QuestBridge Applicants

QuestBridge

Ezra Cornell’s founding vision — a university where “any person can find instruction in any study” — holds true today. Cornell University offers students the academic excellence of an Ivy League institution along with a unique breadth and depth of opportunities to personalize their college experience. As Cornell looks forward to welcoming our first class of QuestBridge Scholars for Fall 2025, know that our collaborative community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni will support you throughout your academic journey.

 

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Key QuestBridge Terms

Finalist
A National College Match applicant selected by QuestBridge through a holistic review process.
Non-Finalist
A National College Match applicant who was not selected by QuestBridge through a holistic review process.
Non-Participating Finalist
A Finalist who did not rank colleges for the Match, yet still may apply through other avenues.
Matched Finalist
A Finalist who is matched to a college partner and will receive that college’s Match scholarship.
Non-Matched Finalist
A Finalist who ranked colleges and was not matched, yet still may apply through other avenues.
Withdrawal
A Finalist who removed a college from their rankings and is no longer considered for the Match scholarship at that school, yet still may apply through other avenues.

Explore QuestBridge National College Match

Application Process

There are several ways to apply to Cornell as a QuestBridge participant.

1. If you're a Finalist participating in the National College Match, you can rank Cornell using the match rankings form for the deadline in early October.

2. If you're a Finalist not participating in the Match process and Cornell is your first-choice institution, you can apply for Early Decision using the Common Application. Early Decision admission is binding, and the application deadline is November 1. You can apply Regular Decision to Cornell by using your QuestBridge application or the Common Application.

3. If you're a Finalist who ranked Cornell and didn't match with a binding QuestBridge college partner during the Match process, you will be automatically considered in Regular Decision and do not need to fill out out the QuestBridge Regular Decision form. Regular Decision admission is not binding, and the application deadline is January 2. You cannot submit an additional Common Application.

4. If you're a Finalist who didn't rank Cornell in the Match process and who didn't match with another binding QuestBridge college partner, you can apply to Cornell for Regular Decision by filling out the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form and using your QuestBridge application. Alternatively,  you can opt to not have your QuestBridge application forwarded to Cornell and apply via the Common Application. 

5. If you're not selected as a QuestBridge Finalist, you can apply to Cornell via the Common Application either Early or Regular Decision.

  1. Step One: Apply to QuestBridge.

  2. Step Two: Are you a Finalist?

    1. If Yes, proceed to Step Three.
    2. If No, Apply Early Decision or Regular Decision using the Common App.

  3. Step Three: Are you participating in the National College Match?

    1. If Yes, Proceed to Step Four.
    2. If No, Apply Early Decision or Regular Decision using the Common App.

  4. Step Four: Did you Rank Cornell?

    1. If Yes, proceed to Step Five.
    2. If No, Did you match with aNother QuestBridge Institution?
      1. If Yes, You matched with aNother QuestBridge School and must adhere to their match policy.
      2. If No, Your QuestBridge application will be considered by Cornell during Regular Decision.

  5. Step Five: Did you Match with Cornell?

    1. If Yes, Congratulations—you will attend Cornell in the Fall!
    2. If No, Did you match with aNother QuestBridge Institution?
      1. If Yes, You matched with aNother QuestBridge School and must adhere to their match policy
      2. If No, Your QuestBridge application will be considered by Cornell during Regular Decision

Dates & Deadlines

 
Application Timeline
DateApplication Materials
  
August 1
National College Match application opens
September 30
National College Match application deadline
October 1
Match rankings form opens– can rank up to 15 institutions
October 16
Match Rankings Form Deadline
October 21 
QuestBridge notifies applicants of Finalist status
November 1
Deadline to submit Cornell QuestBridge Supplement, Financial Aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile), & supplemental materials if you apply to a college/school that requires them (design supplement, portfolio, or resume)
 
November 4
Regular Decision form opens. Finalists can begin to select colleges they wish to apply to if not matched or if not participating in the match
December 1
Match Day: finalists are notified of Match results by QuestBridge
 
December 11

Regular Decision Form deadline for QuestBridge Finalists that did not match 

  
Application Timeline
DateApplication Materials
August
Common App opens
October 1
CSS Profile opens
December 1

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens

Last applicable SAT & ACT testing date (recommended)

January 2

Regular Decision Application Deadline

The following application materials must be submitted by this deadline:

  • The Common Application and Cornell Writing Supplement
  • Portfolio (Architecture, Art, and Landscape Architecture applicants)
  • Design Supplement (Design & Environmental Analysis and Fashion Design and Management applicants)
February 15

Priority date to submit financial aid application materials for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens

Late March

Admission decisions available

Financial aid offers available for admitted students with complete financial aid applications

May 1

Reply deadline for offer of admission

Frequently Asked Questions

Cornell FAQs

You can apply to any of Cornell’s eight undergraduate colleges or schools. Your college will be your academic home during your time here, but you'll have the opportunity to take classes and minor in other colleges as well. If you’re thinking about double majoring, keep in mind that you'll only be able to select a second major from within your chosen college.

For majors that are offered in two or more of our undergraduate colleges the major requirements, faculty, and research opportunities will be the same regardless of which college you choose. However, the classes you take outside of your major and the non-major graduation requirements you’ll need to fulfill will vary depending on your college. Applicants are encouraged to explore each college/school to identify the one that is the best fit for your academic interests and talents. As you explore Cornell, we encourage you to learn about both the majors that interest you and the college that may be the best fit. The colleges' websites will serve as a good starting point; the Courses of Study website may also be a helpful resource. 

No, you cannot apply to multiple colleges/schools at Cornell. When applying, you'll choose the undergraduate college or school within the university that is the best fit for your interests and talents. This will allow you to tailor your Cornell QuestBridge Supplement to your college or school of interest.

There are a few additional items you’ll need to submit in addition to your QuestBridge application:

  • Cornell QuestBridge Supplement, which should be completed via your Applicant Portal after Cornell has received your QuestBridge application
  • A design supplement, portfolio, or resume if required by the college/school/program you're applying to
  • Official high school transcripts
  • Test scores: Cornell University requires first-year applicants to to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application. Matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.
  • Financial aid application materials

Cornell University requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application. Matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell. Review our standardized testing policy to learn more.

Yes, the application fee will be waived for QuestBridge applicants to Cornell.

Yes, please submit the required materials to apply for financial aid by November 1.

International citizens are not eligible to be considered for the National College Match at Cornell, but undocumented and eligible non-citizen students may be considered.

Personal interviews are not available for applicants to any of Cornell's undergraduate programs.

No, QuestBridge Finalists are evaluated using the same standards as all first-year applicants.

The Cornell supplement asks: What attracts you to your preferred college or school at Cornell? What majors or academic areas of interest excite you? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Your response should show us that your interests and aspirations align with the college or school you have selected at Cornell. (300 word limit)

  • Get to know Cornell and write with purpose. You’ll want to get to know and research your intended academic area of interest. Thoroughly review the online information about the university and the college or school to which you are applying.
  • Understanding the college or school you want to attend — including its curriculum, academic areas, and educational approach — will help in writing your college-specific essay.
  • We want to hear your voice, your experiences, your values, and your story. Write about what feels authentic to you. You can use this space to share information not included elsewhere in your application; what else do you want us to know about you and how you’ll engage with the Cornell community?
  • For each essay, treat it like a piece of writing that you're submitting for school. This means that while you should write to convey your authentic self, you should make sure you're using appropriate grammar and punctuation. And don't forget to proofread!
  • Review How to Prepare for your Cornell Application for helpful information and tips
  • Check out this blog for additional essay tips

 

 

QuestBridge FAQs

Match Finalists who do not match with another binding institution, Match Finalists who do not rank Cornell, Non-Finalists, and Finalists not participating in Match can apply for Regular Decision.

If you're a Finalist who ranked Cornell and didn't match with a binding QuestBridge college partner during the Match process, you will be automatically considered in Regular Decision and do not need to fill out the QuestBridge Regular Decision form. Regular Decision admission is not binding, and the application deadline is January 2. You cannot submit an additional Common Application.

If you no longer wish to be considered for admission please complete the withdrawal form in your Applicant Portal. 

Yes. If you match with Cornell, you will receive a Match Scholarship and have a binding commitment to attend Cornell. Please note that you cannot defer your admission to a future semester.

You should apply Early or Regular Decision, using the Common Application. 

Questions about applying to QuestBridge, including questions about your application materials or status, should go to QuestBridge directly. If Cornell has already confirmed receipt of your application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at admissions@cornell.edu.