Cornell’s commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion begins with recruitment. Consider Cornell: Experience provides an excellent opportunity for scholars (see eligibility criteria below) to gain an insider look at the graduate admissions process and take the steps to create a top-quality graduate school application package. The unique features of this program include one-on-one reviewing of application components, advice on strategies for effective interactions with key stakeholders from academic departments and the Graduate School, and individual meetings with potential faculty advisors. You will also immerse yourself in campus culture through campus and lab tours as well as individualized engagements with your intended fields of study.

This program is intended for scholars, both domestic and international, currently residing in the United States, who are preparing to apply to a Ph.D. program at Cornell University for the upcoming application cycle. Open to scholars from all backgrounds, this program has a particular focus on engaging scholars who have demonstrated commitment and potential to significantly contribute Cornell’s core value to provide a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together. You will communicate your potential contributions to the Cornell community through your short essay response on your potential contributions to the Cornell community.

Within your response, you may also provide details of lessons learned from any of your lived experiences including but not limited to

• being a first-generation college student or graduate (no parent/guardian completed a baccalaureate degree)
• being racialized as someone who identifies with racial/ethnic backgrounds (such as Black or African American, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latine, and/or Southeast Asian) historically excluded from and underrepresented in graduate education
• managing a disability or chronic health condition
• experiencing housing, food, economic, and/or other forms of significant insecurity
• being a solo parent
• identifying with a gender and/or sexual orientation historically underrepresented in a field of study
• having served in the military
• holding DACA, refugee, TPS or asylee status

Although this program does not have travel funds for international scholars residing abroad, international students who are currently residing in the U.S. are encouraged to apply for consideration.

This program is intended for scholars, currently residing in the United States, who are preparing to apply to a Ph.D. program at Cornell University for the upcoming (Fall 2024) application cycle. Therefore, it is not intended for those interested in masters and professional degree programs.

The Consider Cornell: Experience is a two-day, immersive on-campus program that will take place on the Cornell University campus in New York, October 13-14, with travel to Ithaca on October 12 and departure on October 15. Please ensure that you are available on all four days: October 12-15 to be able to take full advantage of the program.

As part of the online application, you will be asked to enter background information, respond to four short essay questions (100-250 words) and provide the following documents and items: 

1. Resume/CV: 1-2 pages in length. This can contain information including but not limited to, work experience, research experience, education, special skills/certifications, presentations, additional training, awards, and leadership/volunteer service. 
2. Academic Transcripts (official/unofficial): Include transcripts from all institutions you have attended. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
3. A ranked list of five Cornell faculty who you would be interested in meeting if chosen for the program. We recommend you visit the faculty page on your field of interest’s website to identify the faculty, whose academic and/or research interests are most closely aligned with yours.

All documents should be submitted in PDF format.

All costs associated with participating in this two-day program, including travel, lodging and meals will be paid by Cornell University. 

If you apply, are accepted and participate in Consider Cornell: Experience, the Cornell Graduate School will waive your PhD application fee.

Applicants will begin receiving notifications in late August via email. 

Applicants who are accepted to the Consider Cornell: Experience program will be contacted to make travel arrangements and provide important information about accessibility and other logistical necessities. 

You will also be asked to submit a draft of your graduate school Academic Statement of Purpose ahead of your travel. This will be used exclusively for the one-on-one feedback sessions and is not intended to be a final version for submission to a graduate program.