When Do Cornell Decisions Come Out?

Updated:
July 12, 2024
3 min read
Expert Reviewed
Contents

”Mary

Reviewed by:

Mary Banks

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 7/12/24

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's decisions come out. 

This guide will cover early and regular decision Cornell notification dates, ways to apply, and more.

About Cornell 

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: 

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
  • College of Art, Architecture, and Planning
  • College of Arts and Sciences 
  • Cornell SC Johnson School of Business
  • School of Hotel Administration
  • Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Human Ecology
  • School of Industrial and Labor Relations

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, take a look at our Cornell guide.

When Do Cornell Decisions Come Out? 

Cornell releases admission decisions for first-year, regular-decision applicants in late March, while early-decision candidates receive their decisions in mid-December. The 2024/2025 admissions cycle dates are subject to change, but as of now, early decision applications are due November 1, with decisions expected in mid-December. 

Regular decision applicants should submit their applications by January 2, with decisions usually released in early April.  The Cornell regular decision release date coincides with Ivy League Decision Day, typically in early April. 

For transfer students, spring semester applications are due on October 15, with decisions in November, while fall semester applications are due on March 15, with decisions in May or June.

What Are the Ways I Can Apply to Cornell University? 

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! 

Early Decision

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. 

Regular Decision

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. 

Spring and Fall Transfer Applications

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.

Let's dive into what it takes to get into Cornell. The video will cover admissions stats, requirements, and practical advice to boost your chances. Check it out for actionable tips. 

Pros and Cons of Each Program

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. 

Early Decision

While most applicants apply through regular decision, Cornell receives thousands of early applications each year. These are the pros of applying through early decision: 

  • Applicants often enjoy higher acceptance rates, although this can be attributed to 

early applicants often produce high-quality applications

  • You’ll know the fate of your application sooner 
  • There’s no need to worry about which school to pick if you’re accepted 
  • You can spend less time waiting for an admissions decision and more time enjoying your last year of high school (if you’re accepted) 

There are also some downsides to consider with early decision: 

  • You have less time to perfect your application and gather the necessary materials 
  • You can’t apply to other early programs 
  • You won’t be able to compare financial aid at other schools 
  • You can get deferred to regular decision
  • You’ll have to differentiate your application and stand out even more from high-caliber applicants 

Cornell's early decision application is best for students who know the school is their first choice, can complete an application on time, and are comfortable with their estimated financial aid package. 

Dan Stratford, a two-time Stanford University School of Business graduate and Quad admissions consultant, notes that showing real interest in a school can be done through early decision: 

“One of the ways you can show passion and commitment to a school is through early decision. You should show that you're really passionate about it and one of the ways you can do that is through doing an early action or early decision.”

Make sure early decision feels right:

“What I would caution against is if it's not right, don't do it. It has to be authentic.”

Regular Decision

Most students apply through regular decision. These are the benefits: 

  • You have more time to create your application 
  • You have more time and choice to decide which school you want to attend
  • You can apply early to any other school 
  • You can compare financial aid packages 

Regular decision applicants should also consider that: 

  • There will be a longer wait to receive an admissions decision
  • You’ll need to decide where to attend: you may have numerous choices, which can be challenging 
  • Generally, regular decision acceptance rates are lower than early decision (due to more applicants to compete against) 

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 Applications

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 a spring transfer gives you more time to craft your application in your sophomore year. 

Curious about your shot at Cornell? Take Quad’s Will I Get Into Cornell Quiz. It's quick, easy, and tailored to help you understand where you stand in the admissions process. Check out this tool to boost your confidence and make informed decisions about your college journey.

Cornell Decisions FAQs 

If you still have questions about Cornell decisions and more, check out these FAQs! 

1. What Time Do Cornell Decisions Come Out? 

Cornell's regular decision notification is typically released between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Ivy Day. 

2. How Do You Tell If You Got Into Cornell? 

You can check the status of your application by accessing your Application Status Page. 

3. When Do Cornell’s Early Decisions Come Out? 

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. 

4. What Is Cornell’s Early Decision Acceptance Rate? 

Recent class profile data shows that the school received 9,520 early applications and accepted 1,736 students. The Cornell early decision acceptance rate is 18.2%.

5. How Many Transfer Students Does Cornell Accept? 

Cornell admits 500 to 600 transfer students each spring and fall.  

6. What Is Cornell’s Regular Decision Acceptance Rate?

After accepting an estimated 3,403 regular decision applications, Cornell currently has an acceptance rate of about 5.8%. 

7. What Is Cornell’s Transfer Acceptance Rate?

Since the school admits 500 to 600 students on average each spring and fall, the Cornell transfer acceptance rate depends on the number of students who apply. Based on the most recent admissions cycle, it currently stands at 17.09%. 

Final Thoughts

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! 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Thanks ! You're now subscribed!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get A Free Consultation

Speak to a college admissions expert about how we can help you get into your dream school
Schedule a Call

You May Also Like

Before you go, here are a few facts about us!
The Quad Factor: Working with us can increase your chances of admission by 11x!

The Best of the Best: Our team comprises of only 99th percentile tutors and admissions counselors from top-ranking universities, meaning you work with only the most experienced, talented experts.

The Free Consultation: Our experts would love to get to know you, your background, goals, and needs. From there, they match you with a best-fit consultant who will create a detailed project plan and application strategy focused on your success.