Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. Founded in 1865, it operates a unique hybrid structure comprising both private endowed colleges and state-assisted statutory colleges. Cornell is known for its wide range of academic programs and commitment to public service.
Acceptance rate
7.8%
Undergrad enrollment
15,735
Test policy
Test required
Application fee
$85
Application deadlines
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| TransferSpring 2027 Transfer | October 15, 2026 |
| Early DecisionEarly Decision | November 1, 2026 |
| Financial AidEarly Decision Financial Aid | November 15, 2026 |
| Regular DecisionRegular Decision | January 2, 2027 |
| Financial AidRegular Decision Financial Aid | February 15, 2027 |
| TransferFall 2027 Transfer | March 15, 2027 |
Supplemental essay prompts
What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you've already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?
What interests you about the major you selected? Tell us about experiences (both in and outside of the classroom), questions, and goals that influenced your choice.
What draws you to Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)? Reflect on the learning, community, or impact opportunities that matter most to you, and share how they align with Cornell CALS as you currently understand it.
How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants, you may want to consider how you could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students you may want to emphasize your enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.
At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences.
Why are you interested in studying policy, and why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals have influenced your choice of policy major.
What kinds of business experiences, choices, or accomplishments have influenced your decision to study business at Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business? Use this essay to introduce yourself and describe how your experiences, skills, and goals align with the Dyson School or Nolan School.
Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?
What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.
What is one component of your identity, passion, background, or life story that you feel is essential to who you are?
Identify a challenge in your greater community or in the career/industry in which you are interested. Share how the CHE education, your CHE major of choice, as well as the breadth of CHE majors, will help you address that challenge.
Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School.