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Application & Tuition

Our program catalogue inlcudes the following courses:

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Foundations of Dialogue Course
▹ March 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2026

APPLY NOW
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Advanced Dialogue and Research Course
▹ July 2026 (Session A)
▹ August 2026 (Session B)

NOW CLOSED

Eligibility

High school students (current 11th and 12th graders) are eligible for our programs. We do not currently offer a residential option with housing on the Columbia campus. Please note that seats for our programs are limited to keep class sizes small.

Requirements

Applicants will be asked to submit the following materials:

  • A recommendation letter from a high school instructor/advisor or a self-nomination. Self-nominations are 2-minute-long, self-recorded video essays uploaded to the application portal.

  • Copy of the most recent high school transcript or a report card.

  • CV or resume with work experience, school, and extracurricular activities.

Deadlines

Foundations of Dialogue Course Deadlines:

  • Application Portal Opens:
    January 5, 2026

  • Rolling Admissions Begin:
    January 26, 2026

  • Final Application Deadline:
    February 23, 2026


We anticipate hosting two additional intensive courses in the summer of 2026.

Advanced Dialogue and Research Course Deadlines:

  • Application Portal Opens:
    Early May 2026 (Session A)
    Early June 2026     (Session B)

Note: We begin admitting candidates to our courses when rolling admissions open. Applicants are advised not to wait until the final deadline. Late submissions may not be considered for an active admissions cycle.

Applicants may extend requests to their recommenders as soon as they are ready to apply. A grace period of 1 week will be given for the receipt of recommendations after the deadline. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed and given full consideration.

Tuition

Foundations of Dialogue Course

Program Tuition $2000
Course Materials $100
Health Fee $30

TOTAL $2130

Advanced Dialogue and Research Course

Program Tuition $3200
Course Materials $100
Health Fee $30

TOTAL $3330

Deposit
Accepted applicants (excluding scholarship recipients) must submit a non-refundable deposit ($1,000), credited towards tuition when they accept our admissions offer.

Course Policies

Payments and Financial Responsibility
After the deposit has been paid, admitted students will receive a Parent Responsibility Agreement and an invoice for the remaining balance. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the program start date. We require parents/guardians to take responsibility for their students' tuition in accordance with a university-wide policy for minors. An agreement will be provided to students for their parents to sign and return. The sample version of the form can be viewed here.

Attendance Policy
If students are unable to attend on any day of the program, please let us know as soon as possible. Keep in mind that we cannot prorate or discount tuition, or offer special materials to cover missed classes. Personal emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Withdrawal Policy
Students must ensure they can attend before accepting their offer. Students who accept their offer and begin the program have two days to withdraw without penalty (non-refundable deposit excluded). If withdrawal occurs after 5:00 pm on the second day of the program, students are responsible for the full tuition. Please contact our program staff if you have any concerns.

More Questions?
Please read our FAQ page.

CREATE APPLICATION

Note: Applicants will be asked to create a profile (opens in a new window) and upload their materials.