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First-Year Applicants

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Before you apply

You are a first-year applicant if you'll complete high school during the 2026-2027 academic year or if you've graduated from high school but have earned fewer than 12 credits at a college or university. 

If you are an international applicant, see additional information for international students.

Choose a major

Applicants to Cornell CALS apply directly to one of our 20+ majors in the life, agricultural, environmental, and social sciences. If admitted, you will jump right into your major and gain access to a community of fellow students, faculty and staff who share your interests. While your major will serve as your initial grounding point, your CALS experience will be flexible and exploratory as you take coursework across disciplines, participate in experiential learning, and develop new skills. 

It is normal to have some trouble selecting one major. Our strongest CALS candidates often have a multitude of interests, many of which are housed in more than one CALS major. As you approach the process of choosing a major, consider asking yourself the following questions:

  • Can you recall which classes, subject matters, assignments and/or projects were most interesting to you? Can you identify common themes?
  • What extracurricular activities (clubs, hobbies, organizations, volunteering, work, etc.) bring you the most amount of joy, fulfillment, and curiosity? Which ones do you find yourself looking forward to each year?
  • Is there a particular career, job, field or educational goal you have in mind for yourself?

Students who thrive at CALS are eager to dive into subjects they love while staying open to discovering new interests. Start exploring CALS majors to answer these questions and more. 

The CALS Admissions Team is here to help! Please contact us if you need more information or have specific questions at cals_admissions [at] cornell.edu.

Review the Admission Requirements for CALS

CALS seeks students who maintain a rigorous high school curriculum and demonstrate an outstanding record of academic achievement.

  • 4 Units of English
  • 4 Units of Mathematics (pre-calculus required*)
  • 3 Units of Science (biology and chemistry required, physics strongly recommended**)
  • Also recommended: an additional unit of science

For applicants in the following majors an additional quantitative math course is recommended (e.g. Statistics): Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Communication, Entomology, Environment & Sustainability, Global Development, Landscape Architecture, Plant Sciences, and Viticulture & Enology

*Calculus is required for Atmospheric Science, Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Earth & Climate Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Food Science, Global & Public Health Sciences, Information Science, Nutritional Sciences, and Statistics & Biometry.

**Physics is required for Atmospheric Science, Biological Engineering, Earth & Climate Sciences, and Environmental Engineering.

We recognize that high school curricula differ widely across schools, states, and countries. The CALS Admissions team evaluates each applicant’s academic preparation within the context of their unique educational environment. This includes, but is not limited to, curriculum types such as AP, IB, Honors, dual enrollment, GCSE/A-Level and other international programs; academic calendar systems like quarter, semester, trimester, and block schedules; as well as the specific coursework available and any scheduling constraints communicated. 

The goal of providing academic requirements by major is to ensure that students are academically prepared for success at Cornell CALS. However, given the variation in educational contexts, the Admissions team always seeks to understand how a student demonstrates readiness—even if their academic program doesn’t align exactly with our stated requirements. 

  • Landscape architecture: Portfolio required
  • CALS does not conduct personal interviews as part of the application process.

Choose Between Early Decision and Regular Decision

Is Cornell the perfect fit for you? Consider applying under the early decision option. 

A majority of first-year students apply under the regular decision plan. However, if you have completed a thorough college search and are certain that Cornell is your first choice, you may consider applying under the early decision plan. Early decision at Cornell is a binding commitment. While you may apply to other, non-binding early admissions programs, you may only apply early decision to one school. Early decision means you have committed to enroll at Cornell if accepted, and you must withdraw any applications sent to other schools and send your acceptance deposit by the date specified in your acceptance letter. About a third of each entering class is admitted by early decision.

Application

Helpful Application Information

Application Deadlines

Scheduling test dates, completing essays and balancing everyday responsibilities can get very hectic. Stay organized by reviewing application deadlines and planning ahead.

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