Apply as a First-Year Student to Cornell College
Start your application today
Ready to apply to Cornell? Great! We’re eager to get to know you through your undergraduate application and see how your experiences have prepared you to become a Cornellian. Life on the Hilltop means joining the Ramily—we’re a close-knit community full of innovative thinkers and ambitious learners, and we can’t wait to consider you for our incoming class.
You choose how to apply—use the Cornell Application or the Common App.
Want to apply directly to Cornell? Use our custom application.
Free to apply,
zero application fees.
Applying to multiple colleges? Add Cornell to your Common App.
Free to apply,
zero application fees.
No matter which application process you choose, you will still receive automatic merit scholarship consideration at Cornell.
We are currently accepting applications for fall 2025.
Our application deadline is May 1, 2025.
We are also accepting rolling applications for our spring semester.
The application process is fast and simple, no matter which application experience you choose.
Cornell College undergraduate application requirements include:
✔ Your high school transcript(s)
✔ A personal essay or writing sample
✔ An ACT/SAT score (optional—if you choose to apply with test scores)
✔ Short-answer questions (if you choose to not submit test scores)
Optional application materials:
✔ Teacher recommendations
✔ Personal portfolio
Test scores
Cornell is test-optional, which means that you can choose whether or not to submit your test scores with your application. There’s been a lot of questions about test-optional applications in the last few years, but we can reassure you that we’ve been test-optional since 2017 and we’ve found that test scores aren’t a determining factor in whether a student will do well at Cornell. If you apply test-optional we’ll ask you a few additional short-answer questions on your application.
If you worked hard to prepare for the test(s) and have a score you’re proud of, by all means, submit it and skip those extra questions! Cornell’s ACT code is 1296 and our SAT code is 6119.
Cheyenne Greenenwald
Undergraduate coursework requirements
Our admission team knows the importance of looking at the whole student. Generally, we make the following recommendations for your transcript:
✔ 4 years of English
✔ 3 years of math
✔ 3 years of social science
✔ 2 years of science
✔ 2 years of foreign language
If you have any questions or concerns about these recommendations, we encourage you to get in touch with the Office of Admission.
Already applied?
Congrats. You’ve taken the first step toward college. In the meantime, learn more about life on the Hilltop. Get to know our academics, and then explore our incredible Cornell community
Explore our academic programs
From One Course At A Time to Ingenuity at Cornell, you’ll find that we approach academics differently. Discover if our distinctive block plan is right for you and browse our programs, majors and minors.
Check out student life
Meet the Ramily! We’re a close-knit community that wants to see everyone succeed. Cornellians work hard and play hard, and we’re done with class by 3 p.m. every day so we can get involved in campus life. There’s time for athletics, intramurals, the arts, clubs and organizations, volunteer work, lecture series, workshops to help you with career planning, jobs on and off campus, and personal or group study time. Our student activities council, PAAC, plans campus-wide events where all you have to do to have fun is show up.
Still have questions?
Contact the Admission Office
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our admission team. We’re always available to answer any questions you or your family may have about the undergraduate application process, the block plan, or application requirements, and we love to talk to prospective students about Cornell.
Contact the Financial Aid Office
Get connected with valuable financial assistance opportunities for first-year students. In addition to merit scholarships, talent scholarships, and geographic scholarships, we also offer an array of grants, loans, and work-study options to help offset the cost of college. Reach out to us with any questions you or your family may have—we’re here to help.