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Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

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BA Comedy Writing and Performance

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program profile

Study Abroad

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 7, 6:25 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Opens

Common Application opens for Fall 2027Aug 1, 2026

Fall 2027 Applications OpenSep 8, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 priority application deadlineNov 1, 2026

Priority deadline for programs outside the final-deadline groupJan 15, 2027

Freshman · colum.edu Timeline · colum.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the audition.

Deadline

Priority portfolio materials and application deadline (for admission and scholarship review)Jan 15, 2027

Timeline · colum.edu

Scholarship Audition Requirements

Optional audition for scholarship consideration only; it is not required for program admission.

Resume

•Full resume of theatrical, educational, and community activity history

Creative Sample (Optional for Faculty Recognition Award)

•Comedic performance video: 60-90 seconds of original or existing material

•Comedy writing sample: up to five pages

Portfolio And Audition Requirements · colum.eduVerified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

•Submit the college application before uploading portfolio materials

•Common App users should allow 24 hours after submitting Common App before Columbia Connect access is activated

Important Notes

•Fall 2026 applications are closed

•Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 applications open September 8, 2026

•Current 2027 portfolio guidelines are published on Columbia's official requirements page

•Priority application deadline: November 1, 2026

•Portfolio materials for programs not covered by the December 1 deadline are due January 15, 2027 for priority admission and scholarship review

•BA portfolio materials are optional for admission; a submission is required for Faculty Recognition Award consideration

What's The Process

Audition Expectations

•No audition is required for BA program admission

•Video or writing submission is optional and used only for Faculty Recognition Award consideration

•Submit materials through Columbia Connect after your application is processed

Scholarship Info

Faculty Recognition Award

•Columbia College Chicago's talent-based scholarship program for new, incoming students

•Awards range from $500 to full-tuition

•Up to five full-tuition awards available annually

•Renewable each year up to 120 credit hours or four years (requires full-time enrollment, 2.0 GPA, 67% completion rate)

•Applied toward tuition only

•Available only to students who submit portfolio/audition materials

School Info

Snapshot

3.52

Avg GPA (W)

89%

Admit Rate

school-wide

52%

Grad Rate

5.4K

Enrollment

$42K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Tuition & Fees

$37,390

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$66,290

Before aid

Average Net Price

$26,598

After aid

Official source College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•Collaborative partnership between School of Theatre and Dance, School of Film and Television, and The Second City

•Comedy cross-training concept: writer/director/performers who create work across mediums

•Focuses on shifting between roles of writer, performer, and producer/director

Notable Alumni

•Aidy Bryant '09 — writer and actor for Saturday Night Live; star of Hulu's Shrill

Professional Development

•Seventeen-year partnership with The Second City for semester-long comedy immersion

•Builds on successful tradition of teaching Improvisation and Sketch Comedy

•96% of 2023 graduates employed or pursuing creative practice within one year

Updated Aug 7, 6:25 PM