Requirements

College/School Eligibility:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Arts and Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Human Ecology

Class Year Eligibility:

  • Second Year (undergrad)
  • Third Year (undergrad)

Open to:

  • Cornell Undergraduate Students

GPA Requirements:

Minimum GPA: 3.85

Sophomores and juniors who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens with stated intent to obtain U.S. citizenship. Students' ultimate educational goal should be the Ph.D.; the competition is not appropriate for students intending to go to medical school.

Applicants first submit their materials to a campus committee for review in late December. Cornell may nominate four students to the national competition. The campus committee and the Fellowship Coordinator offer the four nominees advice on how to improve their materials for final submission. Nominees submit the final version of their applicants in late January.

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

  • Academic record: A high GPA (above 3.85), evidence of "intellectual intensity" as shown by early participation in graduate courses, and research outside the classroom make a strong record. Presentations on campus or at conferences indicate the potential to make a contribution to the field.
  • Commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering: Internships, research, and related employment strengthen a student's application. Students should also have shown involvement in math/science/engineering student or professional organizations.
  • Three letters of recommendation: Evaluations must be from faculty members or research supervisors who can discuss your potential for a career in math/science/engineering. A letter from an employer who has supervised your research is welcome. At least one letter must be from faculty in your field of study. NOTE: Letters of Recommendation should be no more than tow pages, have one-inch margins on all sides, be single spaced, use 12 point font and be printed on letterhead.