First-Year International Applicant

You are considered as an international student if you do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). 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. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.

Cornell reads applications based on where you currently attend school rather than by your citizenship status; we will read your application with others from your school and those from the same state (U.S.) or country.

If a student has enrolled as a full-time student at another institution, they must apply as a transfer. See our instructions for how to apply as a transfer student here. 

Domestic applicants can find instructions for how to apply here.

International Financial Aid

All financial aid awarded by Cornell is based on financial need. We do not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students.

Cornell University admissions decisions for international applicants are need-aware. This means that they will be evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs. Applicants who anticipate the need for financial assistance at any point during their undergraduate course of study at Cornell must apply for aid when they apply for admission. International applicants who are admitted and did not apply for financial aid when they applied for admission will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any time as an undergraduate at Cornell. To apply for the university’s need-based financial aid program, applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their engagement in their university studies. If English is not your native language or if you have not attended high school in a country where English is an official language for the four years prior to your planned enrollment at Cornell, you may be asked to submit results from one of the following English language proficiency examinations listed below. We will consider and accept dozens of examinations and other qualifications from around the world in meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement.

The submissions and examinations that meet this requirement include, but are not limited to, the following:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test)
• iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency)
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
• Duolingo English Test
• PTE Academic (Pearsons Test of English Academic)
• C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency) 
• Initial View (IV) Assessment
• Vericant Assessment

Minimum score requirements for admissions consideration and to be most competitive in our review process:

• 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• 5.5 and above on the iTEP
• 120 and above on the Duolingo English Test
• 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic
• 70 and above on the PTE Academic
• 191 and above on the Cambridge English Scale
• Note: Minimum score requirements are listed above for any and all assessments and proxies for which we have designated a minimum qualification. If no minimum score is listed above for a particular English Language Proficiency assessment or proxy, there is no minimum qualification, and assessment and proxy results will be considered during the admissions application review.

Note: We do not superscore results from these assessments.

How do I know if I need to take an English language proficiency examination?

You do not need to take an English proficiency examination if:

• You are a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident and/or English is your native language.
• You received a score of 650 or above on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test OR a score of 30 or higher on both the ACT Reading and English Sections. Note: You must submit our English Language Proficiency Form which will be available in your application portal once you become an applicant.
• You have studied your most recent four years in a high school, college, or university in the U.S. or other nations where English is an official language. Note: You must submit our English Language Proficiency Form which will be available in your application portal once you become an applicant.
• You DO need to take an English language proficiency examination if you do not meet any of the criteria above.

Please note that Cornell does NOT waive the English language proficiency examination requirement for students who have attended an English-speaking school in a non-English speaking country.

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 and $80 application fee or fee waiver by January 2, submit supporting materials shortly after that date, 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

College and School Admissions 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.

Application

Submit the online Common Application. 

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

Pay the $80 nonrefundable application fee or submit a fee waiver.

Fee Waiver

We will waive the application fee if it presents a hardship for you or your family. You can use the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile to request a fee waiver. If you select that you are eligible for the Common App fee waiver, you will not be charged any application fees when you submit through Common App. The Common Application will automatically send your fee waiver request to your high school counselor for confirmation.

Common Application School Forms and Transcripts

All school materials and transcripts should be uploaded by a school counselor or school official via the Common Application.

School Report

Your counselor or other designated school official should submit this common application form and your official transcripts on your behalf.

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.

Teacher Evaluations

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

International Transcripts

Official high school transcripts must be submitted by your high school via the Common Application. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by English translations. We will accept English translations done by a teacher or school official. 

We require official high school/secondary school transcripts for grades 9–11 and 12th grade courses in-progress. Early Decision applicants are encouraged to submit first marking period grades when available. 

Applicants studying in an international exam-based curriculum should also submit

• Final exam results (for example IGCSE/GCSE, CBSE X/AISSCE X).
• Predicted exam results (such as IB, A-Levels) if available. 

Mid-year Report/Transcript

Your counselor or designated school official should submit your mid-year grades from 12th grade, when available, through the Common App. If there is no new grade information to report, or you have already completed school, the mid-year report/transcript is not required.

Required Supplemental Materials 

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

Cornell Writing Supplements

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. 

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

Application Status Page

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

Standardized Testing

Standardized Testing

• SAT & ACT: Cornell has extended the test-optional and score-free policy for fall 2025 applicants.
• 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.

AP Exams and International Credentials

The credit policies currently in effect for AP exams and international credentials can be found here — including IB, A-Levels, Cambridge Pre-University Examinations, German Abitur, and French Baccalauréat.

Students enrolled in these curricula are expected to complete their exams and submit their final results to receive credit.

Interviews/Alumni Meetings 

• Applicants can request an optional, informal conversation with a Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador by indicating their interest through their Cornell Application Status Page.

Tata Scholarship for Students from India

Thanks to a generous gift from the Tata Education and Development Trust — a philanthropic affiliate of India’s Tata Group — a $25 million endowment provides financial aid to Cornell undergraduate students from India.

The Tata Scholarship Fund supports approximately 20 scholars at any point in time and ensures that the very best Indian students have access to Cornell, regardless of their financial circumstances. Cornell awards these scholarships annually, and recipients receive the scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate studies at Cornell.

Ratan Tata ’59, B. Arch ’62, is a Cornell trustee and the chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, one of India’s oldest, largest, and most respected business conglomerates. Mr. Tata is one of the most respected business leaders in the world and has received numerous prestigious honors recognizing his impact through his work and philanthropy.

To receive the undergraduate scholarship, a recipient must be:

• a citizen of India who has attended secondary school in India;
• offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student;
• eligible for need-based financial aid.

The Tata Scholarship selection process gives preference to qualified students accepted to the following programs: 

• College of Architecture, Art and Planning
• College of Engineering
• Applied Economics and Management major in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
• Majors across colleges in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and other sciences, as well as the social sciences.

Is the Tata Scholarship guaranteed until graduation?

As long as Tata Scholars have financial need, Cornell is committed to providing them with Tata Scholarship funding. With the exception of the five-year program in architecture, which requires ten semesters of full-time enrollment, Cornell will provide up to eight semesters of funding. Funding for additional semesters due to double majors or dual degrees is not available.

Application Process

Undergraduate applicants eligible for the Tata Scholarship will be considered if they complete the admission application and apply for financial aid. All applicants must apply for financial aid by completing the CSS Profile. 

Applying as a DACA/Undocumented Applicant

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 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 undocumentedstudentadmissions@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.

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.

Davis Projects for Peace

Projects for Peace is an initiative for all undergraduate students currently enrolled at one of the participating Davis United World College Scholars Program partner schools (and a few other institutions) to design grassroots projects for the summer of 2022 — anywhere in the world — which promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. Applicants are encouraged to use their creativity to design projects and employ innovative techniques for engaging project participants in ways that focus on conflict resolution, reconciliation, building understanding and breaking down barriers which cause conflict, and finding solutions for resolving conflict and maintaining peace. Your project may be selected for funding at $10,000 each.