Application Prerequisites and Required Components

Visit our Application Information page for details on how to apply.

Application Prerequisites

1. An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. 
   1. Applicants may apply while they are finishing up their undergraduate degree coursework.
   2. International students must have their transcripts translated to the US grading system before submission using World Education Services or Education Credential Evaluators. (There is an exception for international programs that use the US grading system. If you are unsure if your program uses the US grading system, please contact our admissions staff at ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu.)
2. Completion of one semester of each of the following courses: biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.
   1. Accompanying laboratories are not required.
   2. One semester of biochemistry is recommended but not required.
3. A TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score for some international applicants.
   1. If your native language is English or your undergraduate degree is from an institution where English is the primary language, you are NOT required to take TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
   2. Official scores must be submitted from the testing site to ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu or the following mailing address: Institute of Human Nutrition, c/o Admissions, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W168th Street, PH1512 East, New York, NY 10032.
   3. ​TOEFL minimum score requirement 100.
   4. IELTS minimum score requirement 7.0.
   5. Duolingo minimum score requirement is 135.
   6. Unofficial score records should be submitted along with your application for initial review. 

Required Application Components

You will be asked for the following items while completing our online application.

1. Unofficial and Official Transcripts from all institutions attended.
   1. Unofficial transcripts are applicant-uploaded transcripts. They may be used in the application review process if official transcripts are pending receipt. They are not required if official transcripts have been submitted.
   2. Official transcripts must be mailed to IHN directly from the institution. 
      1. Electronic copies of official transcripts are preferred and may be sent to ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu. 
      2. Paper copies are accepted and may be mailed to: Institute of Human Nutrition, c/o Admissions, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W168th Street, PH1512 East, New York, NY 10032.
   3. Official transcripts MUST be received before the start of the academic year. Course registration may be affected if official transcripts are not received.
   4. The admissions committee can rescind admissions decisions if official transcripts do not match unofficial versions used during application review. 
2. Two letters of recommendation or a health professions school committee packet.
   1. Applicants who have received a degree in the past five years must provide at least one academic reference from faculty at that institution and are encouraged to provide at least two.
   2. Applicants over five years from their most recent degree are encouraged to provide at least one academic reference; however, it is not required.
   3. We accept medical, dental, and other health profession school committee packets.
   4. Applicants may submit up to three letters of recommendation outside of a letter packet.
3. Application prerequisite items (listed above).
4. A personal statement.
   1. Personal statement prompt: Tell us why you are interested in the Institute’s MS program and how it fits your goals. Please keep your statement to approximately 500 words.  
5. A CV or resume.
6. A nonrefundable $95 application fee.
   1. This fee is submitted online along with a completed application.
   2. Email ihnadmissions@cumc.columbia.edu for information on an application fee waiver.