Cornell University
Finalists who rank Cornell University
If you are a Finalist who ranked Cornell University, your National College Match application will be sent to Cornell University, and you will need to submit the following requirements to the school by November 1. If you have questions after reviewing the information below, please reach out to the school directly.
Requirements
Cornell University Application Status Portal Activation
QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to college partners on October 21, and Cornell University may need a couple of days to import them into their system. Once processed, Cornell University will then email you instructions to log in and activate your applicant portal, where you can track the status of the materials you submit.
Submit these items along with official transcripts, School Report, and two recommendations. If these documents were submitted as part of your QuestBridge Application, you do not need to submit them again.
The Cornell QuestBridge Supplement will be available through the Cornell Applicant Portal Cornell Applicant Portal. You will receive login instructions for how to access the Application Portal once your application has been received by Cornell.
While you will not receive access to the Cornell Applicant Portal until after you are named a Finalist, you can prepare your answers for the Cornell QuestBridge Supplement ahead of time.
The supplement will ask you to:
- Pick the school/major to which you are applying
- Learn more about Cornell's colleges and schools here
- Answer a few additional academic-oriented questions
- Write a Cornell-specific essay
Some programs have additional requirements:
- Art
- Architecture
- Business
- Design & Environmental Analysis
- Fashion Design and Management
- Landscape Architecture
If you submitted an official transcript through QuestBridge, it will be accepted by Cornell. If you submitted an unofficial transcript, please have your high school counselor or registrar submit your official transcript directly to the Cornell’s Undergraduate Admissions Office (see Contact Information below).
First-year applicants to Cornell University are required to submit SAT or ACT test scores. In addition to test scores, Cornell will consider both the context provided by the rest of a student's application materials and the context of where they are applying from—their high school, personal circumstances, and background.
For the SAT, Cornell participates in the College Board Score Choice program, and considers the highest section scores across test dates. For the ACT, Cornell considers the highest composite score across all ACT test dates. The science section of the ACT is not required.
Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application. Matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.
Learn more about Cornell’s standardized testing policies.
All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their engagement in their university studies. If English is not your native language or if you have not attended high school in a country where English is an official language for the four years prior to your planned enrollment at Cornell, you may be asked to submit results from one of the following English language proficiency examinations listed below. Dozens of examinations are considered and accepted and other qualifications from around the world in meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement, including TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo.
2026-2027 CSS Profile
CSS code: 2098
Available: Oct. 1
Learn more about completing the CSS Profile.
Please select "Regular Decision" as your admission application type.
If your parents are divorced or separated, your custodial parent and your noncustodial parent are required to complete separate CSS Profile applications using their own unique log-in credentials. Noncustodial parents should complete their CSS Profile after students/custodial parents begin their application.
Learn more about completing the CSS Profile for noncustodial parents.
If you do not have contact with your noncustodial parent or there are other extenuating circumstances, please review and submit a Noncustodial Parent CSS Profile Waiver Request.
After receiving your financial aid application(s), Cornell may request additional forms or documentation. Requests are initiated by Cornell, via the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). If you receive an IDOC request:
Upload signed copies of requested documents via your IDOC Student Dashboard.
2026-2027 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 002711
Submit as soon as available
The FAFSA will open this fall. Please complete the FAFSA as soon as it is available.
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens only.
Additional information on eligibility for filing the FAFSA can be found here.
Finalists who do not match cannot be considered for Early Decision admission to Cornell but can be considered in the Regular Decision process.
All Finalists who rank Cornell for the Match but do not match with Cornell or any other QuestBridge institution will automatically have their applications moved into Regular Decision review. Please submit updated transcripts and any other relevant updates.
Do not submit a separate Common Application; additional applications will be deleted.
If you no longer wish to be considered, you must complete the Application Withdrawal Request Form, available through your Cornell Applicant Portal.
Regular Decision Requirements:
Step 1: Select Cornell University on the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management page between November 4 - December 11. Only check the box if you fully intend to submit a complete application to Cornell University (including all of the materials detailed in the table below).
Step 2: Activate your Cornell University Applicant Portal. QuestBridge will send Finalists’ applications to Cornell University on December 16 and Cornell University may need a couple days to import them into their system. Use the Cornell University applicant portal, sent to you via email, to track the status of your materials you submit to Cornell University.
Step 3: Submit all additional required application and financial materials by the applicable deadlines directly to Cornell University as detailed in the table below.
Finalists who ranked Cornell and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)
Finalists who did not rank Cornell
For Finalists who did not rank Cornell: The Cornell QuestBridge Supplement will be available through the Applicant Portal. You will receive login instructions for how to access the Cornell Applicant Portal once your application has been forwarded to Cornell.
Cornell University requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application. Matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.
Cornell University requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application. Matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.