First-Year Cornell AAP Applicants
Are you looking to build a better world? The Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) may be the right fit for you. With majors in architecture, art, and urban and regional studies, our students learn to tackle problems creatively, imagine new possibilities, and transform the world we live in.
Architecture is a broad, dynamic, and continuously evolving discipline that includes research and creative practice drawing from design, history, theory, technology, fabrication, sustainability, social justice, community engagement, spatial policy, building construction, architectural practice, representation, urbanism, landscape design, and ecology.
The Art Department at Cornell offers the rigor of an art school within the context of a world-class research institution. We view our students as both artists and scholars, and students in the B.F.A. program develop a creative practice informed by a wide array of courses across the university’s many different areas of study.
A degree in Urban and Regional Studies (URS) at Cornell is perfect for students who are captivated by cities, curious about the factors that shape lives and communities, and inspired to address social justice and create positive change.
The major is a good fit for students who want to study and shape inclusive, sustainable, and equitable places that reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of people around the world. Our courses emphasize social science reasoning through quantitative, qualitative, spatial, visual, and collaborative methods. Hands-on learning and engagement with residents and spaces beyond the classroom helps students develop the skills necessary to understand and theorize the diverse social, economic, and political dimensions that impact cities and communities.
AAP seeks students who maintain a rigorous high school curriculum and demonstrate an outstanding record of academic achievement. Required high school courses include:
*Architecture majors are required to complete 4 units of mathematics before high school graduation. We recommend that include a calculus class.
**Architecture majors are recommended to complete physics as part of their high school science coursework.
Early Decision applicants: November 1
Regular Decision applicants: January 2
We will not accept any portfolios submitted after these deadlines. Portfolio requirements help faculty assess strengths in these more subjective areas. All portfolio requirements must be met for the application to be considered. Do not email your portfolio to AAP admissions.
If you have trouble uploading your portfolio, please email aap-admissions@cornell.edu for help before the portfolio submission deadlines. You may email SlideRoom technical support at support@slideroom.com.
Please respond to the following writing prompt when completing your Common Application Writing Supplement (650-word limit):
Describe how your interests connect to architecture. Include an example of a creative project, design experience, or personal passion that sparked your interest in pursuing a 5-year professional degree in architecture. Reflect on how this experience shaped your understanding of the field and your motivation to study architecture.
Submit an artist statement describing your creative interests and practice. Address how your work reflects your artistic voice, influences, and process, and how studying art at Cornell AAP would support and expand your practice. (You will also be prompted to upload a copy to your Slideroom portal.)
Describe your interest in urban and regional studies. Discuss experiences, ideas, or issues that have shaped your interest in cities, communities, and regional systems, and explain how URS at Cornell aligns with your academic and career goals.
What do we look for when reviewing your application? Broadly, we strongly consider applicants with a rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement, as well as those who have participated in activities related to their major of choice. For additional considerations, review major-specific information below.
The B.Arch. program at Cornell combines the intensity and rigor of a five-year professional education with access to the resources and breadth of a renowned research university. In our applicants, we value and are looking for one or more of the following attributes:
You should present evidence of creative ability and commitment to the field of architecture in addition to having strong academic credentials.
In our prospective B.F.A students, we look for:
For B.S. URS applicants, we pay particular attention to the articulation of your interest in themes relevant to urban and regional studies. Successful applicants to the URS program demonstrate intellectual potential and commitment, and a combination of ability, achievement, motivation, diligence, and use of educational and social opportunities. Above all, the department seeks students with a high level of enthusiasm and curiosity about the study of urban and regional issues.
Still need help? Look at the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us.