Application Tips

• Understand the academic requirements. 
  • For first-year applicants, review the basic academic requirements.
  • For transfers, review the required courses you should complete or have in-progress at your current college by the time you apply.
• Start early. Give yourself enough time before the application deadline to complete both the Common App and the Cornell Writing Supplement for first-year applicants or transfer applicants.
• Get to know Cornell and write with purpose. Thoroughly review the online information about the college or school at Cornell to which you are applying. Understanding the college/school you want to attend – including its curriculum, academic areas, and educational approach – will help in writing your college-specific Cornell essay. This Writing Supplement is one of the most important parts of your application. Show us in your essay how Cornell is a good fit for your academic interests – and how you are a good fit for the specific college or school within Cornell.
• Set up your email account to receive emails from Cornell. Check your email regularly for important information and updates. 
• View your application status online. Set up your Cornell Application Status Page account as soon as you receive the instructions via email.
• Submit required portfolios or design supplements. If you are applying to a design-based major (Architecture, Art, Design and Environmental Analysis, Fashion Design and Management, and Landscape Architecture), be sure to read the instructions and note the deadlines for these items.

How we review applications

Whether you're a first-year or transfer applicant, there's no magic formula that guarantees admission to Cornell. Our admission process is highly individualized, and we evaluate your fit for Cornell’s academics, culture, and philosophy. The result is an incredibly vibrant mix of students to further Cornell’s mission of educating the next generation of global citizens.

Access and affordability are extremely important to us: Cornell strives to live up to our “any person” ethos, ensuring the opportunity to apply to all qualified domestic undergraduate students, regardless of income, assets or family circumstances and offering financial aid packages that cover the difference between the cost of attendance and what a family can reasonably be expected to afford.

What does Cornell look for when we review your application?

• Intellectual potential. Have you challenged yourself in the curriculum available to you? How have you demonstrated your passion for learning? Has your coursework prepared you for your academic interests at Cornell? 
• Character. Honesty. Open-mindedness. Initiative. Collaboration. Empathy. Your values are important to Cornell. Do your application essays and recommendations reflect your strongest personal attributes?
• Involvement. Extracurricular activities. Community involvement. Workplace experience. Leadership. What special talents or interests have you developed? 
• Your Reasons for Choosing Cornell. Whether you’ve decided on a major or not, how do you plan to take advantage of Cornell's exceptional learning environment? Why is it the right place for you?

Need Help?

There are many ways to connect with us and get answers to your questions. We know the process of applying to college can be overwhelming at times, and we are here to help!