College and School Admissions Requirements

Below, please find the required and recommended additional preparation for our eight undergraduate colleges and schools. 

1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including pre-calculus*), and 4 of science (including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics (both recommended)); and (see coursework preparation by major.)

*Calculus is required for Atmospheric Science, Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biology & Society, Biometry & Statistics, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Food Science, Global & Public Health Sciences, Information Science and Nutritional Sciences.

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Special Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation: 

  • Advanced core science course(s)
  • Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
  • Engaged participation in school and community
  • A strong and demonstrated match with the college mission and programs
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Interviews are not offered

The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management: See Business requirements

For more information and to learn about the majors the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) offers, please visit their website.

2. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • All departments: 16 units, including 4 of English, 3 years of foreign language, 3 of math, and 3 of science
  • Architecture: requires 4 years of math (calculus is recommended) and 1 of physics

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Special Requirements:

Architecture 

Art

  • Portfolio required - Must be submitted via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal
  • Deadlines: Early Decision: Nov. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 2

Recommended additional preparation:

  • 3 or 4 years of foreign language
  • Art: Interview strongly recommended.
  • Urban and Regional Studies: 3 of mathematics, 3 of one foreign language, and 3 of science. Interview strongly recommended.
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
  • Participation in activities related to student’s choice of major in Architecture, Art, and Planning

For more information and to learn about the majors in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) offers, please visit their website.

3. College of Arts and Sciences

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 4 of English, 3 of mathematics (including pre-calculus), 3 of science, and 3 units of one foreign language (for heritage speakers or students who have initiated a foreign language sequence before high school, completion of at least the third level (e.g. Spanish 3)).

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation: 

  • An additional unit of advanced mathematics and science
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Interviews are not offered
  • Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
  • Strong commitment to the liberal arts and sciences

For more information and to learn about the majors in the College of Arts and Sciences offers, please visit their website.

4. Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management: 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including calculus), and 3 of science (biology, chemistry, and physics recommended)
  • The Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration: 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including 1 of pre-calculus), 2 of science (including 1 of chemistry), and 3 of one foreign language (successful completion of level 3)

Standardized Testing Requirements:

The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

The Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration

Recommended additional preparation: 

The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

  • Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
  • Strong and demonstrated match with the school’s mission and opportunities
  • Initiative, Personal Leadership, Entrepreneurship
  • An additional unit of science
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our visit options
  • Interviews are not offered

The Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration

  • Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
  • Calculus recommended
  • Initiative, Personal Leadership, Entrepreneurship
  • Hospitality exposure
  • An additional unit of science
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our visit options
  • Interviews are not offered

For more information and to learn about the majors in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business offers, please visit their website.

5. College of Engineering

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 1 of chemistry, 1 of physics, and 4 of mathematics (2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of calculus)

Required Math Teacher Recommendation

At least one of the two teacher recommendations must be from a math teacher. You are strongly encouraged to submit a math teacher recommendation from a pre-calculus or calculus teacher who has taught you in grade 11 or 12 (or equivalent years). The second recommendation may be from a teacher instructing a subject of your choice. If you are an international or ESL student, we strongly encourage that the second recommendation be from a teacher who can directly address your English proficiency. We suggest giving your teachers at least one month to write the letters, and be sure they know you and your work well.

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation: 

  • Computer science
  • A foreign language
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our engineering virtual visit options
  • Interviews are not offered
  • Problem solvers and innovators
  • Students with creative skills and a sense of adventure
  • Individuals who want to make a difference in the world and accomplish something of significance
  • Strong skills in math and science

For more information and to learn about the majors in the College of Engineering offers, please visit their website.

6. College of Human Ecology

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (Calculus is strongly recommended), and 4 of science (Including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics, and additional core sciences such as advanced biology)

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Special Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation:

  • Outstanding record of achievement in a rigorous high school curriculum
  • A strong match with the college mission and programs preferably demonstrated through thoughtful supplemental essay response and engaged participation in school and greater community
  • Testing of your academic/career interests through, for example, community engagement, shadowing, work, etc – be creative
  • Volunteer and/or work experience
  • Prospective design students: coursework in art and/or design
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Review our first-year application tips
  • Interviews are not offered

For more information and to learn about the majors the College of Human Ecology offers, please visit their website.

7. Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy 

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (Calculus is strongly recommended), and 4 of science (Including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics, and additional core sciences such as advanced biology)

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation: 

  • A foreign language
  • Outstanding record of achievement in a rigorous high school curriculum
  • A demonstrated match with the Brooks School’s mission to make a positive change in the world, particularly in the following areas of focus: data science and technology policy, environmental and sustainability policy, the economics and politics of development, global security, health policy, inequality and social policy, and race, racism, and public policy.
  • Volunteer, extracurricular and work experience
  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Interviews are not offered

For more information and to learn more about the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, please visit their website.

8. School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

  • 16 units, including 4 of English and 4 of mathematics

Standardized Testing Requirements:

Recommended additional preparation: 

  • Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
  • Interviews are not offered
  • Leaders and problem solvers who are drawn to or excel in social science, writing, business, and law courses. Students with relevant extracurricular, work, life and/or service experience and who demonstrate a strong interest in the core topics studied within the ILR School.

For more information and to learn more about the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR), please visit their website.