Admission > Apply to Cornell > Apply as an International Student

International Student Application Process

Whether you're from France or China, Brazil or Tanzania, Cornell is a great place to learn, make new friends, and get involved in campus activities. Our students come from more than 20 countries and nearly every state.

At Cornell, you'll live with other students in campus residence halls, as do most of our students, in charming Mount Vernon , Iowa. We are a diverse campus, and our Office of Intercultural Life is just one of the many groups ready to help you fit in and feel at home.

Admission Materials

International students follow the same application process as U.S. citizens, with two additional steps:

Submit Test Scores

If English is not your primary language, you must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or STEP score. Minimum TOEFL scores are: 79 (Internet), 213 (computer), 550 (paper). Recommended TOEFL scores are: 100 (Internet), 250 (computer), 600 (paper). The minimum IELTS score is 6.0; the recommended IELTS score is 7.0. The minimum STEP score is Grade Pre-1; the recommended STEP score is Grade 1. You may also wish to submit an SAT or ACT score to enhance your application and for scholarship consideration, but you are not required to do so.

If English is your primary language, you must submit an SAT or ACT score -- one of many factors we will consider. Recommended SAT score: 1030. Recommended ACT score: 22.

Cornell's TOEFL and SAT codes: 6119, ACT code: 1296
Submit Financial Information
In order to be considered at Cornell, you must complete the International Student Financial Aid Application, International Student Certification of Finances, and provide supporting financial documents in U.S. dollars.

Application Dates and Deadlines

We encourage you to apply as early as possible to avoid delays in international mail delivery. Our application schedule for first-year students and our schedule for transfer students are the same for international and U.S. applicants. International applications postmarked by February 1 will receive priority in our regular decision processing and possibly earlier notification of our decision. Applications postmarked after March 1 will be considered, but the process may be delayed.

Visa Information

Most international students enter Cornell College under the F-1 student program. Cornell College will issue the necessary I-20 forms to all admitted students who have provided sufficient financial documentation. More complete details will be included with the offer of admission.

Application Assistance

We encourage you to schedule time at your nearest EducationUSA Education Advising Center for help with your application. We also invite you to contact Marie Schofer, Cornell's international student recruiter, with any questions you have about applying to Cornell.