We don’t have the exact Cornell decision-date details & dates yet, but we’ll update this article as soon as they are available.
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 everything you need to know about Cornell decision dates, ways you can apply, and the pros and cons of each application timeline.
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, take a look at our college guides.
Cornell hasn't listed dates and deadlines for the 2022/2023 admissions cycle yet, but they provide general timeframes for when to expect to receive your admissions decision.
Cornell Early Decision: Early Decision applications are due at the beginning of November. You should receive your admissions decision sometime in mid-December.
Cornell Regular Decision: Regular Decision applicants will need to submit all required materials in early January, and financial aid forms are due in mid-February. Admissions decisions will be released on Ivy League Decision Day, typically at the end of March or early April.
Spring Semester Transfer Applications: Your application materials are due in mid-October, and you’ll receive your admissions decision sometime in November.
Fall Semester Transfer Applications: Fall transfer applications are due in mid-March; 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 are 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 to other schools.
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'll need to 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.
Please note that you may have differing deadlines for mandatory supplements such as portfolios depending on the school you apply to.
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:
There are also some downsides to consider with Early Decision:
Early Decision is best for applicants who know Cornell is their first choice, who can pull together a perfected application on time, and who 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 that 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’s 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 Cornell received 9,017 Early Decision applications and accepted 1,930 students, with an acceptance rate of 21.4%.
Cornell admits 500 to 600 transfer students each spring and fall.
Given that Cornell's acceptance rate has historically been over 10% (although the recent acceptance rate was 8.7%), Cornell is widely considered the easiest Ivy League school to get into. However, Cornell is highly selective despite it being the "easiest."
Waiting for an admission decision from Cornell University can be nerve-wracking, but at least you now know when Cornell decisions come out. 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!