Decoding Columbia University’s 2026 Senior Fly-In ProgramsA Gold Standard Opportunity
Apply for Columbia’s EPC & STARS 2026 fly-in programs. 100% free, dual travel funding, plus a guaranteed $85 application fee waiver. Learn more on Potenue!
When an Ivy League institution offers an all-expenses-paid trip to campus, there is usually a massive pile of fine print.
- Age limit
- There is no strict calendar age limit, but you must be a rising high school senior (entering your final year of high school in Fall 2026, aiming for Fall 2027 college enrollment).
Can you apply?
Applicants are restricted by a strict institutional rule: You may only apply to one of Columbia’s fly-in programs. Submitting to both will invalidate your profile. Choose your track strategically based on these criteria:
Track 1: Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC)
- Designed For: High-achieving rising seniors with a sincere interest in pursuing a rigorous engineering or applied science education.
- Target Demographic: Priority is given to students from low-income or historically underrepresented backgrounds who have had less exposure to engineering resources.
- Academic Threshold: Requires an exemplary academic transcript showing mastery in math and science, specifically including advanced coursework in Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry.
Track 2: The STARS Fly-In
- Designed For: High-achieving rising seniors who want to experience Ivy League academics and Columbia’s famous century-old Core Curriculum discussions.
- Target Demographic: Specifically built for students who have primarily grown up in rural areas or small towns that are traditionally underserved in higher education, particularly those who have never had the chance to visit New York City.
- Academic Threshold: Exemplary overall high school transcript across humanities and sciences.
Applying
Common questions
Is this opportunity funded?
If selected, Columbia funds and coordinates round-trip airfare, rail, or ground transit not just for the student, but also for one parent or guardian.
Who can apply?
Age:
- There is no strict calendar age limit, but you must be a rising high school senior (entering your final year of high school in Fall 2026, aiming for Fall 2027 college enrollment).
How do I apply?
Apply directly on the official website: undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu. Potenue does not collect applications.
Full description
When an Ivy League institution offers an all-expenses-paid trip to campus, there is usually a massive pile of fine print. But Columbia University’s senior fly-in initiatives—the Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC) and the STARS Fly-In—are the rare exception to the rule.
Run directly by Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, these programs feature absolutely zero hidden charges, zero application fees, and zero catch-packages. Instead of hiding costs, these programs are heavily funded to remove socio-economic and geographic barriers for high-achieving rising high school seniors.
However, because the benefits are so significant, Columbia enforces structural constraints and strict application rules that you must understand before applying.
The 2026 Milestone Timeline
- Application Deadline: Monday, July 20, 2026 (Strict)
- Engineering Preview at Columbia (EPC) Dates: Sunday, October 11 – Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- STARS Fly-In Dates: Saturday, October 17 – Monday, October 19, 2026
Can International Students Apply? (The Real Catch)
- No. These specific in-person fly-in programs are strictly reserved for students currently residing and attending high school in the United States or U.S. territories (including undocumented/DACA students living in the U.S.).
- Note: International students living outside the U.S. cannot apply for the all-expenses-paid trip, but they can still access Columbia’s global virtual admissions workshops.
Degree Requirement
- None (yet!) Because this is an undergraduate recruiting initiative, applicants do not need a college degree. However, you must be on track to earn your high school diploma by Spring 2027.
- The Academic Gate: While a formal degree isn’t needed, Columbia requires a high academic threshold. You must submit a school-issued transcript showing an exemplary academic track record (and for the Engineering Preview, specific advanced high school coursework in Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry).
All quick facts
- Age & School Year Limit
- There is no strict calendar age limit, but you must be a rising high school senior (entering your final year of high school in Fall 2026, aiming for Fall 2027 college enrollment).
- Dual-Travel Funding
- If selected, Columbia funds and coordinates round-trip airfare, rail, or ground transit not just for the student, but also for one parent or guardian.
- Full Hospitality Coverage
- Free hotel lodging and all meals/snacks on campus are fully covered for the entire 3-day, 2-night itinerary.
- The Strategic Secret Perk
- Every single student who submits an application to a Columbia fly-in program receives an automatic application fee waiver for Columbia’s general undergraduate admissions process. Even if you are not selected to fly to New York City, simply applying instantly saves you the standard $85 college application fee in the winter!
