AIRES / Admissions
How to apply
to AIRES.
Find deadlines, eligibility and application requirements for AIRES Summer and the AI Entrepreneurship Winter Bootcamp, Los Angeles.
01 / Full application
Summer 2027 application guide
Deadlines
Key dates & decisions
- Priority application deadline
- February 5, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
- Priority decision release
- Applicants who submit by February 5 will receive their admission and, if requested, financial aid decisions by February 26, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Rolling admissions
- Applications received after February 5 will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive their admission decision within one week of submission.
- Accepting an offer and paying the deposit
- Applicants must accept or decline their AIRES offer within two weeks of receiving it. To accept, students must also pay the $750 non-refundable deposit within that period.
Before accepting an offer: the tuition-refund request cutoff is April 1, 2027. The $750 deposit remains non-refundable. Review the deposit and refund terms, including documented exceptions and late-admission payments, before making a payment.
Who can apply
Eligibility
- School status and age
- Applicants must be current high school students. Students attending Columbia must be at least 15 years old on the first day of their selected session.
- English proficiency
- Students must be able to participate fully in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
- Grade level
- Open to students currently in Grades 9–11 or the international equivalent. Priority consideration is given to students currently in Grades 10–11. Grade 9 applicants will be considered if they demonstrate strong academic performance, rigorous coursework, and meaningful extracurricular involvement.
What to submit
Application requirements
AIRES considers each application as a whole, taking into account the opportunities and circumstances that have shaped a student’s experience. Essays and short responses help us understand applicants’ curiosity, initiative, and perspective beyond their academic record and activities.
- Activities list
- Three essay responses, each no more than 150 words
- School transcript, official or unofficial
- One recommender who will complete a brief AIRES Recommendation Form
Saving is not submitting.
Your application will only be considered after you click Submit Application on the Review page.
If applicable
Optional components
English proficiency test scores
Students may submit available scores, such as TOEFL or the Duolingo English Test. Taking an English proficiency test is not required to apply to AIRES; applicants without scores may leave this section blank.
Need-based financial aid
Students seeking financial aid must complete the financial aid section of the online application. Submit by the February 5 priority deadline for financial aid consideration.
02 / Brief application
How to apply to the AI Entrepreneurship Winter Bootcamp, Los Angeles
- Enrollment
- Eligible applicants are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis until spaces are filled. A brief application is required for an initial eligibility and preparation review.
- Eligibility
- For high school students in Grades 9–12 at the start of the program.
- Learning pathway
- This short bootcamp focuses on Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Students work toward an initial product prototype as their final deliverable.
- Foundational preparation
Students choosing Robotics & Intelligent Machines must have prior knowledge and experience in coding and robotics so they can participate effectively in the intensive format.
Prior coding experience is not required for Biomedicine & Health or Business & Society, although students with relevant experience may receive priority consideration.
- Format
- Day/commuter program.
03 / Consultation first
Year-Round 1:1 AI Engineering Mentorship
Your interests. Your project. Individual mentorship that develops the AI and engineering skills your work needs.
This program is particularly suited to students seeking hands-on engineering experience, developing a software or physical product, or preparing projects for science fairs and entrepreneurship or business case competitions. Individualized mentorship can also support students who want to explore a technical interest, strengthen practical skills, or develop an existing idea through prototyping, testing, and refinement.
- Eligibility
- Open to middle and high school students from Grade 6 to Grade 12, at all experience levels. Instruction and project scope are tailored to each student’s preparation and goals.
- Enrollment
- Ongoing, beginning with a consultation.
- Locations
- Los Angeles · Boston · New York · SF Bay Area · Toronto