Prospective Students

By simply walking down the street, hopping on a subway, or jumping into a cab, students at the Mailman School can enjoy one of the most culturally rich, diverse classrooms in the world—New York City. As the home to world renowned museums and historic theaters, eclectic restaurants and bustling cafés, multicultural music and dance performances - and every type of experience and entertainment in between - students have the opportunity to participate in and absorb the City’s vibrant energy. As an added benefit, a Columbia student ID provides free or discounted admission to many of the City’s cultural events.

A City of Endless Possibilities

In addition to offering students an unparalleled cultural experience, the diversity of communities throughout New York City provides unlimited opportunities to gain hands-on experience across the spectrum of public health research and practice. While pursuing their studies, students are able to work in the field through partnerships the School has formed with local organizations, leading nonprofits, city and state agencies, and numerous health centers, to meet the health needs of communities throughout the City.
One such partnership is The Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Network, funded by the New York State Department of Health, which works to reduce tobacco use through evidence-based smoking cessation treatment programs. A related study with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene led by Donna Shelley, MD, MPH ’99, assistant professor of clinical Sociomedical Sciences and former director of the City’s Tobacco Control Program, targets tobacco use among Chinese Americans living in Flushing, Queens - a population whose smoking rates among men are 50 percent higher than those of the City’s general population.

Making a Difference

Through the Mailman School’s Columbia Center for Homelessness Prevention Studies, a collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, the New York City Department of Homeless Services, and several schools throughout the University, students interested in addressing the plight of homeless individuals have the opportunity to conduct research aimed at preventing chronic homelessness among people with severe mental illness.

Selected List of New York City-based Partners

• American Cancer Society
• American Museum of Natural History
• Children’s Aid Society
• Fresh Youth Initiatives
• Gay Men’s Health Crisis
• Global Business Coalition
• Council Human Rights Watch
• International Rescue Committee
• March of Dimes
• Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• New York Academy of Medicine
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Planned Parenthood of New York City
• The Population Council
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• UNAIDS
• West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc.