Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to more than one master's program at Cornell Tech?
You may only apply to one master’s program at Cornell Tech per admissions cycle. Any additional applications that you submit will not be considered. In addition to applying to Cornell Tech, you may apply to master’s programs on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca (Note: the Ithaca campus uses a separate application system and you will need to apply for their programs using their application system)
What is the application timeline?
The application timeline varies by program. JCTMBA applicants should expect to hear from us within 6 weeks after the round deadline. Master of Engineering, Master of Laws and Jacobs Dual MS Degrees applicants should expect to hear back from us within 8 weeks after the round deadline. To take full advantage of available scholarships, we encourage you to submit your application by the Priority Deadline Date for your program.
To view the deadlines, please visit the application page for your program of interest.
What is the admit rate and advantage of applying during the priority deadline or round 2?
We do not publish admit rates for any of our master’s programs as this figure changes from year to year and is not indicative of an individual’s competitiveness for our programs. To take full advantage of available scholarships, we encourage you to submit your application by the Priority Deadline Date for your program.
Does Cornell Tech offer Spring admission?
No, Cornell Tech does not offer Spring admission for any of its master’s programs. The JCTMBA program starts each Summer (early June) and our other master’s programs begin each Fall (mid-to-late August). No other start dates are available.
Does Cornell Tech offer scholarships and are international students eligible?
Cornell Tech offers scholarship aid to a limited number of full-time master’s degree students each year. Part-time students are not eligible for scholarships.
All scholarships at Cornell Tech are merit-based and determined by a review of all the applicant’s credentials at the time of their admission. All admitted students who are not fully sponsored are considered – no additional application is needed. You can indicate that you wish to be considered for scholarships within the Funding section of the application. To take full advantage of available scholarships, we encourage you to submit your application by the Priority Deadline Date for your program. We encourage all students to pursue outside funding sources to supplement any available institutional aid. We recommend you begin this process early to ensure you adhere to their respective application deadlines. Below is a list of potential outside sources of aid:
What are the minimum GRE, GPA, and/or TOEFL scores required for admission?
There are no minimum GPA requirements to apply for admission consideration.
For JCTMBA applicants, there are no minimum GRE scores. The GMAT/GRE are optional and may be submitted for admission to the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program. The waiver can be found within the Request a Test Waiver section of the application. Here you can request the test waiver and submit any documents you would like to present. The admissions committee will review the request and send a notification within 2-3 business days.
The GRE is not required and will not be accepted as part of your application to the Master of Engineering , Jacobs Technion-Cornell Dual Master Degrees, or Master of Laws programs at Cornell Tech.
We do require a minimum TOEFL score of 100 or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0. Applicant scores and grades will be evaluated in the context of other applicants.
For TOEFL scores, if you took a test beginning Janaury 2026, please include a copy of your Test Taker Score Report as this includes your score on both scales.
Note: Cornell Tech does not accept superscores for the English Language Proficiency Requirement test scores.
Please note that the admissions committee reviews applications from a holistic perspective. Applicants can offset lower test scores with captivating personal statements, strong letters of recommendation, and professional and research experience.
For more information regarding the standardized test requirements, please visit the appropriate admissions application webpages.
Does your program accept at home (online) GRE/GMAT/TOEFL tests scores?
The GRE general test is not required and will not be accepted as part of your application to the Master of Engineering and Jacobs Technion-Cornell Dual Master Degrees programs. The GMAT/GRE are optional and may be submitted for admission to the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program.
For applicants required to take the TOEFL/IELTS exam we will accept the home/online versions of the assessment. For more information, please visit the ETS website for the GRE and TOEFL tests and the GMAT website for online options.
Does Cornell Tech accept superscores for the English Language Proficiency Requirement?
No, Cornell Tech does not accept MyBestScores from TOEFL or One Skill Retake from IELTS.
Can I waive the GRE/GMAT test based on professional experience or an advanced degree?
The GRE general test is not required and will not be accepted as part of your application to the Master of Engineering and Jacobs Technion-Cornell Dual Master Degrees programs.
The GMAT/GRE are optional and may be submitted for admission to the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA program. The waiver can be found within the Request a Test Waiver section of the application. Here you can request the test waiver and submit any documents you would like to present. The admissions committee will review the request and send a notification within 2-3 business days.
My test scores won't be available until after the application deadline. Can I still apply?
You should plan to take any required tests well in advance of the application deadline. We recommend that you submit your application by the deadline date and your scores as soon as possible. You must upload the scores yourself during the application process, even if you arrange for them to be sent to Cornell Tech.
Where can I see the curriculum?
To view the program of study, please review the course catalog or curriculum sheets.
How do I qualify for an application fee waiver?
Cornell Tech is pleased to offer application fee waivers to qualified participants of programs designed to provide educational and/or career support to students from historically underrepresented identities. Please visit the application page for your program of interest to see if your program is eligible by scrolling to the bottom of the page to see which eligible programs. You will need to email admissions to request the waiver if your program is eligible.
You can also qualify for an application fee waiver if you attend an information session, campus tour, or class visit. To sign up, please visit our Events page. After the event, you will receive an email with instructions for obtaining an application fee waiver.
Can I work while attending Cornell Tech?
The accelerated, sequential nature of our curriculum makes it challenging to balance work with program obligations. We generally discourage full-time students from working during the academic year.
Are the programs at Cornell Tech STEM-designated?
Yes, all Cornell Tech master’s programs are STEM-designated, except for the Master of Laws (LLM).
Are Cornell Tech's programs eligible for CPT or OPT?
All programs at Cornell Tech, with the exception of the LLM program, are STEM-Designated and eligible for OPT.
CPT is only available to F-1 students while they’re pursuing their degree. Since most programs are one year in length, CPT would not be the appropriate work authorization. Rather, you would need to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is an extension of F-1 status that authorizes students who have completed their degree program to work in their degree field in the US for up to 3 years after graduation.
To learn more, please visit the Office of Global Learning website.
What are the requirements for international students?
Course-by-course evaluation: Depending on where your degree was completed, you may be required to have your transcripts undergo a course-by-course evaluation by an expert academic credential evaluator in the United States. to be considered for admission. This is applicable to all applicants who completed a degree outside the United States or Canada. The only exception is for students who attended an institution that has a joint venture with a U.S. institution. Students are responsible for paying all fees for such evaluations and making arrangements with the credential evaluation company to send and receive their documents.
Cornell Tech will accept evaluations from:
Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
International Educations Evaluation (IEE)
Scholaro
SpanTran
World Education Services (WES) Select: Cornell University – Manhattan NY
Or any NACES organization member.
Evaluations may be sent electronically (preferred) or via postal mail. You may also upload a copy through your Status Portal.
English Language Proficiency Requirement: Please visit the admissions page for your program of interest to learn more about TOEFL/IELTS requirements and waivers within the Language Test Scores section of the Required Materials section. Note, if you do not meet the waiver criteria, you will need to submit language test scores with your application to be considered for admission.
When should international students apply by?
International students are encouraged to apply no later than Round 2 to allow sufficient time for visa processing. Please visit the admissions page for your program of interest to view the application deadlines. Full-time LLM applicants are encouraged to apply no later than Round 3.
English was the medium of instruction at the university I attended. Am I exempt from taking the TOEFL test?
With few exceptions, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language via a valid TOEFL or IELTS score. For more information and details about exemptions and reporting your English proficiency test score, read Cornell’s English Language Proficiency Requirement.
More details can be found within the application page for your program of interest.
Does Cornell Tech offer any part-time or online options?
Cornell Tech offers part-time options for the Master of Engineering in Computer Science program and for the Master of Laws (LLM) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program. All other programs are only offered as full-time programs.
All of our programs are offered exclusively on-campus. No online or remote learning options are available at Cornell Tech.
I hold a 3-year degree from an institution outside of the USA or Canada - am I eligible to apply to Cornell Tech?
Students who have graduated from an institution outside of the USA and Canada will need to submit a Course-by-Course evaluation which will confirm your degree equivalency. In most cases, 3-year degrees are equivalent to a USA bachelor’s degree. You can verify your degree by using our degree university directory – or checking with WES Equivalency Tool.
What type of career support services does Cornell Tech provide?
Career Management at Cornell Tech is focused on maximizing the career potential of our graduates, regardless of their path. We work with students one-on-one to develop a career plan not just post-graduation, but also for their long term career trajectory. For a complete list of services, visit our Career Management page.
Is work experience required?
The JCTMBA program at Cornell Tech requires 2-3 years of post-graduate work experience.
While many of our Master of Engineering and Dual MS Degrees students do have internship and full-time work experience, it is not a requirement for admission.
Are master’s students eligible for assistantships or TA positions?
While there are opportunities to engage in research, note that students enrolled in Cornell Tech master’s programs are not eligible for research assistantships that support tuition, health insurance, and provide a stipend.
There are several opportunities to engage in research for students on campus including specialization projects for Jacobs Dual M.S. students, independent studies, or, in rare/limited occasions, research positions for hourly wage. Once enrolled, students who are interested in research opportunities should first review the research interests of Cornell Tech faculty and reach out to those whom they would want to work with based on interest; our faculty are not likely to respond to students who are not yet in the program. The Student and Academic Affairs team can provide more information about independent studies to matriculated students.
What makes a competitive applicant to Cornell Tech's master's programs?
Can I sit in on a class?
Yes, prospective students can sign up for a class visit by visiting our Events page. Please note that class visits are only for prospective students. Class visits are only scheduled while classes are in session.
How do I schedule a campus tour?
Cornell Tech will host tours throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. To view the schedule, please visit our Events page.
Is on-campus housing available?
Students attending Cornell Tech full-time will have the opportunity to apply for our on-campus housing facility – The House, once enrolled. For more information on housing options, rates, and FAQs, please visit the The House website.
Part-time students are not eligible for on-campus housing.
Can’t find the answer to your question? Contact admissions@tech.cornell.edu and a member of our team will be able to assist you.