Certificate and Nondegree-Seeking Application

Enrollment Information

When do you intend to enroll?

Summer 2026

What are you interested in studying?

Academic History

Do you have your high school diploma or equivalent?

High School Graduation or Equivalent Date

Transcripts are not required for admission as a nondegree-seeking student but you must meet the prerequisites for any upper-level classes.

If you are interested in taking an upper-level class, you must submit official college or university transcripts showing the completion of prerequisites to Columbia College Chicago Admissions for transcript evaluation.

Are you interested in an upper-level class?

Yes

Please provide information about the school you currently attend, or most recently attended.

Most Recent High School, College or University
Search for your school by name, city or CEEB code & select from the list.

Your school location will populate based on the school you selected above.

Country

City

Region

Postal Code

Unofficial Transcripts

Please upload your most recent unofficial transcript from your current school

Personal Statement

In 200 words or more, tell us about yourself and what you hope to accomplish while taking classes at Columbia College Chicago.

Disciplinary and Criminal History

Columbia College Chicago’s obligation to the safety of our community requires us to ask applicants to disclose the below-described serious violations of law or of school disciplinary codes. To ensure that each application receives an individualized assessment, Columbia encourages applicants with past violations to describe the relevant circumstances and to provide examples of any rehabilitation. Columbia acknowledges that qualified applicants with these backgrounds have historically faced unfair barriers to higher education.

A committee within the Admissions Office will review your description of the violation. In some instances, a simple, honest statement expressing your regret for the behavior and your resolve to not repeat it will be sufficient. For some more serious violations, Columbia may request additional information such as a criminal background check, or ask you to authorize the release of disciplinary records from your former school.

Disciplinary History

Have you been found responsible for a disciplinary violation related to one or more of the below-listed types of misconduct at any educational institution you have attended from the 9th grade (or international equivalent) forward?

Disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution. Please disclose and describe all such violations.

Academic dishonesty
Discrimination or harassment based on religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other category protect by law
Sexual assault, harassment, or misconduct – e.g., Title IX violations
Physical assault

You are not required to report disciplinary action for lesser violations such as dress code infractions or tardiness/truancy.

Academic dishonesty
Discrimination or harassment based on religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ethnicity, or any other category protect by law
Sexual assault, harassment, or misconduct – e.g., Title IX violations
Physical assault

You are not required to report disciplinary action for lesser violations such as dress code infractions or tardiness/truancy.

Yes

REQUIRED EXPLANATION

This section is required because you indicated that you have been found responsible for a school disciplinary violation.

Please use the space below to provide details of the applicable situation(s). You may enter up to 650 words.

Criminal History

Have you been adjudicated guilty or convicted in a criminal court of a misdemeanor or felony in the last five years?

Although you should disclose all qualifying offenses, please know that the College is primarily interested in crimes involving violence, dishonesty, or that otherwise affect the safety and well-being of another person. Note that you are not required to answer "yes" to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential.

Yes

REQUIRED EXPLANATION

This section is required because you indicated that you have a past history of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime.

Please use the space below to provide details of the applicable situation(s). You may enter up to 650 words.

Signature

Please review your application and make sure your responses are accurate.

Your admission to Columbia College Chicago will be based on the answers you've provided. Once you have submitted your application and documents, they will become the official property of the college. Please note that you cannot change your answers through this application once you have submitted it.

In instances where we believe it to be necessary, a Columbia representative may request additional information from an applicant. In these instances, the application will not move forward in the review process until these additional items are provided.

Columbia College Chicago complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. Admissions, financial aid, and employment decisions made by the college are free of any discrimination based on age, race, color, creed, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin.

Columbia College of Chicago prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://students.colum.edu/title-ix/.

Columbia College Chicago will never sell or rent your personal information, and we take extensive security measures to protect this information. Students can opt out of communications from the college at any time. Visit colum.edu/privacy to read our privacy policy.

I certify that the information supplied by me on this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
In place of your signature, please type your full legal name: