Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions
Q: Are interviews required?
A: All students (both freshman and transfers) who apply to the architecture department in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning or to the School of Hotel Administration are required to have a personal interview. Transfer applicants to the School of Industrial & Labor Relations must also complete a personal interview. Interviews are also recommended, though not required, for students applying to major in fine arts. In architecture or fine arts, you should be prepared to present your artistic ability through the required portfolio as well; and the hotel school is particularly interested in your knowledge of and commitment to the field of hotel administration.
In all other programs, interviews are neither required nor offered. Campus visits are always encouraged, and most students who apply for freshman admission will be contacted by a member of a local Cornell alumni committee in the fall or winter. These informal conversations with alumni are not required and are meant only to allow an additional opportunity for the student to learn more about Cornell---and for Cornell to learn more about the student. (Please note that alumni contacts do not take the place of the required interview for architecture or hotel.)
