Cornell University has reinstituted standardized testing requirements for first-year students seeking undergraduate admission. After a multi-year study conducted by the university’s Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions, data showed that when reviewed in context with other application materials—such as GPA, academic rigor, extracurricular engagement, essays, and letters of recommendation—test scores help to create a more complete picture of an individual applicant. Cornell considers all applicants holistically, which means we look at all the elements of an application during our review.  

First-year Applicants

First-year applicants are required to submit the SAT or ACT scores when applying to Cornell. Applicants may self-report test scores* on the testing section of the Common Application or through their Cornell Applicant Portal after applying. Applicants are strongly encouraged to double check the accuracy of all self-reported scores.

*Recruited athletes must submit official test scores (i.e., sent from the testing agency) during the application process.

Enrolling students are required to verify all self-reported SAT and/or ACT scores by having official scores sent from the testing agency. Failure to verify self-reported scores may result in the revocation of a student's offer of admission.

For the SAT, Cornell considers the highest section scores across test dates and participates in the College Board Score Choice program. For the ACT, Cornell will consider the ACT-provided superscore and the highest sections scores across all test dates. Be sure to use the superscore option when sending official scores. The science section of the ACT is not required.

Cornell’s SAT code is 2098, and our ACT code is 2726.

Transfer Applicants

SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer applicants.