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. English proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following methods:

• You are a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident.
• English is your native language.
• English has been the primary language of instruction throughout your secondary school career.  

Applicants who do not meet one of these criteria are required to submit an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Score requirements for admissions consideration to be most competitive in our review process include a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum of 130 on the Duolingo English Test. We will accept self-reported TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores from the Common Application.  You may also self-report new or updated scores on Cornell’s English Language Proficiency Form which will be available in your applicant portal once you become an applicant.  Should you be admitted to and enrolled at Cornell, we will require official test scores sent from the testing agency at that time.

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 $85 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 $85 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.

Read the Requirements

Application

Submit the online Common Application. 

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

Pay the $85 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. 

WRITING SUPPLEMENT PROMPTS

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

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

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.
• English Language Proficiency Examinations:  You're welcome to submit unofficial test scores when you apply to Cornell, but you will be asked to submit official test scores sent from the testing agency if you are admitted and choose to enroll.

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.

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. 

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.

Levitan Scholars

Thanks to the generosity of Cornell alumnus Dr. Alexander Levitan ‘59 and Mrs. Lucy Levitan, a cohort of international students receive full scholarships via the Levitan Family Scholarships and have access to mentorship and financial assistance for academic and professional experience opportunities through the Levitan Scholars Fund. 

Dr. and Mrs. Levitan established these scholarships and the Levitan Scholars fund as a multi-generational legacy of the Levitan family at Cornell University and an expression of their family’s deep commitment to the importance of making the full experience of a world-class education at Cornell available to students with financial need from around the world. The Levitans were inspired to support international students by Al’s father, Sacha Levitan. As an immigrant to France, Sacha received much-needed support for his education. He then came to the United States, where he served in WWII.

Levitan Family Scholarships currently provide support to five students every year. Recipients who continue to fulfill the requirements of the scholarship receive support for the duration of their undergraduate studies at Cornell. (This includes students whose basic course of study requires five years of attendance but does not include extended University attendance in order to pursue additional semesters due to double majors or dual degrees.) 

Recipients benefit from: 

• Mentorship through a campus advisor;
• A close-knit community and gatherings with other Levitan Family Scholars;
• Off-campus travel experiences as a cohort; and
• Financial support for academic research opportunities, study abroad, and/or summer internship opportunities.

To receive a Levitan Family Scholarship, a recipient must:

• Have attended secondary school in a country outside the United States;
• Be offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student; and
• Be eligible for and require significant need-based financial aid.

To maintain eligibility in subsequent years, recipients must: 

• Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Complete an annual update letter to the donors; and
• Not take a leave of absence for two or more consecutive semesters.

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.

Read about the Davis Projects for Peace