vz09mf/the_document_in_every_application_most_students/) [All Resources](https://admitreport.com/blog) [College Consulting](https://sierraadmissions.com/) [About Us](https://admitreport.com/about-us) [![](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/admit-report-logo-black.svg)](https://admitreport.com/) [College Essays](https://admitreport.com/college-essays) [Preparing to Apply](https://admitreport.com/how-to-apply-to-college) [Your Application Strategy](https://admitreport.com/application-strategy) [All Resources](https://admitreport.com/blog) [College Consulting](https://sierraadmissions.com/) [About Us](https://admitreport.com/about-us) ###### Contents Last updated February 9, 2024 Every piece we write is researched and vetted by a former admissions officer. Read about [our mission](https://admitreport.com/standards) to pull back the admissions curtain. [Blog](https://admitreport.com/blog) > [Common Data Set](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/common-data-set), [Ivy League](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/ivy-league), [Private University](https://admitreport.com/blog/tag/private-university) > How to Use the Columbia Common Data Set # How to Use the Columbia Common Data Set Admissions officer reviewed by [Ben Bousquet, M.Ed](https://admitreport.com/about-us) Former Vanderbilt University Written by [Kylie Kistner, MA](https://admitreport.com/about-us) Former Willamette University Admissions ###### Key Takeaway Columbia is competitive, even among its Ivy League peers. They received over 60,000 applications last cycle, so you're up against the best of the best. But applying Early Decision or finding the right major fit may just give your application the boost you need to get in. The Columbia Common Data Set gives us an insider’s look at the Columbia admissions process. We work through the Columbia Common Data Set in this post, drawing out all the most important information that will help you write your Columbia application. Let’s get to it. ## How Columbia Evaluates Applicants — based on CDS data Columbia admissions officers take several factors into account when evaluating your application, but they don’t all carry equal weight. As you can see, the most important factors relate to your academic achievement, essays, extracurriculars, and personal character. These are all considerations you’d expect an admissions officer to be looking for. Interestingly, talent and ability is the only factor that Columbia ranks as “important” in the application review process. It may seem like you have to have cured a disease or invented a new energy source to get into an Ivy League school these days. But this talent and ability ranking assures you that you don’t necessarily have to have changed the world—yet. Your admissions officers simply want to see that kind of potential in you. | Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Rigor | Talent/ability | Test scores | State residency | | Class rank |   | Interview | Religious affiliation | | GPA |   | First generation | Level of applicant interest | | Essay |   | Alumni/ae relation |   | | Recommendations |   | Geographical residence |   | | Extracurriculars |   | Racial/ethnic status |   | | Character/personal qualities |   | Volunteer work |   | |   |   | Work experience |   | ### Does Columbia track demonstrated interest? No, Columbia does not track [demonstrated interest](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-show-demonstrated-interest). Columbia admissions officers don’t consider your demonstrated interest at all when they review your application, so you don’t need to stress about showing that you’re interested. Instead, you can spend that time finding genuine connections between your background and Columbia so you can show good school and academic fit in your supplemental essays. ### Does Columbia care about standardized test scores? Yes, Columbia cares about test scores. But not as much as they care about GPA, class rank, and essays. So your test scores will factor into your application review, but they won’t be the most important part. In fact, only 44% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores, and an even smaller 29% submitted ACT scores. We have an entire post about choosing when and how to [submit your test scores](https://admitreport.com/blog/stanford-common-data-set) based on your application strategy if you need a little more guidance. ### Does Columbia care about essays? Yes. Essays are one of the most important parts of your Columbia application. Not only do they factor in as a “very important” admissions criteria, but they also give you a voice in the admissions process. They’re your opportunity to create a personal narrative that communicates your strengths to an admissions officer. ## What GPA do I need to get into Columbia? The Columbia Common Data Set doesn’t report any specific GPA information. But we can see class rank data for enrolled first-year students, and it is almost as enlightening. Of those who reported class rank, 100% were in the top half of their high school graduating classes. 98.4% of them were in the top quarter, and 95.7% were in the top tenth. ## Columbia Acceptance Rate At 60,551 applications, Columbia received the second-highest number of applications among the Ivy League schools, with [Cornell](https://admitreport.com/blog/cornell-common-data-set) ranking first. Of those over 60,000 applicants, only 2,355 were admitted. Yep, you read that right. That’s a 3.89% acceptance rate—somehow even lower than [Stanford's](https://admitreport.com/blog/stanford-common-data-set) 3.94%. ### Columbia Early Action/Decision Acceptance Rate With an admit rate that low, is all hope lost? Of course not (but it is dampened). If you want to give yourself the best chance possible, you might consider applying Early Decision. According to the Columbia Common Data Set, 6,435 students applied ED. Columbia admitted 768 of them. Those statistics make the Early Decision admit rate an enviable 11.9%, almost 8 percentage points higher. ### What’s the right application option for you? If applying Early Decision increases your chances of admission by almost 8 percentage points, then why not apply ED? Well, you only get one Early Decision application (or two, if you’re unsuccessful with your first), so you have to use it where it’ll have the biggest impact. If you’re already a standout candidate and Columbia is your top choice, then an ED application may just be the extra boost your application needs to make it to the admit pile. But if your application is already a long shot (if, for example, you aren’t in the top half of your class and have no notable extracurriculars), then it’s likely more strategic to use your Early Decision application elsewhere. ## Most popular majors at Columbia You might be thinking about applying to Columbia just because it’s Columbia. But is it actually the right choice for you based on your major interests? Let’s take a look. We can see the most popular subject areas at Columbia by looking to the Common Data Set, which reports on the percentage of degrees conferred in different academic disciplines. As the chart below shows, the most popular majors at Columbia are those in the social sciences, which account for 21.28% of degrees awarded. The next highest are computer science and engineering, which made up about 16% and 14% respectively. Columbia is also relatively popular in the humanities, with history, English, visual and performing arts, and area, ethnic, and gender studies all ranking in the top ten. | Major | Percent of Degrees Conferred | | --- | --- | | Social sciences | 21.28 | | Computer and information sciences | 16.12 | | Engineering | 14.08 | | Mathematics and statistics | 6.34 | | Biological/life sciences | 6.23 | | Psychology | 6.02 | | History | 5.27 | | English | 5.1 | | Visual and performing arts | 4.25 | | Area, ethnic, and gender studies | 4.03 | If your preferred major is in this top ten list, then it’s safe to assume that the program would likely suit your needs well. But applying with any of these popular majors in mind also means more competition in the applicant pool. If your desired major isn’t on this list, then you may have an easier time making your case for admission, especially if you demonstrate a particularly strong fit for your major of choice. Plus—it’s Columbia, so every program will give you an exceptional academic experience. ## What should you do with all this information? Columbia’s sub-4% acceptance rate makes applying there daunting. And rightly so. With over 96% of applicants denied, your chances of getting in are slim. That’s why it’s important to be realistic about how your own statistics stack up to what Columbia admissions officers are looking for in applicants. Having a strong baseline in your GPA, course rigor, and extracurricular achievement can earn you a closer read. That’s where your essays come in—their purpose is to communicate the character and talent that Columbia seeks out in its students. Sprinkle in a few strategic moves, like applying Early Decision or finding the right major fit, and you might just beat the odds. To get started on your Columbia application, see our How to Get into Columbia guide.     ###### Liked that? Try this next. ###### [![post preview thumbnail](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/siora-photography-hgFY1mZY-Y0-unsplash.jpg) How A Selective Admissions Office Reads 50k Applications In A Season](https://admitreport.com/blog/50-thousand-applications) ###### [![post preview thumbnail](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/Power%20of%20a%20Cohesive%20College%20Application.jpg) The Incredible Power of a Cohesive College Application](https://admitreport.com/blog/cohesive-application) ###### [![post preview thumbnail](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/20%20College%20Essay%20Examples-1.jpg) How to Write Supplemental Essays that Will Impress Admissions Officers](https://admitreport.com/blog/how-to-write-supplemental-essays) ###### [![post preview thumbnail](https://admitreport.com/hubfs/Join%20us%20on.png) 21 College Essay Examples (Graded by Former Admissions Officers)](https://admitreport.com/blog/college-essay-examples) ### Upgrade your college journey ###### Content [Admissions Guides](https://admitreport.com/admissions-guides) [Categories](https://admitreport.com) ###### Legal [Privacy Policy](https://admitreport.com/privacy) [Terms of Use](https://admitreport.com/terms) K&S Canon, PLLC 1200 5TH Ave Ste 1950, Seattle, WA, 98101-1183, United States Copyright © 2026 McNeil Admissions ### "The only actually useful chance calculator I’ve seen—plus a crash course on the application review process." 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