The application process and requirements are the same for all students applying to Cornell University. International first-year and transfer students should submit their application using the Common Application (CA), which can be completed and submitted online. Cornell also requires a Writing Supplement. The Cornell undergraduate college or school a student applies to may have additional requirements, such as a personal interview, a portfolio, or a design submission.
Cornell University has suspended the SAT/ACT requirement for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 applicants. SAT Subject Tests are not required or expected for admission to Cornell University. For more information, please visit our Standardized Testing Policies website.
All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their university studies. If English is not your native language, or if you have not attended high school in the United States or 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 dozens of examinations offered around the world in meeting the English language proficiency requirement for international applicants. We will consider your scores from these examinations or your other demonstrated qualifications. For more information, please visit the International Students website.
Founded in the late-1800s, Cornell University was built on the principle: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” True to its words, Cornell offers a range of programs and courses covering all fields of knowledge. A private and statutory Ivy League research university, it encourages every individual “….to pursue unpredicted lines of thinking in order to effect change on local and international scales.” It has over 1,680 professors and 50 Nobel laureates as either faculty members or alumni. Cornell is the first American university to offer a major in American Studies and the first university to teach modern Far Eastern languages. Today, the Department of Asian Studies teaches 19 classical and modern Asian languages. Apart from this, its yearly traditions such as Dragon Day, Chimes Concerts, Homecoming, Slope Day, and Cornell Ice Hockey are highlights of the university. It has an 8.6:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensuring the best academic experience for each student. In 2019, Cornell developed the following set of core values to make the university a more inclusive and equitable institution:
- Purposeful discovery
- Free and open inquiry and expression
- A community of belonging
- Exploration across boundaries
- Changing lives through public engagement
- Respect for the natural environment
Table of Contents
- Courses Offered
- Eligibility & Documents Required
- Application & Tuition Fees
- Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Admission Process
- Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
- Part Time Work While Studying
- Campuses & Accommodation
- University Contact Information
Courses Offered
What all courses are available to international students?
Cornell offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, along with a continuing education program and a summer school program. It has 350 college-approved study-abroad programs providing more than 4,000 courses in 100+ fields of study. The graduate program is further divided into two broad categories: Research Degrees (MS, MA, Joint Masters, Ph.D., etc.) and Professional Degrees (Information Science, Landscape Architecture, Management, M.P.A, M.Eng, etc.)
Eligibility & Documents Required
What are the eligibility requirements?
Cornell is relatively rigid with its eligibility requirements. Thus, you should aim for high scores in all exams while maintaining a good academic record. The exact eligibility requirements differ from course to course. For details, check the respective program page. In general, the following standardized test scores are required:
For UG programs
- IELTS- at least 7 overall or
- TOEFL- Score of 100 (internet-based) and 600 (paper-based)
- Duolingo English Test: Score of120 and above
- Advanced Placement scores, as per course
- SAT or ACT scores (all scores need to be submitted)
- Class 10, 11, and 12 records (or as asked by the university)
Note: For UG aspirants applying for 2021 intake, the university has suspended SAT/ACT requirements.
For PG programs
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or as per course requirement
- GRE or GMAT (as per course requirement)
- IELTS- 7 or higher, as per course requirement
- TOEFL- Speaking: 22, Reading: 20, Listening: 15, Writing: 20, or as per course requirement
For MBA programs
- A three-year or four-year college/university degree
- Either GMAT or GRE score
- GMAT: usually between 650 and 740
- GRE: comparable (check class average on the website)
- TOEFL or IELTS as per course requirement
- Work experience is not required, but the class average is usually two to five years of professional experience
What all documents are needed for application?
Cornell is strictly against the use of paid agents* or credentialing services and expects all students to complete their application-related documents on their own. All original transcripts and certificates should be in English; if not, then it needs to be translated into English. Cornell accepts electronic submissions (official e-transcripts) from international students if the credential evaluation is done through the service partners approved by the university. Check the university website for more details.
*The use of such services violates university policy. It may lead to the rejection of application materials, the revocation of an admissions offer, cancellation of admission, or involuntary withdrawal from the university.
For UG aspirants, the following documents are required:
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS/TOEFL scores
- SAT/ACT scores
- Advanced Placement scores
- Two letters of recommendation (LORs)
- Cornell Questions and Writing Supplement (CA) or the Cornell Supplement (UCA)
- Early Decision Agreement (optional)
- Additional supplements such as interview form, portfolios or design indexes as per course requirement
- Financial documents
- Scholarship/fee waiver form, if any
For PG students:
- Academic transcripts
- IELTS or TOEFL scores
- GRE or GMAT scores
- Resume/CV
- Essays/SOP/Goals Statement (as per course requirement)
- Two to three LORs
- Additional supplements such as portfolios or design indexes as per course requirement
- Financial documents
- Scholarship/fee waiver form, if any
Application & Tuition Fees
Is there any application fees?
UG applicants need to pay USD 80 whether they apply through the Common App or the Universal College App. For graduate programs, the application fee is USD 105, non-refundable.
What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?
The fee structure differs depending on the programs and courses. The table below is an estimation of the tuition fee for international students.
After creating your account, log in to the portal and start your application.
There are eight major sections in total. You will be able to move to the section only if the current section is complete. If there is any incomplete or missing information in the current section, the next section will not be unlocked.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
The decisions for UG programs are communicated by mid-December (Early Decision) and early-April (Regular Decision). The student is expected to send a response to the university by early-May. On the other hand, since graduate programs have different deadlines, their decision dates also vary. Once the online application is submitted, the university sends an email containing a tentative date/month by when the student can expect a reply/decision. For more information on this, check the respective program and course page.
University Reverts by | |
Early Decision: November 1 | Mid-December |
Regular Decision: January 1 | Early-April |
Acceptance from the Student: May 1 |
Note: Dates may vary each academic year.
Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
What are the chances to get into this university?
Like any other Ivy League university, getting admission to Cornell is highly competitive, and even the university is quite selective in choosing students. About 10% of undergraduate applicants are admitted each year out of thousands of applications. There is no easy way to get in except getting high scores. Apart from that, Cornell focuses on each individual’s profile and considers the following attributes while evaluating a UG aspirant’s profile:
In graduate aspirants, Cornell seeks individuals that would excel in studies as well as leave a lasting impact wherever they go. Thus, along with high scores and a good academic record, aspirants should have relevant experience and leadership and teamwork ability. By selecting such candidates, Cornell endeavors to create a batch of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to enrich the learning process.
How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?
Cornell accepts applications from all countries and welcomes students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The MBA Class of 2021 has already received 282 enrolments from 30 countries, where women make up 35% of the total, and 32% are international students. On the other hand, the Freshmen (UG) Class 2023 has received more than 49,000 applications, out of which 3,218 students have already sent their acceptance.
Part Time Work While Studying
Can I work while studying here?
Irrespective of your financial aid eligibility, you can work part-time to meet your daily expenses at Cornell. The university offers student employment and part-time job opportunities, which can be found on the Student Employment website. Wages range from USD 11.10 to USD 20.85* an hour and is paid bi-weekly to the student.
*Subject to change
You can work as a student employee if you fulfill the following criteria:
- Remain registered full-time in a degree program
- Enrolled in classes
- No registration, bursar, or other holds on your Cornell record
Apart from this, if you are eligible for the Federal Work-Study (FWS), the amount you are expected to earn from working is listed in your financial aid package. If you are planning to work outside of Cornell/Tompkins County for your summer job/internship, you can access the job postings through Career Services on Cornell CareerNet.
Campuses & Accommodation
How many colleges and campuses does the university have?
Cornell has a total of 15 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools and colleges. The main campus is situated in Ithaca, NY with three other campuses scattered over New York (Midtown), Geneva (NY), and Washington, DC. International campuses include Doha in Qatar and Rome, Italy.
Is on-campus housing available?
First-year students live with their classmates on North Campus near the Tatkon Center for First Year Students that serves as the hub of activity. You can choose to live either in one of the Residence Halls (co-ed) or a Program House (themed residence halls celebrating a particular interest or cultural background), except the Balch Hall as it is for women only. Both of them have live-in staff support, opportunities for faculty interaction, cultural and educational programs, and social activities.
As an upper-level student, you can move to the West Campus, stay in a fraternity or sorority, or a cooperative housing society. You may also stay off-campus in apartments or rental homes in Collegetown or Greater Ithaca. Graduate aspirants can stay with their spouse, partner, or family in Hasbrouck apartments* or cooperative houses. The campus has various facilities such as restaurants, cafes, food courts, fitness centers, a bowling center, and recreational centers along with an 8,000-square-foot Lindseth Climbing Center. For more details, check the Cornell Housing website.
*Occupancy limits: Please note that Cornell's family/partner units can accommodate two to four people. No more than two adults are permitted per unit.?
University Contact Information
Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?
Address: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
Website: www.cornell.edu/
Contact No: (607) 254-4636