Cornell’s commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion begins with recruitment. Consider Cornell: Explore provides an excellent opportunity for scholars (see eligibility criteria below) to gain an insider look at the graduate admissions process and learn the steps they can take to create a top-quality graduate school application package. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from, and engage with, Cornell faculty and current graduate students.

This program is open to anyone interested in learning more about graduate education, but we especially encourage applications from rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, recent graduates, and others who intend to apply for Ph.D. or master’s programs. 

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 application. 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

International students, whether currently residing in U.S. or abroad, are encouraged to apply for Consider Cornell: Explore.

As part of the online application, you will be asked to write a one-paragraph statement, explaining why you are interested in participating in the program. You will not be asked to attach or upload any additional documentation. 

Applicants will begin receiving notifications shortly after the application is closed and the application review process is complete. If you are accepted to participate in Consider Cornell: Explore, you will be asked to fill out your participation survey by Friday, June 14, 2024.