English Language Proficiency Requirement

English Language Proficiency Requirement

All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. International students demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Cornell does not currently accept IELTS or PTE scores as an alternative to the TOEFL. For applicants in regions where the TOEFL iBT is not available, Cornell will continue to accept scores for the paper-based test (PBT). Although individual graduate fields may require higher scores, Cornell’s official minimum sub-scores for each element of the TOEFL are:

IBT Version:

Writing: 20
Listening: 15
Reading: 20
Speaking: 22
  •  The TOEFL score must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by Cornell. Photocopies of TOEFL score reports will not be accepted.
  •  If you receive your test results and any sub-score does not meet the requirement, you should make arrangements to retake the test.
  •  Please request TOEFL scores to be sent to: Cornell University Graduate School, Code # 2098.
  •  Students should submit all required tests well in advance of the application. Please note that we cannot confirm receipt of test scores until the student has submitted an online application.
  •  Please take the TOEFL early enough to have the results submitted at the time of your application.  TOEFL exam dates are posted at the TOEFL web site.
  • An application cannot be considered complete until Cornell receives official scores from ETS.   An offer of admissions cannot be made nor can a visa document be issued if an application is incomplete.  If your TOEFL score does not meet the requirement, we cannot issue the document, and you will not be able to enter the country.

Exceptions

The TOEFL requirement may be waived if the applicant meets at least one of these criteria:

  •  is a native citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (except Quebec). Applicants who are citizens of India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, or Singapore, are not exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
  • studied in full-time status for at least two academic years within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or with English language instruction in Canada or South Africa.  You must submit a transcript that shows you have attended college in one of these approved locations.

If you have questions about your English language proficiency, contact the graduate field to which you are applying. (Find the contact information for your field of interest.)  Administrators in your proposed field will guide you through the application process and will communicate with other offices at Cornell as needed to gather additional information.  If you still have questions after talking to your graduate field, you can email your graduate school student services representative (Find your student service representative).