康奈尔大学 International FAQs

What tests are required for international students?

International applicants must take the tests required of all applicants. These include SAT or ACT with writing, and SAT Subject Tests (except those applying to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where the SAT Subject Tests are not required). (See our Freshman Requirements Chart for specific details.)

International students for whom English is not the first language are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. We will waive the TOEFL and/or IELTS requirement for students who have achieved a score of 670 on the Critical Reading section of the SAT or for those who have studied for at least four years in the United States or other nations where English is an official language.

Please note that Cornell does NOT waive the TOEFL/IELTS test requirement for students who have attended an English-speaking school in a non-English speaking country.

What are the conditions that have to be met in order to have the TOEFL/IELTS requirement waived?

Please note that Cornell does NOT waive the TOEFL/IELTS test requirement for students who have attended an English-speaking school in a non-English speaking country.

How do I receive a TOEFL waiver?

Do not request a TOEFL waiver until you have applied to Cornell. We cannot grant a TOEFL waiver until we have received your Common Application.

If you have achieved a score of at least 670 on the Critical Reading section of the SAT exam, there is no need to request a TOEFL waiver. TOEFL will automatically be waived when we receive your official SAT results.

To request a TOEFL waiver based on other acceptable criteria, please write to intl-inquiry@cornell.edu.

The subject of your email should be TOEFL Waiver. Please provide the following information in your email:

• First and last names as they appear on your application.

• Email address used on your application

• Date of Birth

• Reason for requesting a TOEFL waiver

You will receive a return email within two weeks indicating whether your TOEFL waiver has been granted.

Can I submit photocopies of my transcripts?

Transcripts should be sent directly by your school either electronically via the Common Application, or by mail. All transcripts must be official and must be translated into English. Transcripts should reflect subjects studied each year and marks received. If you have attended more than one school, we prefer to receive official records from each school.

Do A-levels or IB's exempt me from sending yearly transcripts?

No. Therefore, we are interested in your academic performance each year in addition to final exam results or predicted A-levels or IB marks.

Do A-levels or IB's exempt me from the SAT requirement?

No. SAT and SAT Subject Test requirements cannot be waived based on the completion, or submission of IB, A-levels, or other international credentials.

Is financial aid offered to international students?

Cornell University is pleased to provide financial aid to students who are not citizens of the United States. Financial aid for international students is made available from university funds as well as from scholarships that include (but are not limited to) the Cornell Club of Hong Kong Scholarship, the Robert and Wendy Purcell Scholarship for students from the Philippines and Thailand, and the Tata Scholarship for students from India. To apply for international financial aid, you should submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE. This application should be submitted by November 1 for early decision and February 15 for regular decision. International financial aid decisions are determined after admission decisions are made. Criteria include academic excellence, geographic diversity, and potential for campus participation and/or leadership.

Can international students apply under the Early Decision plan?

Yes. The deadline for Early Decision application materials is November 1.

I just started attending a university in my home country, but I want to apply to Cornell as a freshman. Is this possible?

No. If you have completed one-half year of full-time study at a university (12 or more credits), you must apply as a transfer applicant and arrange for records for all academic work to be sent to Cornell.

How and when do I get my I-20?

In order to receive an I-20, students must:

• be accepted to Cornell.

• indicate they will enroll by submitting the $400 enrollment deposit.

• document their ability to meet the cost of attendance by submitting the Declaration of Finances form.

Admitted international students will receive information about the Declaration of Finances and I-20 at the time of admission. In most cases, visa documentation and approval require more time than in the past, so submit your Declaration of Finances form as soon as you send your enrollment deposit. For further information, see the following websites: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html and www.isso.cornell.edu.

How do you consider U.S. citizens abroad and international students attending school in the U.S.?

We read applications based on where you currently attend school, rather than by your citizenship status. Your application will be read with others from the school you attend and those from the same state (U.S.) or country.

Can I apply for spring transfer admission as an international student?

Yes.