Transfer Entry Process

The Dual Degree Program between Tel Aviv University and Columbia University offers highly qualified students already enrolled in The Lowy International School B.A. in Liberal Arts at TAU an opportunity to continue their education in New York City at Columbia University through the Transfer Entry application process. In lieu of the traditional third year at TAU, admitted students spend two years enrolled full-time at the School of General Studies, Columbia University's undergraduate college for students pursuing a nontraditional educational path. Students may choose from any one of more than 80 majors offered and will spend their two years at Columbia completing the Core Curriculum, major, and elective requirements. Upon completion of their studies at Columbia, Dual Degree Program students will earn two bachelor's diplomas, one from each institution.

Note: Students who are not currently enrolled in the TAU Lowy International School BA Program in the Liberal Arts are not eligible to apply for the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process. Students who do not meet this necessary criterion but are interested in applying for transfer admission to the Dual Degree Program from another college or university are encouraged to apply through the first-year application process.

All Dual Degree Program students admitted through the first-year application process or through the Transfer Entry application process may transfer up to the equivalent of 60 Columbia University points (credits) from TAU (or other eligible university-level coursework) toward the fulfillment of the Columbia undergraduate degree program. Students may choose from any one of more than 80 majors offered, and will spend their two years at Columbia completing core, major, and elective requirements.

By enrolling in the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process, students demonstrate their commitment to completing both years at Columbia. Students must spend two full years enrolled at Columbia in order to graduate. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a bachelor’s diploma from each institution - one from TAU and another from Columbia University. Please note that both diplomas are conferred upon graduation.

Transitioning to Columbia

Students admitted through the Dual Degree Transfer Entry process will receive extensive support from the School of General Studies in their transition to Columbia University.  For more information, visit the Transition to Columbia page.

Academic Advising

Students admitted to the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process will be assigned an academic advisor from the School of General Studies in the fall semester of their second year at TAU. The academic advisor provides support to newly-admitted students, both by guiding them throughout their transition to Columbia and helping them navigate the completion of Columbia's undergraduate degree requirements.

Upon declaring a major at Columbia, students are assigned a faculty advisor within their major department who assumes responsibility for advising students about courses and requirements for the major. Faculty advisors are also available to students completing minors or concentrations in a particular discipline or program. Each academic department and program at Columbia has a designated Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) who is available for consultation about majors and their requirements. For a full list of the majors and minors offered at Columbia, please visit the Majors and Concentrations page. 

Housing

All Dual Degree Program students are guaranteed housing at Columbia when making the transition from Israel to New York in their third year. Students are not required to sign up for Columbia housing should they prefer to make their own housing arrangements. However, students who initially choose not to take advantage of university housing will not be guaranteed placement at a later date. For more information, visit the Housing page.

Tuition and Financial Aid

During their two years of study at Columbia, Dual Degree Program students will pay Columbia University tuition and fees. All Dual Degree Program students are eligible to apply for financial aid at Columbia, like all other students at the School of General Studies. For more information about financial aid, visit the Types of Aid page.

A number of TAU Lowy International School students are admitted to the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process each year. The Dual Degree Program Transfer Entry admissions process includes a review of the applicant’s academic history, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and a personal essay. 

Eligibility

TAU students enrolled in their first year of undergraduate studies in an approved undergraduate course are eligible to apply to the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process. Strong candidates will have demonstrated academic excellence during their secondary school studies as well as their first year at TAU. In order to be eligible, they must be in good academic standing and have the support of their program. Interested students must confirm their intent to apply to the Dual Degree Program with their TAU Academic Advisor before beginning the application process. Students are advised to do this as soon as possible since it will be necessary to make some changes to their TAU course selection.

  • The transfer application process takes place after students complete their first year of studies in the TAU Lowy International School BA Program in the Liberal Arts. 
  • Students who are not currently enrolled in the TAU Lowy International School BA Program in the Liberal Arts are not eligible to apply for the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry application process. Students who do not meet this necessary criteria but are interested in applying for admission to the Dual Degree Program between Tel Aviv University and Columbia University are encouraged to apply through the first-year application process.
  • Additionally, candidates are not eligible to apply to the Dual Degree Transfer Program, if in the last three years they were rejected by Columbia College or The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Application Timeline - Fall 2025

  • Application Open: TBA for Fall 2025
  • Application Deadline: TBA for Fall 2025

Applying to the Dual Degree Program through the Transfer Entry Process

A complete Transfer Entry application for the Dual Degree Program between Tel Aviv University and Columbia University includes the following:

  • Online application for admission: Create an account and choose "Tel Aviv University Transfer - Fall 2025" from the menu. The $80 application fee will be waived for applicants to this program.
  • Official secondary school transcripts*: 
    • If no final exams were taken during high school, please provide all high school transcripts. All high school academic records should be uploaded to the online application form.
    • Non-English transcripts should be accompanied by an English translation.
    • *Unofficial documents are accepted as part of the application review process. If offered admission, in order to enroll, you will be required to submit official documents.
  • Photocopy of transcripts from Tel Aviv University and any other universities attended, if available: Transcripts must reflect grades earned, as well as the number of units/credits awarded for each course taken. All university transcripts should be uploaded to the online application form.
  • English Proficiency Test Scores: Photocopy of TOEFL IBT results (minimum score of 100), IELTS results (minimum overall score of 7, subscores are not important), Duolingo (minimum score of 120) or CAE C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exam (grade of B or higher) for non-Anglophone students, if applicable. If admitted, students must send official TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo/CAE results to Columbia University.
  • Standardized Testing Scores: Photocopy of SAT or ACT scores, if applicable.
  • CV in English (1-2 pages)
  • Autobiographical essay: Given your experiences as a student preparing to enter your second year at Tel Aviv University, how have you changed in comparison to who you were in high school? How do you imagine an international academic opportunity like the Dual Degree Program with Columbia University might also lead to new experiences that will change you as a scholar and a person?

  • Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources: At least one letter must be written by a Tel Aviv University professor. Letters should be uploaded directly to the online application system by each recommender.  

Applying for Financial Aid for the Transfer Entry Program

Prospective student applicants who wish to request institutional scholarship aid, and who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents must submit both the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are neither citizens nor permanent residents in the U.S. would only be required to complete the CSS Profile. 

To be considered for institutional aid, prospective students should complete the 2025-2026 CSS Profile using Columbia University’s General Studies CSS School Code: 2095.

For consideration for GS institutional aid, complete family and parental information is required on the CSS Profile application from both custodial and non-custodial parents. If the parents have separate households (unmarried, separated, or divorced,) complete financial information for both parental households must be provided on the application.

In addition, once admitted, all incoming Dual Degree Program students applying for financial aid must also submit the Planned Enrollment Form, as described in your acceptance packet. Please note, the Planned Enrollment Form is not accessible to prospective students until they have been accepted.

Please note:

  • The Columbia University School of General Studies CSS School Code is 2095.
  • The Columbia University FAFSA code is 002707.