The College Advising Center is an appointment-driven office for current students. To book an appointment, login to MyColumbia > MyBookings > Academic Services
section > College Advising - SSC > Login > Get Assistance >
follow prompted steps. Book with your assigned academic advisor.
If you are switching majors or would like a hand with the online appointment system, you can call 312.369.7645 or stop by our front desk in Suite 300, 623 S. Wabash.
If you’re an incoming new student or a returning-interrupt student, email your academic advisor first. Include your Student ID Number.
If you have an urgent question that cannot wait, please call our front desk for assistance. Be ready with your Student ID Number.
Information regarding the Essential Liberal Arts and Sciences Core can be found in the catalog.
A placement test is not required to register for a language course. Students who have registration questions about a foreign language course should contact Oscar Valdez, Academic Scheduling Coordinator, at ovaldez@colum.edu or 312-369-7690.
To determine the most appropriate placement in mathematics, students without previously-earned, college-level mathematics credit are required to complete the ALEKS assessment.
New, incoming students will find a link to ALEKS on their Columbia Connect portals after they submit their tuition deposit. New and current students access ALEKS with the same login credentials they use for their Columbia email accounts.
Use this link if you do not need the assistance of a screen reader. Use this link only if you prefer to use a screen reader.
ALEKS is not a test—at least not in the usual sense. It’s a dynamic assessment that adjusts to your skill level as you answer questions. The assessment consists of 30 questions. Most students complete it in fewer than 90 minutes, but you’ll have three hours in case you need to take a short break. Once you’ve finished, you’ll have access to learning modules that can help you brush up for your next attempt. That’s right: You can take the assessment more than once—in fact, we encourage you to do that.
FINANCIAL HOLDS: You might have one or more financial holds blocking your registration due to missing documents, signatures, and/or payments. These include Account Management Holds, SFS Registration/Trans Holds, Registration/Transcript/Diploma Holds, Out of School Holds, and Collect Agency Holds. Please contact the experts at Columbia Central at 312-369-7140 to assist you with any of these financial holds on your account. Be ready with your Student ID Number.
IMMUNIZATION HOLD: The college is missing proof of your immunization shots. Please see the Immunization webpage for details or contact Columbia Central at columbiacentral@colum.edu or 312.369.7140 about your case.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) – WARNING or DISMISSAL: To continue to enroll for future semesters at Columbia, you must maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress” – or SAP. That means your cumulative-GPA has to hit 2.0 at the end of each semester, you have to finish what credits you start by avoiding too many “F” grades or Withdrawals from courses, and you cannot stay in college “forever” –basically, you cannot exceed a total of 180 Attempted Credits for a degree that requires 120 Earned Credits. SAP is serious.
CAREFULLY READ YOUR SAP HOLD NOTICE IN MyCOLUMBIA AND FOLLOW ITS DIRECTIONS. Also, consult with your Academic Advisor ASAP to strategize your best way forward if you’ve fallen out of SAP compliance. You can email or book an appointment with your advisor here.
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT HOLD (OR, FOR 2ND BA STUDENTS, COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT HOLD): You must submit your official final high school transcript to the Office of Admissions. Ask your high school to send your official transcript to Columbia College Chicago Admissions at 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. All transcripts received by mail or in person must be in the original sealed envelope from the school. Columbia also accepts transcripts—when sent directly from the institution—via email to admissions@colum.edu or via fax to 312.369.8024. Students seeking a 2ND Bachelor's degree at Columbia must submit their official final college transcript to the Undergraduate Admissions office as well. Contact Columbia Central at columbiacentral@colum.edu or 312.369.7140 for clarification on your hold.
DEAN OF STUDENTS HOLD: Please visit the Dean of Students Office for details about your hold ASAP. Go to that office’s reception desk in Room 303 of 623 S. Wabash or call that office’s receptionist at 312.369.8595. Have your Student ID Number ready and tell the receptionist you are following up on your Dean of Students Hold.
LIBRARY HOLD: This hold won’t block your registration, but you should contact the Library to find out what you owe – materials and/or fines. This hold will, however, block you from obtaining your diploma and/or official transcript.