Apply for Admission and Scholarships
Admission criteria
Each year our goal is to assemble a dynamic and diverse incoming class while paying attention to the merits of each individual applicant. We look for evidence of academic ability and preparedness, personal character, and meaningful extracurricular involvement. We will provide a thoughtful and holistic review of all your application materials, and your admission counselor is always available to answer your questions. When you apply to Cornell, you'll automatically be considered for merit scholarships.
If you have not completed a college-prep curriculum, we recommend your transcript reflects that you have:
- 4 years of English.
- 3 years of math (preferably two in algebra and one in geometry) OR Algebra II.
- 3 years of social science (history, government, economics, psychology, etc.).
- 3 years of science (preferably two lab science courses).
- 2 years of foreign language (preferred, but not required, in the same language).
Your admission counselor will consider your full application (all submitted materials) when making the final admission decision.
What if you can't take the ACT or SAT? You can still apply.
Cornell is test-optional. You can use the Cornell Application or the Common Application to apply, be admitted, and get your financial aid award all without ACT or SAT scores.
“Having the option of not submitting a standardized score made me feel more confident. I say this because I know that I have more potential than my exam may have portrayed and I really appreciated that I didn’t have to submit it.” - MkpoutoAbasi James
We are currently accepting applications for the following terms:
Fall 2021
Application Deadline
May 1, 2021, additional applications accepted while space available.
First day of class
August 23, 2021
APPLY AS A FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
(This is the first time attending college full-time.)
APPLY AS A TRANSFER STUDENT
(You've attended college full-time somewhere else.)
APPLY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
(Your permanent residence is outside the United States.)