MASTER

OF SCIENCE IN ADVANCED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

(MSAAD)

MSAAD CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED MATERIALS

! Submitted online application
! Transcript(s)
! Letters of recommendation (3)
! Statement of Purpose
! Portfolio
! TOEFL (For international students who do not meet the conditions listed below)

DEADLINE
The online application should be submitted by 11:59pm EST on January 15th. All supplemental
materials should be postmarked by this date.

APPLICATION FEE
A $75 non-refundable application fee is required. This fee is submitted online and can be paid by
Visa or MasterCard. Checks are not accepted.

TRANSCRIPTS
A transcript from each university attended and credit earned is required.

You may upload a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record to your online application
prior to submitting the application. Please refer to the details below before proceeding. You
should not mail in a copy of a transcript or academic record that you have already uploaded.
You will not be required to submit an official copy of your transcript unless you are admitted
and choose to enroll in the school.

We encourage you to upload a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record (as opposed
to sending a hardcopy) in order to save you time and ensure that a record of your academic
progress is included with your submitted application. Not only does this eliminate the need to
have a transcript mailed to us during the initial processing and review of your application, it
precludes any delays resulting from the non-receipt of a transcript.

Transcripts that are in a language other than English should be translated into English. The
translation must be certified as an accurate translation of the original and be should notarized
or otherwise authenticated. Both the non-English and translated copies of your transcript
should be uploaded. The Uploading and Mailing options for submitting academic
transcripts are discussed in detail below.

Uploading a scanned copy of your transcript or academic record
+ Please scan a current copy of your transcript at the lowest dpi that results in a legible
document (we recommend to use under 200 dpi whenever possible).
+ You must ensure that the institution name and other identifying marks are not missed during
the scanning process and that your scanned copy is clearly legible and can print on US Letter size

paper (8 " x 11")

+ You will want to ensure that you also include the transcript legend (back page in most cases).
+ You will want to be certain that your document is saved as a PDF file.
+ You will want to ensure that its size is less then 500kb (0.5mb). Scanning in gray scale or
black and white may produce the best results.
+ If the scanned file is too large then you may want to make a photocopy first (experiment with
different settings until you find one that results in the smallest file size), then scan the
photocopy. Or you can email the larger file to mail_arch@columbia.edu.

Mailing a copy of your transcript or academic record
Mailed transcripts must be submitted in sealed envelopes. Please mail your transcripts to the
following address:

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University
Office of Admissions
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Three letters are required for the Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design.
Recommenders may submit their letters electronically through our application system. If your
recommender does not wish to submit their recommendation letters online, letters can be
submitted on the recommenders own stationary and be sent directly to the school. The GSAPP
does not have a special form to fill out or specific questions to answer. The recommender
should include the applicants full name and program of study in the body of the letter.
Envelopes must be sealed with the writers signature across the flap. Please have paper
recommendations sent directly to:

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University
Office of Admissions
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

PERSONAL STATEMENT
Personal statements should describe your background, past work in your intended field of study,
plans for graduate study and professional career, if applicable. If you are presently in a graduate
program at another university, please explain why you wish to leave. If you have not yet come
to a decision about your career, or if your plans are tentative, please do not hesitate to say so.

RESUME
Although resumes are not required, you may submit one if you wish.

PORTFOLIO
All applicants must submit a portfolio containing reproductions of original drawings, prints,
graphic design, or sculpture. Portfolios must not exceed 8 X 11 inches (22 X 28cm) or be more
than inch (1.25cm) thick. Large portfolios with glass or protruding metal parts, slides, DVDs, or
CDs are not accepted. Portfolios must be marked with the applicants full name. Portfolios
should be mailed directly to the following address:

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University
Office of Admissions
400 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027


TEST SCORES

TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL):
All applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) exam. Information can be obtained by contacting TOEFL/ TSE Services, phone
1-877-863-3546 (inside US) or (609) 771-7100 (outside US) or by web www.ets.org/toefl.

International students who have successfully completed two years of study in an institution
where English was the primary language of instruction may waive the TOEFL exam requirement
provided they can submit relevant transcripts. The GSAPP does not accept the IELTS in lieu of
the TOEFL exam.

A minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100
on the internet-based test is required for admission.

The institution code is 2164 and Dept. Code 12.

GPA
The GSAPP does not have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA).

PREREQUISITES
All applicants for admission to the Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design must
have a BARCH or MARCH degree.

DUAL DEGREES
The MSAAD program is a stand-alone program and cannot be completed in conjunction with any
other degree at the GSAPP or in the University.