Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Architecture, Art and Planning
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Human Ecology

Class Year Eligibility:

  • Third Year (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students

GPA Requirements:

Minimum GPA: 3.80

Cornell endorsement is required.

U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals in the junior class with a record of financial need. 

Students who intend to pursue graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences, and who must have a record of receiving need-based financial aid to support their undergraduate study. Students without such a record are not eligible.

Applicants first submit their materials to a campus committee for review in February. Upon review of application material, Cornell may choose one student as a nominee to the national Beinecke Scholarship competition. Students’ applications must be processed and endorsed through the CCS fellowships office to be eligible for the competition at the regional and/or national level. Endorsement decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Selection decisions (both on-campus and at the national level) are based on the following criteria:

  • Academic record: Nominees should have a GPA of 3.8 or above.
  • Commitment to the study of one's field: Preference will be given to those for whom the awarding of the scholarship would significantly enhance the likelihood of the student attending graduate school.
  • Commitment to one's community: Students planning to attend professional school should illustrate a significant commitment to serving the community upon completion of their graduate studies.
  • Three letters of recommendation: These should be from faculty who can speak to your academic promise.