College and School Admissions Requirements
When you apply to Cornell University, you'll choose just 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 their own unique recommendations and requirements as listed below.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including pre-calculus*), and 3 of science (including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or 1 of physics, though both chemistry and physics are recommended). An additional unit of science is also recommended. Due to variation in optimal academic preparation by major, be sure to review the admissions requirements for each major.
- *Note: Calculus required for Atmospheric Science, Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biology & Society, Biometry & Statistics, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Food Science, Global & Public Health Sciences, Information Science and Nutritional Sciences.
Special Requirements:
- Landscape Architecture: Portfolio required. See CALS website for details, format, and submission instructions.
Recommended additional preparation:
- Advanced core science course(s)
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Engaged participation in school and community
- A strong and demonstrated match with the college mission and selected major
- Applicants are encouraged to explore virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
- See Business requirements
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:
- All departments: 4 of English, 3 years of foreign language, 3 of math, and 3 of science
- Architecture: requires 4 years of math
Special Requirements:
Architecture
- Portfolio required; must be submitted via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal
- Deadlines: Early Decision: Nov. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 2
- View the Architecture portfolio requirements
Art
- Portfolio required; submit via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal
- Deadlines: Early Decision: Nov. 1; Regular Decision: Jan. 2
- View the Art portfolio requirements
Recommended additional preparation:
- 4 years of foreign language
- Architecture: Calculus and Physics
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Participation in activities related to student’s choice of major in Architecture, Art, and Planning
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 3 of mathematics (including pre-calculus), 3 of science, and 3 units of one foreign language (for heritage speakers or students who have initiated a foreign language sequence before high school, completion of at least the third level (e.g. Spanish 3)).
Recommended additional preparation:
- An additional unit of advanced mathematics and science
- Applicants are encouraged to explore virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Strong commitment to the liberal arts and sciences
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:
- 16 units, including 1 of chemistry, 1 of physics, and 4 of mathematics (2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of calculus)
Recommended additional preparation:
- Computer science
- A foreign language
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our engineering virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
- Problem solvers and innovators
- Students with creative skills and a sense of adventure
- Individuals who want to make a difference in the world and accomplish something of significance
- Strong skills in math and science
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (calculus is strongly recommended), and 4 of core science (including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics, and advanced biology, chemistry, or physics)
Special Requirements:
- Design and Environmental Analysis: Design Challenge required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Fashion Design and Management: Design Case Study required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Fashion Design: Portfolio required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Fiber Science: Fiber Science Index required; submit via cornellche.slideroom.com.
- Design Challenge, Design Case Study, or Portfolio are due by November 1 (for Early Decision) and January 2 (for Regular Decision)
Recommended additional preparation:
- Earn an outstanding record of achievement in a rigorous high school curriculum.
- Establish a strong match with the CHE's mission and programs as demonstrated through engaged participation in school and greater community, and clearly articulated in the CHE supplemental essay.
- Test your academic and career interests through activities — for example, community engagement, shadowing, work, etc. — related to your choice of CHE major.
- Participate in volunteer and/or work experience.
- Prospective design students: coursework in art and/or design
- Explore our virtual visit options.
- Review our first-year application tips.
- Interviews are not offered.
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (calculus and/or statistics is recommended), and 3 of science
Recommended additional preparation:
- A foreign language
- Outstanding record of achievement in a rigorous high school curriculum
- A demonstrated match with the Brooks School’s mission to make a positive change in the world, particularly in the following areas of focus: data science and technology policy, environmental and sustainability policy, the economics and politics of development, human security, health policy, inequality and social policy, and race, racism, and public policy.
- Volunteer, extracurricular and work experience
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including 1 of pre-calculus), 2 of science (including 1 of chemistry), and 3 of one foreign language (successful completion of level 3)
Secondary-School Subjects/Recommendations:
- Calculus is strongly recommended, unless precalculus is completed in grade 12
- Calculus is preferred to AP statistics
- An additional unit of science
Special Requirements:
- A resume submitted with your admissions application
Recommended additional preparation:
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Initiative, curiosity, teamwork, ingenuity
- Hospitality or service-industry exposure
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:
- 16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including calculus if offered at secondary school), and 3 of science (including biology and chemistry)
Secondary-School Subjects/Recommendations:
- An additional unit of science
- Advanced mathematics in grade 12 is preferred to AP statistics
Special Requirements:
- A resume submitted with your admissions application
Recommended additional preparation:
- Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
- Strong and demonstrated match with the school’s mission and opportunities
- Initiative, curiosity, teamwork, ingenuity
- Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:
- 16 units, including 4 of English and 4 of mathematics
Recommended additional preparation:
- Applicants are encouraged to watch our information session and explore virtual visit options
- ILR will interest leaders and problem-solvers who are drawn to social science, writing, business, and law courses and those who demonstrate a strong interest in the topics studied in ILR through relevant extracurricular, work, life, or service experience
- Interviews are not offered
Standardized Testing Requirements:
- Cornell has updated its policy to test-recommended and score-free for students applying to enroll for fall 2025. Review the standardized testing policy to see your intended college/school’s testing requirement.
- All applicants will be required to submit standardized test scores when applying to enroll for fall 2026 and beyond.
Units
The term “units” in high school typically refers to a completed class taken over the course of a semester or a year.