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                                                                 Primary/Alternate College Admission


Primary/Alternate Admission
Beginning with the Class of 2012, Cornell University will offer applicants for undergraduate admission the option of
applying to both a primary and an alternate choice college, recognizing that Cornell's undergraduate colleges and schools
offer a multitude of distinctive academic programs, and that many applicants have diverse intellectual interests that may be
satisfied by more than one college or school. Only exceptional candidates with a serious intellectual passion satisfied by
the alternate choice college or school will be considered. The decision to consider an application is at the discretion of the
admission committee in the alternate choice college.


Cornell University's Undergraduate Colleges and Schools
Admission requirements are established by each of Cornell's undergraduate colleges and schools. Additionally, applicants for
admission are given the opportunity to respond to an essay question that addresses an applicant's fit and match with a
particular college, school, or program at Cornell. Understanding the distinctive qualities of each of Cornell's undergraduate
programs will help prospective candidates for undergraduate admission identify the particular college and/or school that
best meets their intellectual interests.


Application for Admission
Applicants for undergraduate admission will complete the Common Application and the Cornell Supplement to the Common
Application. Both early and regular decision applicants will select a primary college for admission and will have the option
of selecting an alternate choice college. Applicants who choose this option will be required to write essays and satisfy
admission requirements for both the primary and alternate choice college.

  · It is the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements to complete admission requirements, including any special
    requirements such as interviews and portfolios.

  · Applicants are not permitted to change the college(s) to which they have applied after they have submitted the
    application. Requests to change colleges will not be honored.

  · Applicants who wish to apply to the same program in both a primary and alternate choice college are required to
    submit admission essays for both colleges. In cases where a program is offered in more than one college, we encourage
    applicants to review the graduation requirements and programs available in each college to better understand where
    their intellectual interests will be best served.

  · Applications that include a primary and alternate choice college will be considered sequentially; first by the primary
    college and then by the alternate choice college. If an applicant is admitted by the primary college, the application will
    not be eligible for review by the alternate choice college.

  · Only exceptional candidates with a serious intellectual passion satisfied by the alternate choice college or school will
    be considered for admission by the alternate choice college. The decision to consider an application is at the
    discretion of the admission committee in the alternate choice college.

  · Applicants will receive only one decision from Cornell University. Once a decision is rendered by Cornell University,
    requests to be considered by additional colleges and schools at Cornell will not be honored.




Questions??
Additional information is available on the admission web site (admissions.cornell.edu), and in Cornell's 2007­2008
undergraduate admissions viewbook. Should you have questions, please contact the admissions office at 607.255.5241 or
send e-mail to admissions@cornell.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions
Am I required to designate a primary and alternate choice college? All applicants are required to designate a primary
college, and have the option of designating an alternate choice college. Applicants are not required to designate an alternate
choice college.

Will applying to both a primary and an alternate choice college increase my chances of being admitted to Cornell University?
Admission to Cornell University is competitive and highly selective. With more than 30,000 applicants, admission will remain
competitive regardless of whether or not an applicant applies to an alternate choice college.

Will my primary college seriously consider my application if I apply to an alternate choice college? Absolutely. We understand
that some intellectual interests can be satisfied by more than one undergraduate program at Cornell.

Will my essays for both my primary and alternate choice colleges be read by both colleges? It is possible that both colleges will
review your primary and alternate choice college essays.

Which admission requirements must I satisfy if I apply to both a primary and an alternate choice college? You must satisfy
requirements for both colleges.

If I apply to a primary and an alternate choice college, will I receive decisions from both colleges? Applicants will receive only
one decision from Cornell University. Once a decision is rendered by Cornell University, requests to be considered by
additional colleges and schools at Cornell will not be honored.

If I am admitted to my alternate choice college, will I have the opportunity to change colleges upon enrolling at Cornell?
Transferring between colleges is a possibility, but is not guaranteed. If you are admitted to your alternate choice college and
enroll at Cornell, you are making a commitment to study in that college or school.

Questions from Early-Decision Applicants
If I am denied admission during early decision, can I reapply to an alternate choice college during regular decision? No.

If I apply early decision and my decision is postponed until regular decision, will I have the opportunity to change my choice of
colleges? No. Applicants are not permitted to change the college(s) to which they have applied after they have submitted the
application. Requests to change colleges will not be honored.

If I am admitted to my alternate choice college during early decision, is it a binding commitment? Yes. The early decision
binding commitment applies to both the primary and alternate choice colleges you have designated.


Questions from Transfer Applicants
Is primary/alternate admission available for transfer applicants? A variation of primary/alternate admission is in place for
transfer applicants.


Questions about Tuition and Financial Aid
Will I need to complete two financial aid applications? No. A single application covers all colleges. You will be accepted to
only one college, and will receive only one financial aid decision based on the costs associated with that college.

How will my financial aid eligibility be determined if the tuition fees at my primary and alternate choice colleges differ? Cornell
awards aid on the basis of demonstrated need. The determination of need is based on the cost of your college (tuition, fees,
etc., and residency status) less your family contribution (income, assets, family size, number of children in college). Your family
contribution remains constant regardless of the cost of the college. If one college costs more than the other, then financial
need will increase. Cornell works to meet need with various financial-aid resources such as loans, work, and grants.




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