Deadlines vary based on the World Area of Concentration:
- Middle East: February 13, 2020, 1:00 P.M. ET
- East Asia: February 26, 2020, 1:00 P.M. ET
- South Asia: February 26, 2020, 1:00 P.M. ET
Only completed applications submitted by the deadline will be considered. Please read carefully all directions and information for the online application. You must upload all items electronically with the exception of the letters of recommendation, which the recommenders must upload directly to the application, email to gsas-fellowships [at] columbia.edu, or mail to the following address:
Sarah Jackman
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
107 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
If you are applying to more than one fellowship through this application portal, you must treat each application separately by uploading all items and having recommenders submit a separate letter for each fellowship application.
Applications must include the following items:
- Completed GSAS online application form
- Statement of purpose: The one- or two-page statement of purpose should describe your academic purpose, the role the proposed language plays within that academic purpose, and how you intend to use the language. Describe how the language and area study will relate to your educational and career goals. Also indicate previous language experience, both formal and informal.
- Two letters of recommendation: GSAS prefers that recommenders submit their letters of recommendation electronically to expedite processing. When you enter the names and email addresses of recommenders, they will automatically receive an email with upload information and instructions. You can resend a request by clicking the "Send Reminder" button. Two Letters of Recommendation are required, preferably from instructors who can comment on your work in the target language and appropriate world area. Please make sure that recommenders are given ample time to submit recommendations by the deadline, and notify them if you are applying for more than one fellowship.
- Academic transcripts: You must upload scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
Below are some suggestions for how to upload a transcript:
- Scan at the lowest DPI that results in a legible document (we recommend using 200 DPI or less whenever possible).
- Ensure that the institution name and other identifying marks are included and that your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on letter-size paper (8 ½" x 11").
- Include the transcript legend (found on the final page, in many cases).
- Save your document as a PDF file.
- Make certain that its size is less than 1 MB. Scanning in “grayscale” or black and white may produce the best results.
- If the scanned file is too large, make a photocopy first (experiment with different settings until you find one that results in the smallest file size), then scan the photocopy.
- You may upload an institutional web-based transcript/academic record.
- The GSAS Fellowship application does not accept encrypted files for upload. If you receive an error message noting that your file is encrypted, please print your transcript, scan it, and then upload the scanned copy. Note: Official Columbia transcript PDFs are encrypted; you may order a paper copy through SSOL or print the official transcript PDF you receive from Parchment, then scan and upload it.
Recommended but not required:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Letter of language evaluation: For applicants who are at the intermediate or advanced level of proficiency, but not enrolled in a language department, a letter of evaluation from a language instructor attesting to proficiency in the language of application is recommended but not required. Evaluators must submit their letters electronically in the manner described above for letters of recommendation.
If you have questions that are not answered here, please check the FLAS FAQs on the GSAS website. If you require further information, please email gsas-fellowships [at] columbia.edu.
Note: Columbia students travelling abroad to conduct research, enroll in foreign language or other courses, or attend conferences must register with International SOS, an emergency services program that helps with unexpected medical or security issues, prior to departure.