Columbia Law School has introduced a new requirement for international Juris Doctor (JD) applicants: a statement explaining why they wish to study in the United States. The change, set to take effect for the fall 2026 admissions cycle, comes as part of the University’s $220 million settlement with the federal government, finalized on July 23, 2025.
According to Columbia Spectator, the University agreed with the Trump administration to ensure international applicants are asked questions designed to reveal their motivations for studying in the US.
A new application landscape
The Law School’s application now instructs international students to submit a personal statement addressing their reasons for studying in the US, and it must be submitted electronically at the time of the initial application.
Other Columbia schools, including Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, have not yet added similar requirements for the current 2025-26 cycle, as their applications had already gone live by the time the settlement was finalized.
A University official told Columbia Spectator that these schools plan to update their applications in the next admissions cycle. A University spokesperson emphasized that the new question is part of a broader compliance effort. In statements shared with Columbia Spectator, the spokesperson noted that applications will provide international students the opportunity to explain their interest in pursuing studies in the US, while future admissions cycles will reflect these updates more broadly.
Trump’s role in reshaping admissions
The settlement reflects a broader federal push under President Donald Trump to scrutinize international student enrollment. Columbia’s agreement requires the University not only to ask applicants why they wish to study in the US but also to examine its business model and reduce financial dependence on international students. The financial stakes are significant: in 2023, international students contributed roughly $903 million to
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