Cornell seal
Back

Discover CALS

See how our current work and research is bringing new thinking and new solutions to some of today's biggest challenges.

Man planting in a garden.

Undergraduate Admissions

Pursue knowledge while pursuing your purpose

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to one of Cornell University’s largest populations of students, faculty, and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach.

The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

Since our founding, we have evolved continuously to meet the changing needs of our world. Our top-ranked programs include over 20 majors in community and rural development, environment and natural resources, food and nutrition, communication, applied economics, agriculture, international programs, and life sciences.

Degrees & Programs

We've created several ways for you to delve into what CALS has to offer.  Not sure what major is right for you? Explore our offerings grouped by Interest.  Want to head straight to our majors?  Discover our majors grouped under Degree Programs.  Curious which majors might fit with your career aspirations?  Check out our Careers! 

Find a program
Two students planting seedlings in a crop field.

First-Year Students

Applying to college is an important step! From admissions requirements to a list of CALS majors, you'll find it all here.  We can't wait to CUatCALS! 

Learn About Applying

Transfer Applicants

Many pathways can lead to a degree from Cornell CALS. We welcome students with diverse experiences. 

Learn About Transferring

Tuition & Aid

You’re encouraged to work closely with our Financial Aid Office.

Learn About Tuition & Aid

Let’s connect

Learn how you can spark unexpected discoveries, inspire pioneering solutions and improve lives through purpose-driven science.

Undergraduate Admissions Working Remotely

Like so many offices during the pandemic, the CALS Admissions office is closed to visitors and our team will be conducting business remotely until further notice. We understand that during this time in particular you may have a lot of questions about applying to CALS. The very best way to reach us is by email at cals_admissions [at] cornell.edu. Don't hesitate to reach out!

 

We can't wait to get to know you as an applicant!

Undergraduate Stories

Field Note

Chobani scholars pursue dreams in animal science, agriculture
For the past four years, the Chobani Scholars Program has supported students from dairy farming backgrounds who are pursuing careers in dairy. This year, with its new focus on supporting historically underserved students who have a broad set of...
  • Animal Science
  • Food Science
  • Dairy
Girl in bike gear stands on top of hay

Field Note

Lorelei Meidenbauer ’22: A vision for justice with affordable housing at its core
Meet Lorelei Meidenbauer ’22, whose passion for affordable housing and social justice in the U.S. is helping create a flourishing world. From supporting rural schools in New York State through grant writing to biking across the country with Bike...
  • Department of Global Development
  • Global Development
Megan Lamb ’22 at the The William H Miner Agricultural Research Institute

Field Note

Megan Lamb ’22: Reflections from the next generation of ag educators
Megan Lamb ’22, an agricultural sciences major, participated in a joint summer internship program between the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) and the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute. Lamb’s internship was made possible...
  • Agriculture Sciences Major
  • Animal Science
Roop Singh ’14 talking in front of a group

Field Note

Multimedia

Roop Singh ’14: Translating the science of climate change
Roop Singh ’14, a climate risk advisor for the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, talks about her climate work and shares how her time in CALS laid the foundation for her career and helped her reconnect with family roots.
  • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Climate Change
Winfield Mac sitting at a desk with computers

Field Note

Winfield Mac ’23: Applying information science to food safety
Winfield Mac ’23 spent the summer interning with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Laboratory and shares how the internship helped him apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems.
  • Food

Opportunity Spotlight

Apply what you learn through real-world experiences and internships.

Faculty Spotlight

Passionate teachers, researchers & world-renowned leaders in their fields.

Research Spotlight

Join research teams taking on some of today’s most pressing issues.

Student and CALS faculty member planting in a greenhouse
three people examining plants under a plastic covering
graduate students doing research