Admissions Responses FAQ

Accepting, deferring, and reapplying

How do I accept an admissions offer?

Admissions letters are sent directly from your graduate field and include important information on funding and resources at Cornell. To accept Cornell’s offer of admission, please visit www.gradschool.cornell.edu/response, log into your ApplyWeb account and select your Cornell application.  You will find a section labeled “Decision” with instructions on how to accept or decline Cornell's offer.   Of course, you must be formally offered admission before you can accept or decline Cornell offer.

How long do I have to accept an offer of admission?

Admissions letters are sent directly from your graduate field and include important information on funding and resources at Cornell. To accept Cornell’s offer of admission, please visit www.gradschool.cornell.edu/response, log into your ApplyWeb account and select your Cornell application.  You will find a section labeled “Decision” with instructions on how to accept or decline Cornell's offer.   Of course, you must be formally offered admission before you can accept or decline Cornell offer.

How long do I have to accept an offer of admission?

Your offer of admission letter will indicate when a response is due.  Cornell abides by the Council of Graduate Schools’ “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants”, extracted below and available on the CGS website http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf.

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.

Early notification is always appreciated and helps us plan for the upcoming year. 

May I defer my offer of admission?

You may be able to defer entrance to your program for one or two semesters under some special circumstances.  To inquire about a deferral please contact your graduate field directly. 

I was not offered admission and want to re-apply next year.  How do I reapply?  

If you are refused admission or declined a previous offer, you may reapply in the future using the standard online application.  You should plan to submit new supporting materials to be considered for admission.  Information on fees and fee waivers can be found here: http://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/fees   

Funding and next steps

I have questions about my funding package.  Who should I contact?

If you have questions about your funding package as described in your admission letter, please contact your field of study.

I have accepted an admissions offer.  What do I do next?

Welcome!  Your first step should be to visit www.newstudents.cornell.edu. This site contains a checklist of items to help you prepare to start your program at Cornell. You will soon receive an email from Cornell’s Computing and Information Technology service with instructions to activate your Cornell email account and network ID (NetID). Your NetID will allow you to access many online systems at Cornell.

How can I learn more about life at Cornell? 

To learn more about life at Cornell, please visit the following websites:

I will be entering the United States on a student visa and have questions about the immigration process. Who should I contact?

Cornell’s International Student and Scholars Office can help with all immigration issues and help with your adjustment to life at Cornell. www.isso.cornell.edu

I wish to apply for housing and don’t have my NetId.  What do I do?

If you do NOT have a NetId, please visit this website to apply for housing. https://housingweb.campuslife.cornell.edu/register/GeneratedSection.aspx?Params=L9ezxPcQnQsKfjb/N3ih6k6iRtQRWwfb

If you do have a NetId,  please use the first link under graduate and professional housing to apply for housing.  http://www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/housing/apply-for-housing.cfm