I got a like letter from Columbia two days ago. The very next day there was an email fro Columbia saying that I am also likely to be named a Science Research Fellow upon admission. They also invited me to visit the campus in late April. I quote from the email:
“Provided our upcoming review finds that you are maintaining your current level of academic progress and good standing and that you are admitted on March 30, we would be pleased to acknowledge your distinction as one of the year’s most talented applicants to Columbia College by funding your domestic travel to campus for Columbia College Days on Campus and the Columbia Science Scholars Experience, to be held from April 23 through April 25, 2017.”
I had two questions regarding this:
(1) Do I register for my visit to campus now or after getting my final decision regarding admission?
I’m asking this because the visa application is very unlikely to be completed withing 2-3 weeks; in that case, I won’t be able to visit this magnificent campus even if I wanted to.
So, do I register for a visit and get a head start on my visa application now?
(2) Will Columbia fund the costs for two-way flight expenses (back and forth)?
Are you from outside the US?
Yes, I am from Bangladesh.
The wording of the email got me too, but I would call the travel agent in the email just to confirm that everything will be paid for.
It says “domestic travel” which means within the US, so you will probably find that they wouldn’t pay for you to come from Bangladesh, unfortunately. Congratulations on your acceptance!
@Supantho congrats! i got a likely letter too on march 2. for your questions
- Registration for the Columbia College Days opens late March (I think it said March 30 on the Columbia Blue website?). So you can only register then. But if you can make it, you can make your travel arrangements now. If you can’t, you can still visit the campus, just not as soon as when the College Days are.
- I didn’t get into the scholar program, so my email didn’t say they will fund my travel expenses (even though I’m from the states :/). But I agree with what has been said above already - they probably will not fund international travel. But you can always shoot them an email.
P.S. email the specific admission officer on the Columbia Blue website instead of the general admissions email - it’s a faster response that way
Yes @captainfaker, they aren’t funding my international travel 
Just talked to an admissions officer.
Congrats on your LL and subsequent acceptance :).
Hey @captainfaker, I received a likely letter this week as well as an email offering to fund my domestic travel expenses. Does that mean I got into the scholar program? ‘Scholar’ wasn’t mentioned anywhere. I’m not sure exactly what the scholar program is and how it works?
@Supantho Congrats! Maybe I will see you at Columbia Days if you choose to go. 
Haha @spicycactus true Not sure if I’ll go yet tho
But definitely up for it.
@spicycactus i dont think so. i think that in order for you to be named a scholar, the email has to explicitly say that you are named a scholar – at least that’s what one of my friends who got into seas had. her email told her that her travel would be paid for and that she is named a scholar.
the benefits of the scholar programs depends on what type of scholar you are. for example, for one of them (rabi i think?), you are guaranteed first-year research opportunities and research funding for four years. but according to my friend who currently attends columbia, basically everyone has that opportunity anyways. so i guess the benefits of the scholar program are best described as small privileges
Do all of the science research fellows get this invitation + letter?
Hey everyone! I got a likely letter from columbia for cc but there was no mention of them paying for travel. Does this mean that they won’t pay for a ticket?
Hey, @banditrabbit congrats. As far as I know, only the nominated scholars 1 are usually given an opportunity to have their domestic travel to visit campus funded by Columbia.
I got a likely letter a couple of weeks ago, if you are designated a Science Research Fellow it says so in the letter and there is a link to the program in your Columbia Blue website. I was able to sign up for Days on Campus and the Science Scholars Experience immediately and since I am from NYC, they offered to pay for my subway fare
That’s great @RossiHero. Congratulations!!
I was designated a Science Research Fellow too. But since I am an international student, Columbia won’t pay my travel cost from my home to NYC. Most likely I won’t be able to attend Days on Campus and the Science Scholars Experience