When do I need to apply?

Applicants for Fall semester admission should apply by January 15th. Most decisions regarding admission and associated funding are made in February and March.

Applications may be considered at other times of the year under unusual circumstances, e.g., where funding becomes available to a faculty member for a specific research project. Applications submitted between April 1 and November 1 seldom receive consideration unless a faculty member has advertised an opening for a specific research assistantship.

What criteria are used in admissions?

It is essential that you not only have excellent academic credentials, but also have corresponded with faculty members to discuss your background and interests. The most important admissions criteria are: (1) a student's academic record and work experience, and (2) the extent to which a faculty member shares common research and professional interests with the prospective student, plus is willing to supervise that student during their graduate studies. Students are reviewed for admission by the Admissions Committee after a faculty member requests review of a prospective student’s completed application materials: application form, statement of purpose, transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation.

Typical expectations for admitted graduate students include:

• Undergraduate Major – Students are accepted from a range of undergraduate majors in the natural and social sciences, as well as math and humanities.
• Letters of Recommendation – Letters of support from university faculty members or other professional researchers provide the best indication of an applicant’s ability to effectively pursue graduate research.
• Statement of purpose – Students should provide a clear and concise statement of their proposed research and coursework interests, as well as relevant past experiences that have led them to those interests.
• Work experience – Most of our students have several years of relevant work experience following completion of their undergraduate degree.

Any additional considerations regarding your credentials should be discussed with faculty members who are considering you for admission.

How should I apply?

It is important to identify a prospective faculty advisor who shares your interests and is willing to make a commitment to work with you during the course of your graduate studies. Identify faculty who have interests similar to your own and send them an email explaining your interests, academic background and include a resume. If you receive a positive response from a faculty member, work with them to schedule a visit to meet with other faculty and current graduate students. If you are not able to visit campus, schedule a phone interview with prospective faculty advisors.

Remember, we do not accept students without a faculty advisor, so it is important to have a faculty sponsor. You might also consider applying to related graduate fields at Cornell, including Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Soil and Crop Sciences, Development Sociology, and International Agriculture. Each graduate field has different admissions procedures; therefore the application process may be different for each program of graduate study at Cornell.

Generally, you do not need to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies during a campus visit unless you have specific questions that have not been addressed. If you have questions about application procedures or your application status, contact the Graduate Field Assistant, Christie Sayre (cms44@cornell.edu). If you have questions about the overall graduate program that have not been answered by faculty who share your interests, contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Cliff Kraft (cek7@cornell.edu).

In order to be officially considered for admission you must submit your formal application to the Graduate School. Some applicants prefer to wait to formally apply until they have received encouragement from a particular faculty advisor, while others prefer to have their applications available for review by all faculty even if they have not yet established serious interest by a particular faculty advisor. Applicant admissions folders are regularly reviewed by faculty during the January through March time period when most candidates are admitted.