Informational Bulletins
International Students: About the Application Process
International Students and U.S. Citizens Abroad
Are you an international student, Canadian, or citizen of the U.S. living abroad? Our applicants are an eclectic group, including international students who have moved between several countries or schools, U.S. citizens who have lived most of their lives abroad, or non-U.S. citizens completing school in the U.S. We hope that this information will address the questions you have as your consider applying to Cornell.
First, we do not read applications by citizenship or visa type, but by school and region. Your application will be read in the context of the school you attend and similar schools by selection committees that read applications from outside the U.S. Since international students have been coming to Cornell since the university opened, we are familiar with most educational systems. However, schools do change programs and grading, so please do encourage your school to send a brief profile describing the curriculum, whether admission to the school is selective, etc.
If you are wondering what factors we’re looking for when we read applications, see the admission tips available from this site. The statement “What We Look For” applies to international students also, and “High School Choices, College Chances” describes the kind of secondary school program we look for.
Applying as a Freshman
You apply to Cornell as a freshman if you’ll complete secondary school during the current academic year, if you’re seeking admission after your junior year at a secondary school, or if you’ve graduated from secondary school but have been enrolled full-time at a college or university for less than half a year.
Application Forms
Make sure to read the application instructions for first year students, as you are expected to submit all items required of freshmen students.
All admission candidates complete the Common Application and Cornell Supplement by the January deadline with the $70 application fee or request for a waiver . To request a fee waiver send a brief letter with your application providing family income, and the number dependent on the income.
If you are overseas, don’t wait for the deadline; ask for recommendations and transcripts much earlier in the fall and try to register for SATs over the summer! This is especially important if your school will be closed for vacation at the time of the January 1 deadline.
Complete the Common Application and Cornell University Supplement (with essays). Follow all the instructions listed at: http://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/firstyear/instructions.cfm
If you have access to the internet, it will expedite the process if you can apply on line.
Required Records
We want to review at least 3 years of secondary school records that list subjects you studied and marks received for each subject. State or national tests or other external exams taken should be included also (G.C.S.E., Hong Kong Certificate of Education, ICSE (India), etc. If there is a provincial, national or other board exam you will take on completing school (A-Levels, Higher Secondary Certificate, I.B., German Abitur, etc.) please ask the school official who completes your secondary school report to include predicted marks.
Note especially:
- We require official records issued by your school, or for test results, the testing board. If not in English, you must provide a translation.
- If you have attended more than one school, you should request a separate transcript from each school.
- If you have completed a special project, submit a one-page summary and letter of recommendation from the teacher or other person who supervised the project. Lengthy bound documents cannot be included with applications.
- Applications submitted with unofficial records or test scores, or without translations will be withdrawn from consideration.
Test Requirements
SAT - All freshman applicants to Cornell are required to submit official results of either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing. Requirements for SAT II Subject Tests vary according to the college at Cornell to which you apply. See the college-specific testing requirements found in the Freshman Application Instructions on the admissions web site at admissions.cornell.edu/apply. In order to be official, reports of test scores must be submitted directly to Cornell from the testing agency. Please note that standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and SAT IIs) are not required for transfer applicants.
If English is not your first language, you will need:
- Score from TOEFL or IELTS
- One of your letters of recommendation must be from an English teacher.
TOEFL or IELTS is required for:
• Applicants outside the U.S. whose first language is not English, including students attending English medium schools.
TOEFL or IELTS is recommended for:
• Applicants whose first language is not English, who are enrolled in secondary schools and colleges or universities in the U.S. (unless they will have completed more than two years of secondary and/or post-secondary schooling in the U.S.).
TOEFL or IELTS is waived for:
• Applicants who score 670 or higher on the critical reading portion of the SAT.
• Applicants who have studied for two or more years in a country where English is the first language (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, U.K.).
• Applicants who have completed more than two years of secondary
and/or post-secondary schooling in the U.S.
Interviews
A personal interview is required of applicants to the Department of Architecture ( www.aap.cornell.edu) and applicants to the School of Hotel Administration ( www.hotelschool.cornell.edu). Candidates for Architecture and Hotel Administration must contact the college directly concerning the interview and/or portfolio requirement.
Extracurricular Activities
Please list your activities in the format indicated on the Common Application. We are interested in how you have chosen to spend your time, any musical talent, community involvement, work, leadership, etc. If you want us to know more, use the space on the Common Application to provide a brief description. For very significant activities, you may submit a recommendation from a coach, music or art teacher, employer, etc. Information submitted should describe involvement or your contribution to the organization or activity and the reasons you find it important. Merit certificates, pictures of award ceremonies, etc., will not be reviewed by the selection committee.
Important Tips
1. Place your name on each page of documents sent.
2. Use the same version of your name as it is listed on your passport, on all application forms and test scores. Materials received under different versions of your name are very likely to be lost.
3. Please do not send materials in plastic covers or multiple envelopes, and do not bind application materials together in any way. Doing any of the above will considerably delay the processing of your application.
4. Do not send supporting documents until you have sent the Common Application.
5. Read carefully requirements for all freshmen applicants at http://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/firstyear/instructions.cfm. International students must complete these as well.
6. Start early!
7. Questions? You can write to our International Mailbox intl-inquiry@cornell.edu. Messages sent to this mailbox are answered by staff members each day.
