College and School Admissions Requirements
When you apply to Cornell University, you'll choose just 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 their own unique recommendations and requirements as listed below.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including pre-calculus*), and 3 of science (including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or 1 of physics, though both chemistry and physics are recommended). An additional unit of science is also recommended. Due to variation in optimal academic preparation by major, be sure to review the admissions requirements for each major.
- *Note: Calculus 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.
Special Requirements:
- Landscape Architecture: Portfolio required. See CALS website for details, format, and submission instructions.
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 selected major
- Applicants are encouraged to explore virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has suspended the SAT/ACT testing requirement for 2023 and 2024 applicants
- The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will be score-free in the admissions process, and will not use test scores.
The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
- See Business requirements
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 recommended) and 1 of physics
Special Requirements:
Architecture
- Portfolio required - Must be submitted via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal
- Deadlines: Early Decision: Nov. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 2
Art
- Portfolio required - Submit via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal
- Deadlines: Early Decision: Nov. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 2
Recommended additional preparation:
- 3 or 4 years of foreign language
- Urban and Regional Studies: 3 years of mathematics, 3 of one foreign language, and 3 of science.
- Applicants are encouraged to explore 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
Standardized Testing Requirements:
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)).
Recommended additional preparation:
- An additional unit of advanced mathematics and science
- Applicants are encouraged to explore 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
Standardized Testing Requirements:
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:
- 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.
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
Standardized Testing Requirements:
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)
Special Requirements:
- Design and Environmental Analysis: Design Challenge required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Fashion Design and Management: Design Case Study required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Fashion Design: Portfolio required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Design Challenge, Design Case Study, or Portfolio are due by November 1 (for Early Decision) and January 2 (for Regular Decision)
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 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
Standardized Testing Requirements:
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)
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
Standardized Testing Requirements:
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 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)
Special Requirements:
- A resume submitted with your admissions application
Recommended additional preparation:
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Calculus recommended
- Initiative, Personal Leadership, Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality or service-industry exposure
- An additional unit of science
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including calculus), and 3 of science (biology, chemistry, and physics recommended)
Special Requirements:
- A resume submitted with your admissions application
Recommended additional preparation:
- 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 virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English and 4 of mathematics
Recommended additional preparation:
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
- ILR will interest leaders and problem solvers who are drawn to or excel in social science, writing, business, and law courses and 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