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Get in touch: +1-800-991-0126
Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 4/23/26/em>
When do Cornell decisions come out? Read on to learn when you can expect to hear back from Cornell University!
As one of the top 20 schools in the U.S., Cornell University is a prestigious university that attracts brilliant scholars each year. If you’ve applied to Cornell or plan to, you’re probably wondering when Cornell decisions come out.
This guide will cover early and regular decision Cornell notification dates, ways to apply, and more.
Cornell identifies as a private research university with a public mission. The school’s mission statement is:
“to discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community.”
As one of eight Ivy League schools, Cornell undergraduates can enjoy the school's plentiful resources, including research centers and institutes, labs, and programs.
Cornell has eight undergraduate schools for students to choose from:
With nearly 80 majors and 122 minors, students can enroll in classes that transcend department boundaries.
Bookworms and library lovers can also spend time in the Cornell University Library’s cozy atmosphere. Librarians are available 24/7 to help you navigate endless collections and delve deeper into your interest areas.
If you're looking for a step-by-step manual on how to get into Cornell and other prestigious colleges, take a look at our college guides.
Cornell has listed the 2024/2025 admissions cycle dates – here are the important dates you should know. Please be advised that these dates are subject to change slightly in the next application cycle:
Cornell Early Decision: Early decision applications are due November 1. You should receive your admissions decision sometime in mid-December (Cornell doesn’t offer an exact date).
Cornell Regular Decision: Regular decision applicants need to submit their applications by January 2, and financial aid forms are due on February 15. The Cornell regular decision release date coincides with Ivy League Decision Day, typically in early April.
Spring Semester Transfer Applications: Your application materials are due on October 15, and you’ll receive your admissions decision sometime in November.
Fall Semester Transfer Applications: Fall transfer applications are due on March 15; you’ll receive an admissions decision in May or June.
There are four ways to apply to Cornell University: through early decision, regular decision, or as a spring or fall transfer student. All Cornell applications are submitted using the Common Application.
Please note that when you apply to Cornell, you apply to one of its undergraduate schools, not the university as a whole. You’re prohibited from switching colleges you mark on your application after submission, so choose wisely!
If you’re a high school student or not currently enrolled in college, you may consider early decision if Cornell is your first-choice school. Cornell’s early decision program is binding, meaning you must attend and withdraw any other applications.
Most applicants choose to apply through regular decision. You’ll receive your admissions decision around the same time as you would for all other schools you apply to.
To apply as a transfer student, you must have earned at least 12 credits at another college. Two Cornell schools don't accept spring transfers: The College of Engineering and The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.
You must submit many of the same materials you would as a first-year student, with minor differences. For example, you must have a recommendation letter from one of your college professors.
You may have differing deadlines for mandatory supplements such as portfolios depending on the school you apply to.
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Now that you know when Cornell decisions come out, you can decide which timeline works best for you. Below are the benefits and considerations of each application timeline.
While most applicants apply through regular decision, Cornell receives thousands of early applications each year. These are the pros of applying through early decision:
early applicants often producing high-quality applications
There are also some downsides to consider with early decision:
Cornell early decision is best for applicants who know the school is their first choice, can pull together a perfect application on time, and are comfortable with their estimated financial aid package.
Most students apply through regular decision. These are the benefits:
Regular decision applicants should also consider that:
Regular decision is best for students who need more time to complete their applications, want to compare financial aid packages, and aren’t sure Cornell is their first-choice school.
Transfer applicants can choose to apply for the spring or fall semesters. The main difference between these application timelines is that you can’t apply to The College of Engineering and The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management as a spring transfer.
Overall, when to apply as a transfer is up to you: it may be easier to transfer if you enroll for the fall, but you can have more time to craft your application in your sophomore year with a spring transfer.
If you still have questions about Cornell decisions and more, check out these FAQs!
Cornell regular decision notification is typically released between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Ivy Day.
You can check the status of your application by accessing your Application Status Page.
Cornell doesn’t provide an exact date for when Early Decision notifications come out, but you should expect to hear back sometime in mid-December.
Recent class profile data shows that the school received 9,555 early applications and accepted 1,831 students. The Cornell early decision acceptance rate is 19.2%.
Cornell admits 500 to 600 transfer students each spring and fall.
Cornell recently received 61,609 regular decision applications and accepted 3,077 students for an acceptance rate of 5.0%.
Since the school admits 500 to 600 students on average each spring and fall, the Cornell transfer acceptance rate depends on how many students apply. Many sources have various estimates, often between 15% and 17%.
Waiting for an admission decision from Cornell University can be nerve-wracking, but at least you now know when Cornell RD notifications come out. Whether you applied early or not, there's not much else you can do while you wait for your decision but to go about your regular life.
With enough patience, you’ll receive your admissions decision before you know it. Good luck with your applications!
