What You Need to Know About Early Decision 2026
If you’re considering Cornell University, you may have some questions about applying Early Decision (ED). What is ED exactly? How does ED differ from Early Action? What does “binding” mean? Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about ED.
Cornell offers an ED application option for first-year students, and that application deadline is November 1. ED applicants receive their admission decision in December. Cornell does not offer Early Action. Please note that other universities may have binding or restrictive Early Action plans, so you should review their policies and only apply to one binding early admissions plan.
Yes. It’s important to remember that an ED application is a commitment. You may apply ED to only one college or university, but you can apply to other non-binding early admission programs (like Early Action). If admitted to Cornell through ED, you must withdraw any applications to other colleges or universities and submit your enrollment deposit in January.
Yes! Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students.
If you’re a domestic ED applicant, we encourage you to compete your financial aid application by November 15; this increases the likelihood that you will receive a financial aid estimate when you receive your admission decision.
If you’re an international ED applicant and want to be considered for financial aid at any point during your undergraduate education, you must apply for financial aid by November 1. If you don't apply for aid by that date, you will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any time as an undergraduate at Cornell.
When you apply ED to Cornell, you can be admitted, denied, or postponed to the Regular Decision (RD) review process. Applicants who are postponed to RD are no longer subject to the ED agreement and will receive their admission decision in the spring.
No. If you are not admitted as an ED applicant, you may not apply to Cornell again as an RD applicant.
First-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. We typically receive October SAT and ACT scores in time to consider them for ED applicants, but we cannot guarantee that test scores from November dates will be received in time. If you do not submit standardized test scores by November 13, your application will be moved to RD. Please review our standardized testing policy for additional information.
As long as your application, fee or fee waiver, and portfolio or design supplement (if required for your program of interest) is submitted by the November 1 deadline, additional required materials may be submitted by November 13. If your application remains incomplete after November 13, it will be moved to RD.
No, Cornell does not require the ED agreement form provided by the Common Application. On the Cornell University section of the Common Application, check ED as your preferred admission plan.
Ready to apply? Review the instructions, requirements, and more for first-year applicants and contact admissions if you have any questions!