There are no exceptions to the following requirements:
- To attend any Precollege Studies program, you must have completed your sophomore year of high school (grade 10 or the international equivalent) when you start your class.
- To attend the online summer or winter program, you must be between 15 and 19 years of age when you start your class.
- To attend the on-campus summer commuter program, you must be between 16 and 19 years of age when you start your class. You must also live near campus or plan to stay in the Ithaca area with your parent/guardian during your course (on-campus housing is not available to commuter students).
- To attend the residential summer program, you must be between 16 and 18 years of age when you start your class.
- If you will have graduated from high school (or the international equivalent) you must be under the age of 18 by the time your Cornell course starts.
- You must have the demonstrated academic ability, maturity, and intellectual curiosity necessary to undertake college-level work.
- You must meet all stated course prerequisites. Before applying, review tips for selecting courses and check your course for any specific eligibility requirements.
Additional summer program requirements
- You may not be an admitted Cornell undergraduate entering the university this Fall.
Eligibility FAQs
Can high school freshmen or sophomores attend?
Students must have completed their sophomore year before attending Precollege Studies.
What if I’ve graduated from high school?
- If you will have graduated from high school (or the international equivalent) but you will not have turned 18 by the time your Cornell course starts, you are eligible to attend Precollege Studies.
- If you will have graduated from high school (or the international equivalent) and you will be 18 by the time your Cornell course starts, you will register through our Cornell SCE website as a visiting student.
I’ve been admitted to Cornell as an undergraduate. Can I apply to Precollege?
As an incoming Cornell undergraduate, you are not eligible for Precollege Studies. However, you may take classes by registering through the Cornell SCE website as a visiting student.
I’m an international student. Do you require my test scores?
All Cornell students, including precollege students, must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their engagement in university studies. This is a requirement for enrollment at Cornell. Visit English Language Proficiency requirements to learn about minimum scores and related information.
Do you require interviews or a specific GPA?
Precollege does not interview prospective students. Instead, we get to know you through your application materials.
We also do not require that you earn a specific GPA. We have found, however, that students who maintain an average of B+ and above in all high school classes generally are well-prepared for success in college courses. We look at your entire application when making the admissions decision.