First-Year Applicant

First-year domestic applicants will complete high school during the current academic year and hold one of the following United States citizenship or residency statuses:

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S./Dual Citizenship 
• Permanent Residency (approved — not pending)
• Undocumented Students with and without DACA 
• Refugee/Asylee
  • Students whose permanent resident status is pending are considered international students. If your pending status changes to approved during the application process, please let us know and we will update your status.

Students enrolled in concurrent high school and college courses are considered first-year candidates. 

Students who graduated from high school but have earned fewer than 12 credits at a college or university are considered first-year candidates. If you have earned 12 credits or more, you should see our instructions for how to apply as a transfer student here. For domestic students, Cornell University practices need-blind admissions and meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. 

International applicants can find instructions for how to apply here.

Early Decision 

Early Decision is a binding commitment for students who have selected Cornell as their first choice. Students may initiate applications to other colleges under nonbinding plans but must withdraw those applications if admitted to Cornell. Students who apply Early Decision submit their application and $80 application fee or fee waiver by November 1, submit supporting materials by November 15, and will learn their admissions decision by mid-December.

Cornell’s Early Decision Agreement is on the Common Application under Cornell University > Application > Questions > General. Students do not need to submit a separate agreement from their counselor.

All admission decisions are final. There are three possible admission outcomes from Early Decision:

• Admit: Admitted applicants must withdraw all other college applications, may not submit any additional applications after accepting the offer, and must accept Cornell's offer of admission by submitting an enrollment deposit by early January.
• Defer: Deferred applicants are reconsidered in the Regular Decision pool and are no longer subject to the Early Decision binding commitment.
• Deny: Denied applicants will not be considered in the Regular Decision pool.

Those admitted under Early Decision who demonstrate financial aid eligibility and submit all required materials by the deadline will receive a financial aid award at the time of admission. Students may be eligible to be released from the early decision agreement if the financial aid award does not make a Cornell education affordable for applicants and their families.

Cornell University will honor any required commitment to matriculate that has been made to another college under an Early Decision plan.

Regular Decision 

Regular Decision is a non-binding decision plan. Students who apply in Regular Decision submit their application fee and $80 application fee or fee waiver by January 2, submit supporting materials shortly after that date, 2 and learn their admissions decision by early April.

All admission decisions are final. There are three admission outcomes from Regular Decision; the admission committee will:

• Admit: Admitted applicants must submit an enrollment deposit by May 2 if choosing to enroll at Cornell.
• Waitlist: Applicants who are offered a place on the waitlist may elect to be considered for admission if space in the class becomes available.
• Deny: Denied applicants can re-apply as transfer candidates in future admissions cycles.

Those admitted under Regular Decision who demonstrate financial aid eligibility and submit all required materials by the deadline will receive a financial aid award at the time of admission.

Which one of Cornell's colleges and schools is right for you?

You will apply to only one undergraduate college or school at Cornell. Explore each of our undergraduate colleges and schools at the links below and see which fits you best before filling out your application:

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• College of Architecture, Art and Planning
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• College of Human Ecology
• Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
• Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  • Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
  • Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
• School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Applicants cannot change the college to which they have applied after they have submitted the Common Application.

Explore our Majors

Read the Requirements

When applying to Cornell University, you'll choose the undergraduate college or school within the university that is the best fit for your interests and talents. While there are general recommendations and requirements for students applying to our university, each college and school has its own unique recommendations and requirements.

Find the Requirements here 

Application

Submit the online Common Application. 

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

Cornell’s application fee is $80. However, if the application fee presents a financial burden for you or your family, and you plan to apply for financial aid, you may qualify for a fee waiver.

To request a fee waiver on the Common Application:

1. Review Common App’s fee waiver eligibility criteria to confirm that you meet at least one of those criteria.
2. Select “Yes” when asked “Do you meet one or more of the Common Application fee waiver eligibility criteria?”
3. Provide your signature to complete the fee waiver request.
4. On the Cornell University questions, select “Yes, I am eligible for a fee waiver as outlined in the profile section of the Common Application” when asked “Are you eligible for an application fee waiver?”
5. Answer the three additional fee waiver eligibility questions in Cornell’s application questions. 

Please note that your fee waiver will be automatically applied, and you do not need to submit documentation to Cornell for your fee waiver request.

If you or your family are dealing with a financial hardship not included in the Common App fee waiver eligibility criteria or your family’s annual household income is below $75,000 USD, please contact our office at admissions@cornell.edu to request a fee waiver code.

High School Transcript

Official high school/secondary school transcripts must include grades from 9th through 11th grade and list in-progress 12th-grade courses. Early Decision applicants are encouraged to submit first marking period grades when available. Applicants will be required to submit mid-year grades from 12th grade when available.

Your high school should submit official high school transcripts via the Common App or through an online ordering system or eTranscript service. 

Counselor Recommendation

The counselor letter of recommendation highlights a student's accomplishments within the context of their high school. The letter should come from a student’s school counselor, college counselor, principal, or headmaster. Applicants will not be disadvantaged if their high school structure and counselor’s caseload does not allow students the opportunity to build a personal relationship with their counselor.

School Report

Your counselor or designated school official should submit this Common Application form or your school’s own report form on your behalf.

Teacher Evaluations

The two teacher recommendations highlight the applicant’s academic strengths and contributions in the classroom. 

Mid-year Report Transcript

Your counselor or designated school official should submit your mid-year grades from 12th grade, when available. We understand that some students with schools on trimesters may not have any new grade information to report at the time of submission, and therefore do not need to send a Midyear Report.

Cornell Writing Supplement

Before submitting your Cornell Common Application, you will also need to write and submit your Cornell First-Year Writing Supplement. Please note that each college and school at Cornell has a different supplement. 

Writing Supplement Prompts

You cannot change the college or school you applied to after submitting your application. 

Standardized Testing

• SAT & ACT: Cornell has updated its policy for students applying to enroll for fall 2025 to a combination of test-recommended or score-free. Cornell has also announced that students applying to enroll for fall 2026 will be required to submit standardized testing scores. 
• SAT Subject Tests: These tests are not required or expected for admission to Cornell University.
• AP Exams, IB Exams, or AICE Exams: Students may opt to self-report AP, IB or AICE exam scores in the testing section of the Common Application.
• Predicted IB Diploma and A-Levels: Students enrolled in IB and A-Level curricula whose schools submit predicted scores for admission consideration are expected to complete their exams and submit their final results.

Supplemental Materials

• Architecture: Required interview and portfolio
• Art: Required art portfolio
• Design and Environmental Analysis: Required design supplement
• Fashion Design and Management: Required design supplement
• Landscape Architecture: Required portfolio
• Music: Optional musical recording supplement for applicants who believe that their musical abilities will enhance their application

AP/IB/Dual Enrollment

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Cornell generally awards credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of 4 or 5. For more information, please visit the AP Credit page.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams: Cornell generally awards credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations for students scoring 6 or 7 on higher level exams. Please visit the International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit page for more information.
• International Exams: Students who complete various international exams–including A-Levels, Cambridge Pre-University Examinations, German Abitur, and French Baccalauréat–may receive credit. For more information, please visit the International Credentials page.
• Transfer/Dual Credit: The Registrar of an enrolling student’s Cornell college/school evaluates courses taken at other accredited colleges or universities (or their foreign equivalent) and are appropriate to the Cornell curriculum for potential transfer credit. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses included on a student’s high school transcript and used to satisfy high school graduation requirements, i.e., dual credit courses. For more information, read our FAQ on how Cornell handles dual enrollment coursework.

Applicant Portal

When we receive your application, we will email you about establishing an online applicant portal. This email message will be your confirmation that we have received your application. 

Check Your Applicant Portal

Homeschooled Applicants

Cornell welcomes applications from students who have been homeschooled. Homeschooled students have the same application requirements and review process as all applicants and are expected to complete the same curriculum requirements as students from traditional high schools. Each homeschooled applicant is encouraged to provide clear, detailed documentation of their curriculum, assessment tools, and learning experiences. Homeschooled students are encouraged to submit a curriculum description and list of educational texts and materials used.

Letters of Recommendation

All applicants, including homeschooled students, must submit the School Report (Counselor Letter of Recommendation) and two Teacher Evaluations. Cornell recommends someone not related to the student complete at least two of the three required letters of recommendation. 

Transcripts

We understand that your transcript may look different from a traditional high school one. However, your transcript should include a list of courses by grade level and performance indicators (such as letter grades or GPA).

If you have completed coursework at one or more traditional high schools, colleges, or universities, submit an official transcript from each institution.

Native and Indigenous Applicants

Native and Indigenous students as well as their advocates, supporters and communities are encouraged to reach out to the Diversity Outreach team to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at diversity@cornell.edu.

Cornell University Land Acknowledgement

Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.
 

Join our Community of Veteran Scholars

Cornell invites veterans and current members of the military to join its growing community of veteran scholars. 

There’s never been a better time for those who’ve served in the military to consider Cornell. The veteran community is strong and growing, thanks to a renewed commitment to recruit, enroll, and support those who’ve served. 

Cornell’s commitment to military service and those who’ve served isn’t new; it dates back to our founding as the land grant university for New York and the Morrill Land Grant Act requiring every land grant institution to include military training in its curriculum. We are proud of our students who have graduated from Cornell and gone on to serve in the military and we are proud of our veterans who made the choice to attend Cornell after they have served our country. 

Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Support

Cornell’s Military/Veteran Admissions and Enrollment Services team includes staff and trained student veterans who work to support veterans and current members of the military from the prospective student phase through the applications for admission, financial aid, veteran education benefits, and the enrollment process. 

Please reach out to us at veteranadmissionsandenrollment@cornell.edu. We look forward to working with you!

Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits

Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students and military/veteran applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid, regardless of their veteran benefits eligibility. Cornell also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the supplement to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® education benefit. For more information about veteran education benefits, please visit the University Registrar website.

For more information about financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment at finaid@cornell.edu.

Learn more about the veteran community. 

Educating military leaders has been a tradition at Cornell University for 150 years.

Cornell's long and prestigious military history started with the Morrill Act of 1862. Cornell's founding and designation as New York State's Land Grant University imparted to it the responsibility to provide military training and education programs. Cornell formally established a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit in 1917. Cornell graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Spanish-American War. Cornell commissioned more officers in World War I than any other institution in the United States including the military academies. During World War II, Cornellians again responded, with more than 20,000 serving in the armed forces in every theatre of war.

Learn more about ROTC at Cornell here. 

First-Generation College and Low and Moderate Income Applicants

Cornell strives to live up to our “any person” ethos, ensuring access to all qualified domestic undergraduate students, regardless of income, assets or family circumstances. Cornell offers financial aid packages that cover the difference between the cost of attendance (which includes living expenses in addition to tuition) and what a family can reasonably be expected to afford.

First Generation College Students and Students from low and moderate income backgrounds as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to Undergraduate Admissions to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at diversity@cornell.edu.

DACA/Undocumented Applicants

Undocumented students with and without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to learn more and connect with Undergraduate Admissions at diversity@cornell.edu.

United World College Applicants

Students attending one of the United World College (UWC) secondary schools around the world as well as their advocates and supporters are encouraged to reach out to Undergraduate Admissions to connect with us and learn more about the living and learning opportunities and networks for support available to undergraduate students at Cornell University.

You can reach your point of contact within Undergraduate Admissions at uwcadmissions@cornell.edu.