Families are invited to join students, administrators, and staff throughout Countdown for our Summer Webinar Series. Get to know the people who will work with your student, learn about everything from academics to campus resources, and ask any questions you may have. Recordings will be available in the days following each event.
In the weeks before move-in, you will receive additional information about Columbia Family Welcome, including registration instructions. For now, please review the important dates below and detailed information from Columbia Housing about your student's move-in.
Saturday, August 24
Sunday, August 25
Convocation Ceremony
Families should plan to depart campus after Convocation concludes so that your student can begin their New Student Orientation Program experience.
Note: Students in certain programs – like athletics – require early arrival, and will receive more information and a revised Check-In date in July.
Tuesday, August 27
Check-in for Transfer, Combined Plan, Visiting, and Exchange Students
Residential students: Check in with Columbia Housing
Non-Residential students: Check-In will be at 11:00 a.m. in Lerner Hall 555
After your student has checked into their residence hall, we hope to see you at the Dean's Welcome Event that afternoon.
We look forward to welcoming you in-person if you plan to help your student during their arrival on campus! Below you will find information about Columbia Family Welcome events taking place on Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25. Families of International and Domestic First-Year students should register at the link below.
Register Here for Family Weekend
Please note, you do not need to register your student for family welcome events.
Families of students selected for Bag Drop by Columbia Housing are welcome to help their student throughout the move-in process on Saturday. However, along with their student, all families must leave campus at the end of the day and return the following day for formal Check-In. Please refer to the Columbia Housing Bag Drop site for detailed information.
Families of international first-year students are welcomed to campus on Saturday, August 24 with the full slate of events taking place Sunday, August 25. Sunday will conclude with the Class of 2028 Convocation Ceremony, where students and parents will gather on Low Plaza and hear remarks from Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett and Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang.
Family Orientation is designed to help you prepare for your student’s transition to Columbia and introduce you to the many resources and people who are here to support them. A full slate of events will be held for families of first-year students on Sunday, August 25. The full schedule will be available soon.
During the Class of 2028 Convocation Ceremony, students, families, faculty, and university leaders will gather on Low Plaza to formally welcome incoming students and families to the Columbia community. You will hear remarks from Columbia College Dean Josef Sorett and Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang.
Families should plan to depart campus after Convocation concludes so that your student can begin their NSOP experience.
Join us at an official welcome ceremony on Tuesday, August 27 to recognize the beginning of your students' undergraduate experience at Columbia University.
Check back here to register for Transfer and Combined Plan Students Family Welcome, held on Tuesday, August 27.
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Alfred Lerner Hall, Room 555
Join us for a student welcome event! Attendees can check in at the table located outside Room 555.
For complete information on shipping items to campus in advance of check-in, please visit the Columbia Housing site.
Before Check-In, Columbia Housing will provide instructions for shipping mail and packages to campus. All mail will be delivered to the Student Mail Center in Wien Hall.
Items received by Columbia Mail between August 1 and August 15 will be eligible for delivery directly to students' rooms. Items received after August 15 may be delivered or may be available for pick-up at the Student Mail Center or a satellite location. Students will be notified via email when a package is ready for pick-up.
Please note that students must be available to receive special deliveries in-person as residence hall front desks cannot accept deliveries on their behalf. If you plan on sending a surprise (such as flowers or a birthday cake), please let your student know ahead of time.
Stay in touch with us! Contact us at ugrad-family@columbia.edu or follow @ColumbiaFamily on Facebook and Instagram and Columbia Family on Youtube.