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Admissions
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine

Admissions Decisions

Review Process

The Admissions Committee applies a holistic, need-blind review process which considers a student’s strength of coursework, academic and extracurricular interests, talents and background. We avoid inflexible criteria whenever we can and do not set lower limits for grade point averages. However, all admitted students must succeed academically. The Admissions Committee considers each applicant's academic abilities as an early first step in the review process based on the cumulative GPA and Prerequisite.

Applicants are typically notified of the decisions after mid-January. Applicants receive an email directing them to their Cornell Tracking page, where the decision letter is available electronically.

Key Information

Admitted Students

  • You will receive a Conditions form that indicates:
    • any lacking prerequisite courses
    • tuition for the current year
    • information on how to apply for financial aid
    • other lacking documents and deadlines
  • You must inform Cornell by April 15 of your decision. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will be required if accepting our offer of admission and will be placed on the student's first bursar bill against tuition charges. Note: if April 15 falls on a weekend date then the deadline date is the following Monday.
  • You should attend one of the information sessions held during February and March. Sessions provide invaluable information from faculty and students, and an opportunity to see the college in detail.

Alternate Offers (Waitlist)

  • You will receive a Conditions form that indicates:
    • any lacking prerequisite courses
    • tuition for the current year
    • information on how to apply for financial aid
    • other lacking documents and deadlines
  • You are typically notified one week after the April deposit deadline.
  • If interested in financial aid, you should complete all the financial aid forms by February 1.

Denied Applicants

  • Cornell's application process is extremely competitive. Many students apply numerous times before gaining an offer of admission.
  • If you are denied, the letter you will receive will contains instructions to set up a post-application advising appointment (if you choose to do so) and discuss ways to strengthen your application.

Deferral Requests

We consider deferral requests on a case-by-case basis for unexpected events or extraordinary reasons. 

Deferral requests that may be considered

  • Military or public service
  • Substantial research opportunity
  • Fulbright Program or other scholarly opportunity
  • Unique travel or work opportunity
  • Illness substantiated by a doctor’s written confirmation
  • Family member illness substantiated by a doctor’s written confirmation
  • Family emergency
  • Cultural enrichment opportunity

Deferral requests will not be considered for the following reasons

  • Financial reasons (e.g. students asking to work for a year)
  • Completion of lacking prerequisite courses
  • Deferral plans that are not well thought out or clearly written

How to request a deferral

  • Pay the enrollment deposit by the deadline to make a deferral request (only students who are in the class can make a deferral request)
  • Provide a detailed, signed letter to the Admissions Committee and emailed to the director of admissions indicating the reasons for a deferral
  • If a student is granted a one-year deferral, they give up their seat in the class they were originally admitted and their seat will be given to an alternate candidate
  • Tuition will not be held at the rate of the original offer and the student must apply for financial aid each year with the understanding the financial aid package could change
  • The student will be notified by email if their request has been accepted or declined

During the deferral year

  • During the deferral year, another deposit of $500 will be required by the end of the month of January. The initial deposit of $500 as well as this deposit of $500 will be applied to the student’s bursar account toward tuition, and is non-refundable should the student decide not to attend
  • Residency is based on the initial offer
  • Documentation of all outstanding prerequisite courses will be required prior to the start of the deferral year. Outstanding prerequisites cannot be completed during the deferral year   
  • We will need updated transcripts for any outstanding academic work by June 15 of the year entering the DVM program  
  • Students must keep their admissions information updated, including any changes to their application such as enrollment at another school, felony or disciplinary issues at another school, etc. Updates must be made to the director of admissions immediately
  • Students are welcome to attend an information session during the deferral year. Although the student may have already experienced an information session, it would be a good review and update, as well as an opportunity to meet future classmates  
  • Contact information should be kept up to date with the DVM Admissions Office (email, address, phone number) in the event we need to contact you