Each application is considered in its entirety and in comparison with other applications of the same admissions cycle. To be eligible for admission review, applicants must provide a complete application package as outlined below.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2026:

  • Application Open: September 1
  • Priority deadline: October 15
  • Round 2 deadline: November 15

We encourage you to apply by October 15 for scholarship consideration.

Fall 2026:

  • Application Open: September 15
  • Priority deadline: December 15
  • Round 2 deadline: January 15

We encourage you to apply by December 15 for scholarship consideration.

No separate scholarship application is required; all applications are reviewed for available funding until it is exhausted. We also recommend exploring external scholarship and funding options. See tuition and fees for more information.

MILR Tuition and Fees

Application Requirements

Transcripts

Upon submission of your application, you must upload unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities you've attended. You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent international degree. (See Cornell's list of International Degree Equivalencies.) 

There is no specific minimum grade point average used as a cut-off, although undergraduate coursework and grades are a factor in the admission decisions. 

Please note that admitted applicants who accept their offer will be required to submit official electronic transcripts to the Graduate School Admissions Office.

Recommendations

Two letters of recommendation are required. Academic or professional recommendations are accepted. 

Letters of recommendation need to be submitted via the applicant's online application.

Interview

After submitting an application for the MILR program, you will be invited to record an online video interview. For your convenience, our interview questions have been pre-recorded so that you can complete your responses at any time. The video interview is part of a holistic assessment that will be considered alongside your completed application. 

Detailed information about the video interviews will be provided via email after you submit your application.

Resume

All applicants are required to submit a resume with their application.

Academic Statement of Purpose

The academic statement of purpose is one of your primary opportunities to help the admissions committee understand your academic objectives and determine if you are a good match for the program.

Personal Statement

The personal statement allows you to provide the admissions committee with a sense of who you are as a whole person, and you should use it to describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. 

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

Visit the Graduate School Admissions site for more information regarding the English language proficiency requirement, including standing exemptions.

GRE/GMAT

The GRE/GMAT is not reviewed for admission to the MILR program.