Computer Science

The department accepts applications for the Fall semester only. The deadline for the Fall 2026 semester is December 15th. Applying early is strongly advised. Because the TOEFL or IELTS is required for international students, you may submit your application before taking those exam(s). Nonetheless we strongly advise that you ensure that your application will be complete by December 15th. Delays in receiving your scores will delay the review of your application.

Your application should include completed and scanned transcripts of all previous college and university work, including any work done at Cornell. If you are submitting unofficial transcripts, the Graduate School will require that you submit official transcripts should you be accepted into the program. In this case, please make sure your transcript has your name, birthdate, and the name of the attended university. We do not accept paper copies of transcripts.

Applicants should scan their transcripts and upload the documents into the online application system themselves as part of the submission process. For students who are subsequently admitted and accept the offer of admission, an official paper transcript will be required prior to matriculation. Students will be reminded of this requirement on the “response to offer of admission” form.

How to Scan Transcripts

Please review the Graduate School Admissions Office Recommendations here.

International Credentials
All transcripts or academic records must be official documents provided in the original language. If that language is not English, they must be accompanied by certified translations into English. If not issued by the college or university as original documents, they should be notarized, full-sized photocopies. They should include grades received in each subject each year, and the number of weeks and hours per week that each subject was studied. Courses must be described in detail. The general subject name (e.g., “mathematics”) is not sufficient. The particular subject (e.g., “differential equations,” “algebraic topology”) must be identified.

If you are admitted into the program and you accept our offer of admission, the Graduate School will require an official transcript. They will contact you directly about this requirement.

Grade Point Averages
If your school uses a GPA scale other than 0–4.0, just leave this field blank when submitting your application. If you feel you must, you may enter 0. We will review your transcript and will rate your performance on the grades you received, not the number you enter into this field.
 

Your application must include two letters of recommendation. The letters should be from professors or supervisors who are familiar with your academic or professional work and who can testify to your potential in computer science. Once you have entered your recommenders information into your online application, a notification will be sent to your recommenders within 48 hours. These letters are a very important part of your application, and you should ensure that they are submitted into the electronic application system by the appropriate deadline. We will not accept paper copies of letters of recommendation.

You should think carefully when writing your Statement of Purpose. Express your plans and interests in computer science in a concise and clear manner. It may be helpful to include a list of some of the principal reasons why you consider yourself a strong applicant to our program. Please note what area(s) of research you are excited about, and any specific faculty you might be interested in working with during your graduate studies at Cornell.  

The personal statement will ask you to describe within 1,000 words how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, you’ll be asked to provide insights into your potential to contribute to Cornell University’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.

A writing sample is not required but may be submitted if you feel this will enhance your application. 

Diversity Recruitment Fellowships are available on a competitive basis to nominated domestic doctoral students from all backgrounds applying for fall admission who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, Indigenous peoples of Canada eligible to register as domestic students under the Jay Treaty, or students holding DACA, TPS, refugee, or asylee status who have demonstrated commitment and potential to significantly contribute to Cornell’s core value to provide a Community of Belonging.

If you are interested in being nominated for a Diversity Fellowship, please visit Graduate School Fellowships in Support of Diversity.

The Computer Science Student-Applicant Support Program aims to broaden access to graduate education by assisting all students interested in applying to computer science PhD programs at Cornell and beyond. The program provides publicly available guidance, resources, and mentorship opportunities to support applicants who may lack institutional advising, while remaining equally accessible to all individuals across the nation. The program is open to everyone, and all outreach and engagement will be inclusive and broadly accessible.

If accepted into the program, you will be paired with a graduate student volunteer who will:
Have a 20-minute Zoom conversation with you to discuss the application process, share their experience, and answer any initial questions you may have.
Following this, we will provide a new Google form where you can upload your application materials. You will then receive one round of detailed feedback on your resume and statement of purpose (capacity permitting).
Please Note: Participation in the Student-Applicant Support Program does not guarantee admission and our capacity for applications is limited as previously mentioned.

If you would like to be considered for the Student-Applicant Support Program, please take note of the following deadlines:
Please fill out this form (link) by 11:59pm EST, October 24, 2025. 
Your application material needs to be submitted by 11:59pm EST, Nov 7, 2025.  
Note: Information will be aggregated and anonymized to evaluate the impact of this program, but individual responses will be deleted at the end of this application cycle. All demographics questions are optional.
 

International applicants must demonstrate competency in the English language. Cornell will accept either the TOEFL or IELTS.  Please visit the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirement page for details.