Students walking across the ARts QUad
Are you motivated to make your mark on the world?

Arts & Sciences Admissions

Bring your passion, or find one here

The College of Arts & Sciences is the heart of the university. As an A&S student, you will be at the center of an academic community that is constantly generating new ideas.

You will learn from excellent teachers who will challenge you to expand your imagination, while you sharpen your critical and creative responses to all encounters. You will be a part of a group of impressive, independent and diverse thinkers, who will help you forge your own path to discovery and transformation.

The College embodies Ezra Cornell’s founding vision where "any person can find instruction in any study."

A unique liberal arts experience

A unique liberal arts experience 

Irene Lessmeister, Director of Admissions at the College of Arts & Sciences, answers questions from prospective students about academics, student life, and admissions at Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences.

 

Find your place

Find your place

How will you fit into the A&S community?

Because the College of Arts & Sciences includes majors spanning the humanities, social sciences and physical sciences, you’ll be sure to find kindred spirits who share your academic interests. And the university’s vast offering of more than 1,000 student clubs means you also can connect with people who love the same things you do.

Our students are motivated, inspired and sincere. People say we’re one of the friendliest Ivies and we’re proud of that. You’ll find that our students challenge themselves academically and look forward to successful careers with impact, but they’re also preparing themselves for a meaningful life and purpose drives much of what they pursue.

If you have these qualities, you’re likely to thrive here, where you can work collaboratively with faculty and other students to understand the toughest questions and take on the world's greatest challenges

‘I learned to let my goals be limitless’

Our students follow their own pathways to discovery during their time at Cornell. Read a few of their stories to find out about the classes, activities, friends and professors who made their experiences here transformational.

I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.

Ezra Cornell on October 7, 1868, at the official dedication of Cornell University

Equity and diversity

Equity and diversity

'Any person, any study'

Our cofounders were committed to creating a university that was open to all individuals. And Ezra Cornell’s motto is something we have in our minds every day, as we constantly strive for a more equitable and inclusive atmosphere for all. Diversity takes on a broad meaning at Cornell and specifically in the College of Arts & Sciences.

The university takes its commitment to diversity seriously, undertaking numerous initiatives including the Presidential Task Force on Campus Climate and the Provost’s Task Force to Enhance Faculty Diversity. We know this commitment is one that requires constant work and attention and that work continues.

person teaching American Sign Language to a group in a circle
John Munson/Cornell University Brenda Schertz teaches her students American Sign Language as well as deaf history, education and cultural norms.

New ASL minor, events expand opportunities for students on campus

American Sign Language
A&S Communications
Interior of a grand building with a central desk and arched opening along the sides; book shelves
Andreas Praefcke/Creative Commons license 3.0 Main Reading Room, Library of Congress (Jefferson Building), Washington, D.C.

Working toward Black reproductive justice from the Library of Congress

American history
A&S Communications
Person speaks to an audience in a room lighted blue
Evangeline Shaw/Unsplash Being a woman or racial minority can help someone stand out when few others look like them but they are more likely to be confused in settings where others share the same attributes.

Remember me? Gender, race may make you forgettable

Economics
Cornell Chronicle
60 & 50

Students come from 60 countries and all 50 states

40+

Our offerings allow students to choose from 42 majors and 69 minors

11.3%

11.3 percent of our students are the first in their family to attend college

A global university

Offering a world of options to international students

The College of Arts & Sciences has welcomed international students with open arms throughout its history, with its American liberal arts and sciences education that allows you to explore all of your interests.

We can help, supporting you as you take a variety of classes to find the discipline that you love. And with staff across campus who understand the special needs and challenges of international students, we can smooth your transition to learning in the U.S.

International student application process

International student services

Unlimited opportunities

Unlimited opportunities

Career opportunities

What will you do with a degree from A&S?

Your liberal arts education will help you understand the foundations of knowledge, inquiry and creativity and prepare you for this era of rapid social, technological, economic and environmental change.

After graduation, you could go on to a prestigious graduate program, pursue an advanced professional degree or go directly into a challenging and rewarding career.

>30%

Of A&S students work closely with faculty in research & independent study.

10

students per faculty advisor (avg)

woman feeding fish
Patrick Shanahan Blythe Wong '25 feeds some of the thousands of Poecilia parae fish in Mudd Hall.

Undergrads relish challenging Nexus Scholar projects

Nexus Scholars Program
A&S Communications
three people talking
Jesse Winter Students and alumni met for a summer networking event June 26 in New York City.

Networking events help students explore career pathways

Networking and careers
A&S Communications
two woman standing at railing
Jesse Winter Natalie Arimah '19, left, and Jen Maclaughlin were able to connect this month at a student-alumni networking event in New York City.

Young alums find career support through A&S office

Career development
A&S Communications
man and woman
Provided Jessie Kapstad '24, right, poses with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during his summer experience last year.

Summer Experience Grant applications now open

Student experiences
A&S Communications
Assistant Director of Admissions, Alyssa Bachmann '11, gives an overview of career development opportunities in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Starting your journey

Starting your journey

Applying

Requirements and process

Admissions advisors are looking for academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, a commitment to a liberal arts education, and a demonstrated record of having a positive impact on your community.

Accessible to all

Financial aid and tuition

Because Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, a Cornell education is often much more affordable than you might expect. Learn more about financial aid.

Questions for us?

A&S Undergraduate Admissions - call 607-255-4833 or email as_admissions@cornell.edu

A&S Transfer Admissions (Internal and External) - email as-transfer@cornell.edu