College of Architecture, Art and Planning

Overview

A leader in creativity, innovation, and impact, the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) at Cornell University is about acts of transformation, bringing critical inquiry, design, and imagination to build a more sustainable, just, and resilient world. AAP houses five departments across three campuses where students and faculty from around the world come together to invent, explore, and produce new knowledge around the greatest challenges of our time.

Website: aap.cornell.edu

General Information

Admission Requirements

Architecture

The Department of Architecture seeks to bring together a cohort of students that reflects a dynamic cultural environment, reflective of a diverse body of students and faculty that continuously exchange ideas and blend new perspectives. Architecture is a broad, dynamic, and continuously evolving discipline that includes research and creative practice drawing from design, history, theory, technology, fabrication, sustainability, social justice, community engagement, spatial policy, building construction, architectural practice, representation, urbanism, landscape design, and ecology, among many others. Cornell architecture faculty are characterized by their wide range of disciplinary research interests and expertise, often collaboratively working across disciplines with other researchers, community partners, clients, or policymakers. Unsurprisingly, as a whole, Cornell architecture faculty represent and cover a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, careers, degrees, areas of expertise, and geographies. Our students are equally diverse in their personal backgrounds, educational experiences, research interests, and their attitudes towards architecture.

The B.Arch. program combines the intensity and rigor of a five-year professional education with access to the resources of a renowned research university that offers a broad field of study. In our applicants, we value and are looking for one or more of the following attributes:

  • Expressive Designers: convey legible design intent through the synthesis of diverse inputs.
  • Creative Thinkers: articulate and give form to innovative ideas and concepts.
  • Spatial Changemakers: critically and passionately challenge the status quo of buildings and cities. 
  • Cultural Innovators: seek new forms of individual or collective design.
  • Rigorous Makers: proactively develop and refine thorough technical and creative abilities. 
  • Empathic Individuals: care to co-create a just and sustainable built environment. 
  • Broad Thinkers: interests span from the sciences to the humanities and beyond.  

In addition to the general requirements for applying to Cornell University, admissions requirements for the five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) program reflect the focused, professional nature of the curriculum. Applicants need to present evidence of creative ability and commitment to the field of architecture in addition to having strong academic credentials. The portfolio requirements help the faculty assess strengths in these more subjective areas. The portfolio requirements must be met for the application to be considered.

Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio is required and is a critically important component of the application. All B.Arch. applicants must submit their portfolio online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom, please email us at aap-admissions@cornell.edu. The portfolio should contain several examples of freehand drawings, including sketches as well as fully developed work. In addition to drawing, a range of artistic media needs to be demonstrated, but each applicant should emphasize the work where their skills and passion are expressed most strongly. Painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, woodworking, and other crafts can convey artistic experience and aptitude.

Please submit 15-20 slides with no more than two dedicated to the same project. Images must be clear, with no text on the page unless it is integral to the artwork. A carefully crafted caption for each slide should state the intent, elaborate on the process and method, and reflect on the outcome. Include a note that lists the size and medium of each piece, as well as whether the work was completed in class or independently. Any group projects should be credited accordingly, and the task performed by the applicant noted specifically.

Video Interview

Please provide your responses to the following questions in video format. Each answer should be no longer than one minute. The video interview should be submitted via Cornell Slideroom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom please email aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

  • How do you express your creativity?
  • Describe the design process and impact of one of your creative projects in art, design, architecture, or activism.
  • Why do you want to study architecture?

 The deadlines for portfolio submissions are:

  • November 1 (early decision first-year applicants)
  • January 2 (regular decision first-year applicants)
  • March 1 (fall transfer applicants)

Portfolios are added to the applicant's admissions file for review by the architecture department admissions committee. An application is not considered complete until all requirements have been received, including the online portfolio submitted through Cornell Slideroom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom please email aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Transfer Applicants

Please note: Cornell AAP's B.Arch. program admits a limited number of transfer applicants to the five-year professional B.Arch. program as space allows. Applicants transferring from another accredited five-year professional B.Arch. program are given priority consideration.

When available, admission to the B.Arch. program is offered to a limited number of transfer applicants who have either completed a portion of their architecture studies in other schools or have developed a strong, well-thought-out interest in architecture but have no formal education in the discipline. Each applicant's case is considered individually. Placement is determined by the faculty admissions committee based on the applicant's portfolio and the amount of architecture coursework completed.

Credit for many courses can be transferred, but applicants must complete a minimum of 70 credits and four terms in residence. Thirty-five of the 70 credits must be taken in the Cornell architecture department.

Transfer Applicants

  • External transfer application deadline: March 15
  • Portfolio deadline: March 1

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program. 

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. All questions regarding the process for transferring can be emailed to the Office of Admissions at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Students considering a transfer into the B.Arch. program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any class for which an admitted student seeks credit, as well as a portfolio of work for any studio or visual representation classes. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made.

  • Internal transfer application deadline: December 1 (spring) and May 1 (fall)

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program. 

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. All questions regarding the process for transferring can be emailed to the Office of Admissions at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Art

In addition to the university’s general requirements, B.F.A. applicants are required to submit a portfolio online via Cornell AAP SlideRoom

The Art Department at Cornell is a school for the artist scholar and scholar artist. We offer the same rigor you would find in an art school within the context of a world-class research institution. Students are expected to inform their art through one of the widest selections of fields of study. 

The visual arts evolve through the fusion and synthesis of different forms and content. Different forms stem from different cultural traditions, and the diversity of content stems from a multitude of lived experiences. The Art Department seeks to bring together a cohort of students that reflects a dynamic and diverse cultural environment. Thus, students and faculty engage and contribute together in this process of cross-pollination and fusion. Art is aesthetic, not anesthetic. Be curious, think critically, solve problems creatively, and do it all within your means.  

We value and are looking for one or more of these:

  • Form: A language informed by your culture or sub-culture
  • Content: A creative voice informed by your experiences
  • Drive: Self-initiated and pro-active
  • Rigor: You search for the form that resonates with your content / you search for the content that resonates with your form
  • Empathy: The world through your voice
  • Passion: You create because you care

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants must submit their portfolios online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom, please email us at aap-admissions@cornell.edu. The portfolio should consist of high-quality images of 10 pieces of work. The media of the work represented is optional, but it is to the advantage of the applicant to include work representing several of (but not necessarily limited to) the following media: drawing, digital media, painting, photography, print media, and sculpture/installation. Applicants should choose media that best reflect their highest conceptual and technical development level. While there is no requirement that any particular subject or style of work be included in the portfolio, the faculty admissions committee would like to see a selection of work that has been made both independently and in school and that reflects the applicant's creative interests at this point. 

Step-by-step instructions for portfolio submission are available online at Cornell AAP SlideRoom. Acceptable file formats include image files (JPG, PNG, GIF) and video files (MOV, MWV, FLV, MP4). Portfolios will be added to all other admissions materials for review by the Department of Art admissions committee.

Please take note of the following guidelines when submitting your portfolio. If you have any questions, please email aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

 In addition, submit seven works that directly respond to the Department of Art's Home Test.

  1. Create a rubbing that reveals the unseen.
  2. Visually map your centers and peripheries. Observe how one's periphery is another's center and all form part of a whole.
  3. Say something without saying it.
  4. Create a structure that is a form of support for another species.
  5. Design and create a flag that represents you. Document your flag at a site of personal significance.
  6. Create a piece that is inspired by an artwork that changed your life.
  7. Resonance

Do not use recycled works or repurposed class assignments to answer the prompts.

Cropped images will not be accepted. Please show the work in its entirety for your documentation.

Do not submit a description of your work on the uploaded work file. Please save the image description for slideroom. We recommend no more than 50 word count.

Do not submit multiple-angle shots of artwork in one image file or close-up shots.

Do not outsource your portfolio or home test to a third party. This includes AI-generated images.

The Department of Art admissions committee will not begin to consider an application until all requirements, including a portfolio, have been submitted.

Transfer Applicants

  • External transfer application deadline: March 15
  • Portfolio deadline: March 1

Students considering a transfer into the B.F.A. program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any classes for which an admitted student seeks credit, as well as a portfolio of work for any studio classes. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made. Students who transfer into the B.F.A program must complete a minimum of four semesters in residence and a minimum of 60 academic credits (30 of 60 in the Department of Art) after entering the program.

Internal Transfer

  • Internal transfer application deadline: December 1 (spring) and May 1 (fall)

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program.

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. All questions regarding the process for transferring can be emailed to the Office of Admissions at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Bachelor of Science in History of Architecture and Urban Development

Please know that B.S. HAUD is a transfer-only option and is not available to first year applicants. This means that students cannot be directly admitted into B.S. HAUD from high school. Rather, they are required to have completed at least a year of coursework at an accredited institution. Applications will not be accepted for the 2024-2025 cycle.

Students considering a transfer into the B.S. HAUD program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any classes for which an admitted student seeks credit. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. AAP will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made.

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program.

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. To find out more about the undergraduate programs within AAP, and the process for transferring, you must meet with a member of AAP's Office of Admissions.

Students may also transfer from outside of Cornell.

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Studies

In addition to the general requirements for applying to Cornell University, successful applicants to the urban and regional studies (URS) program demonstrate intellectual potential and commitment, and a combination of ability, achievement, motivation, diligence, and use of educational and social opportunities. Above all, the department seeks students with a high level of enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.

Transfer Applicants

Prospective transfer students need a minimum of 6 credits in English. In addition, students should have taken basic college-level classes distributed across the natural and social sciences, humanities, and mathematics. Applicants whose previous course work closely parallels the general education requirements of the urban and regional studies curriculum will have relative ease in transferring. In addition, students with other academic backgrounds, such as engineering, architecture, fine arts, management, and agriculture are eligible to apply.

Transfer application deadlines:

  • External transfer application deadline: March 15

Students considering a transfer into the URS program should be aware that, if admitted, a transfer credit evaluation will take place. This process requires syllabi from any course for which an admitted student seeks credit and recommends a writing sample from each course. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. Admitted transfer students will have two weeks from the date of admission to submit all transfer credit materials. We will not accept transfer credit materials before an offer of admission is made. Students who transfer into the B.S. program must complete a minimum of four semesters in residence and a minimum of 60 academic credits (30 of 60 in the Department of City and Regional Planning) after entering the program.

Internal Transfer

  • Internal transfer application deadline: December 1 (spring) and May 1 (fall)

Internal transfer is an option for current Cornell students who wish to transfer between colleges at Cornell. It is also an option for current AAP students who wish to transfer into a different AAP program.

Students interested in transferring into an AAP program must follow a college-specific internal transfer application process. All questions regarding the process for transferring can be emailed to the Office of Admissions at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.

Master of Architecture (Professional)

The Department of Architecture has the following admissions requirements for the professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program:

  • Individuals must hold a bachelor's degree in any field. Some students may have previous backgrounds in a design discipline or may hold preprofessional undergraduate degrees in a design discipline.
  • Admission may also be offered to individuals with no previous experience in design, but who exhibit talent and promise in a design-related activity or interest. Individuals who have completed a four-year bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree in a field other than architecture are eligible for admission. Preference for admission is given to individuals who have completed a balanced undergraduate education, including studies in the arts, sciences, and the humanities.
  • Once admitted into the program, applicants receive class equivalency information. Applicants will have the opportunity to submit class syllabi and other materials from previous class work for review by a faculty member charged with reviewing that area of study (history, building technology, professional practice, etc.). Faculty members then determine if equivalency is appropriate. If a student is awarded equivalency for a course, the student will be waived from the course requirement, but they will be required to complete the credits through open electives. Applicants should prepare these materials in advance so they can be submitted promptly if an offer of admission is made. We will not accept course equivalency materials before an offer of admission is made.

Application and Portfolio Requirements

The deadline for receiving application materials for the M.Arch program is January 3. This includes the portfolio, which must be submitted at the same time as the rest of the application. There is no spring semester admission. Students interested in the M.Arch program must submit an online application with supporting documentation including:

  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Transcripts from each college or university previously attended.
  • All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
    • For applicants to the M.Arch. program who must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, AAP has a preferred minimum overall score of 100 for the TOEFL iBT and an overall band score of 7 for IELTS. Section minimums set by the graduate school must also still be met.
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
    • One- or two-page printed statement outlining interests and intents for graduate study in the M.Arch program. Please relate these intents to previous design and academic experience, and to future goals.
  • A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via the CollegeNET application. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that consists of a maximum of 20 pages representing the applicant's best work, including drawings, images of two- or three-dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers, or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings were produced by the applicant, and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application (deadline January 3). Please plan your application process accordingly.
  • Resume/CV optional but strongly encouraged.
  • The GRE general test is no longer a required component of the application.

Master of Fine Arts Creative Visual Arts

The Department of Art has the following admissions requirements for the M.F.A. in Creative Visual Arts program:

  • Applicants must have a four-year bachelor's degree, but it does not have to be related to art.
  • The M.F.A. in Creative Visual Arts program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions.

Application and Portfolio Requirements

The deadline for receiving application materials to the M.F.A. in Creative Visual Arts program is January 15. This includes the portfolio, which is submitted in Slideroom. There is no spring admission. Students interested in the M.F.A. in Creative Visual Arts program must submit an online application with supporting documentation, including:

  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended.
  • All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
    • For applicants to the M.F.A. CVA program who must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, AAP has a preferred minimum overall score of 100 for the TOEFL iBT and an overall band score of 7 for IELTS. Section minimums set by the graduate school must also still be met.
  • All applicants must submit a portfolio with their application. The portfolio should consist of no more than 20 electronic files. These may include any combination of still images, videos, URLs, sound-based work, web-based work, or other work. Directions for properly preparing these materials are below, please follow these instructions exactly. Submitted portfolios that do not conform to the instructions below will not be reviewed. Portfolios are to be submitted through Cornell AAP SlideRoom.
    • Still Images: Still images must be in JPG or TIFF format with maximum dimensions of 1280 x 1024 at 72 dpi. No image may exceed 1024 pixels in height (including portrait images) or 1280 in width (including panoramic images). File sizes larger than 4 MB will neither be opened nor reviewed.
    • Videos: Video, video installation, performance, kinetic sculpture, and/or gaming/interactive work are also to be submitted through SlideRoom, which accommodates links from YouTube, Vimeo, and SoundCloud. Each video should be no longer than five minutes in length. Please note that each video is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
    • Web-based Work: Web-based work submitted for consideration must be uploaded and operative on the World Wide Web for the duration of the application process (until you are notified of acceptance or rejection). Please note that each URL is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
    • Sound-based Work: Sound-based work should be submitted in AIFF or MP3 format. Each selection should be restricted to five minutes. Please note that each sound file is to be considered as one file within the 20-file requirement.
    • Other: For any work you may wish to submit that does not fall into the above categories, please contact the AAP Office of Admissions at (607) 255-4376.
  • Interviews are not required as part of the initial application process; however, shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview either in person or via Skype. Students interested in arranging a tour of the campus should contact the Program Assistant at (607) 255-6730. For more information about visiting campus, please visit AAP's Ithaca Campus page.

Master of Fine Arts Image Text

The Department of Art has specific requirements for the M.F.A. in Image Text program:

  • Admission is open only to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with current valid U.S. immigration status. Individuals who would require immigration status and sponsorship to enter the U.S. are not eligible for this hybrid degree. Please note that no Student Status Visa(s) or student immigration documentation can be issued at this time.
  • Applicants must have a four-year bachelor's degree. We welcome applicants with backgrounds in writing, photography, film/video, digital and studio arts practices, and artists working across these forms and disciplines.
  • The M.F.A. in Image Text program does not accept transfer credits from other institutions.

Application and Portfolio Requirements

The priority review deadline for receiving application materials for this program is February 1. All materials must be received by the appropriate deadline, including the portfolio which is submitted in SlideRoom. Applications received after posted deadlines will be reviewed at the discretion of the Directors. There is no spring semester admission. Students interested in the M.F.A. in Image Text program must submit an online application with supporting documentation, including:

  • Two recommendations.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • Resume/CV.
  • All applicants must submit a portfolio with their application. The portfolio should consist of a PDF of no more than 20 pages. There are no word or image count requirements beyond the 20-page limit. Additionally, applicants may submit links to no more than 3 supplemental work samples in any media (websites, Vimeo URLs, etc.). Portfolios are to be submitted through Cornell AAP SlideRoom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom, please email us at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.
    • Statement of goals. The statement of goals should address why you are applying to M.F.A. Image Text and what you hope to learn and achieve as a graduate student in the program. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom
    • Statement of creative work. The statement of creative work is an artist statement; it is an opportunity to frame and give context to the work that you are submitting in your portfolio. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom
  • Interviews are not required as part of the initial application process; however, shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview virtually. Students interested in arranging a tour of the campus should contact the Art Department at (607) 255-6730 or through email. Learn more about visiting the campus here.
  • Substantial partial tuition scholarships are available on a competitive basis.

Master of Regional Planning

The Graduate School at Cornell is organized into fields of study; applicants interested in the Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P) should apply to the field of City and Regional Planning. Applicants interested in real estate should reach out to the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate or find more information on the M.R.P./M.P.S. RE dual degree.

In addition to the requirements outlined at the Graduate School, the Department of City and Regional Planning has the following specific requirements: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized educational institution. A variety of undergraduate backgrounds have proven to be good preparation for studying planning and making a successful career.

Deadlines

Fall, January 10; there is no spring semester admission.

Master of Science Advanced Architecture Design (Post-Professional)

The Department of Architecture has specific requirements for the admissions process for the Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design program:

  • Students holding a professional bachelor of architecture degree (B.Arch.) or a professional master of architecture degree (M.Arch.) may be admitted as candidates for the post-professional M.S. AAD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.
  • The M.S. AAD program has a summer start term; there is no fall or spring semester admission.
  • Applicants still enrolled in a B.Arch. or M.Arch. at the time of application must have a conferral date no later than May 31 in order to be eligible for admission.

Application and Portfolio Requirements:

The deadline for receiving application materials for the M.S. AAD program is January 3. This includes the portfolio, which must be submitted at the same time as the rest of the application. Students interested in the M.S. AAD program must submit an online application with supporting documentation, including:

  • Two letters of recommendation. 
  • Transcripts from each college or university previously attended. 
  • All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
    • For applicants to the M.S. AAD program who must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, AAP has a preferred minimum overall score of 100 for the TOEFL iBT and an overall band score of 7 for IELTS. Section minimums set by the graduate school must also still be met.
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
    • A one- or two-page academic statement of purpose or statement of research intents for graduate study in the M.S. AAD program. This statement should describe a critical topic you wish to investigate at Cornell, including any past work in this area. 
  • A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via the CollegeNET application. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that should represent the applicant's best work and consist mainly of reproductions of 20 to 30 pieces of creative drawings, two-or-three dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any portfolio project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings or details of drawings were produced by the applicant and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application is submitted (deadline January 3). Please plan your application process accordingly.
  • Resume/CV optional but strongly encouraged. 
  • The GRE general test is not a required component of the application but is optional. 
  • The application process for the M.S. AAD should be used by students applying to the three-semester (one-year) post-professional program. Students interested in applying to the four-semester option should contact arch-grad-info@cornell.edu for more information and instructions.

Master of Science Advanced Urban Design (Post-Professional)

The Department of Architecture has specific requirements for the admissions process for the M.S. AUD program:

  • Students holding a professional bachelor of architecture degree (B.Arch.) or a professional master of architecture degree (M.Arch.), or a professional degree from a closely related field may be admitted as candidates for the post-professional M.S. AUD program. International students must submit an official certification that the degree held is a professional degree entitling them to practice architecture in their country.

The deadline for receiving application materials for the M.S. AUD program is January 3. This includes the portfolio, which must be submitted at the same time as the rest of the application. There is no spring semester admission. Students interested in the M.S. AUD program must submit an online application with supporting documentation, including:

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts from each college or university previously attended
  • All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement
    • For applicants to the M.S. AUD program who must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, AAP has a preferred minimum overall score of 100 for the TOEFL iBT and an overall band score of 7 for IELTS. Section minimums set by the graduate school must also still be met.
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
    • A one- or two-page academic statement of purpose or statement of research intents for graduate study in the M.S. AUD program. This statement should describe a critical topic you wish to investigate at Cornell, including any past work in this area.
  • A portfolio of creative work must be submitted online via Slideroom. Portfolios must be no larger than 20 MB or they will not successfully upload. All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that should represent the applicant’s best work and consist mainly of reproductions of 20 to 30 pieces of creative drawings, two-or-three dimensional work, and models. The entire portfolio must be uploaded as one PDF file, using a landscape (horizontal) format for each page, to ensure that the width of the screen is maximally used to view each portfolio page (approximately a 4:3 ratio). If any portfolio project, drawing, or model has been produced by several designers or if the design was produced in a professional setting, each drawing must be labeled, clearly stating the number of designers, which drawings or details of drawings were produced by the applicant and a list of the names of all members of the group project. If the project was produced in an office, an office setting, or as an assistant to an author, the office name, supervisor, and all members of the team must be identified. Please note: The portfolio must be uploaded at the same time as the application is submitted (deadline January 15). Please plan your application process accordingly.
  • Resume/CV optional, but strongly encouraged.
  • The GRE general test is not a required component of the application but is optional.

Note on Professional Accreditation - Architecture

In the United States, most state registration boards require a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), which is the sole agency authorized to accredit U.S. professional degree programs in architecture, recognizes three types of degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture, the Master of Architecture, and the Doctor of Architecture. A program may be granted an eight-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on the extent of its conformance with established educational standards.

Doctor of Architecture and Master of Architecture degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree that, when earned sequentially, constitute an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.
The Department of Architecture at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning offers two NAAB-accredited degrees: the Bachelor of Architecture (154 undergraduate credits) and the Master of Architecture (pre-professional degree + 113 graduate credits).

Next accreditation visit for the B.Arch.: 2033
Next accreditation visit for the M.Arch.: 2029

Expected Supply Fees 

Architecture: Architecture students should allow a minimum of $1,100 up to $3,000 for expendable supplies each academic year, depending on academic level, courses selected, and projects chosen.

Art: Art students should expect to spend a minimum of $1,000 and up to $3,000 for expendable supplies each academic year, depending on academic level, courses selected, and projects chosen.

Career Development

Undergraduate and graduate students are provided extensive resources for career advising including job search, networking, resume, cover letter, portfolio review, interview prep, professional communication skills as well as coaching. We offer career programming such as panel discussions, career fairs, recruiting events with employers and networking opportunities with alumni. AAP students are encouraged to utilize 1:1 advising with our trained Career Advising staff to support them in achieving their career goals. Additionally, our staff provides support with internships, jobs, and research opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Facilities

Comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding college facilities can be found online at https://aap.cornell.edu/top-resources.

Departments

Special Academic Opportunities

Cornell in Rome

Semester Study in Rome, Italy

Cornell in Rome classes can be applied to Cornell graduation requirements and participation in the program does not necessarily require extra semesters of study or delay graduation. Interested AAP students should speak with the College Registrar to determine how classes will be applied toward degree requirements.

Cornell in Rome provides housing to all students, and it is mandatory for students to live in the provided housing. Students must register their Cornell in Rome semester with the Cornell Travel Registry and sign up for emergency international health care coverage through Cornell.

Study at Cornell in Rome is open to: Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) students in the Fall semester, Undergraduate Urban and Regional Studies (B.S. URS) and Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P.) students, and Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) students in either semester. 

Cornell in Rome is only open to AAP students.

The Gensler Family AAP NYC Center

Semester or Year Study in New York City

Program Details

AAP NYC classes can be applied to Cornell graduation requirements and participation in the program does not necessarily require extra semesters of study or delay graduation. Interested AAP students should speak with the College Registrar to determine how classes will be applied toward degree requirements.

AAP NYC does not provide housing for students. All students are responsible for finding their own housing during their semester(s) in the program.

AAP NYC is only open to AAP students and M.L.A. students from CALS. Some course offerings may be available to Cornell Tech students.

Architecture Students

A semester at AAP NYC is optional for Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) and professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) students. M.Arch. students may apply to study for a full year in NYC at department discretion. All post-professional Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design (M.S. AAD) students begin their degree in the Summer term at AAP NYC. Additionally, the post-professional Master of Science in Advanced Urban Design (M.S. AUD) is delivered entirely at AAP NYC.

City and Regional Planning Students

A Fall semester at AAP NYC is optional for undergraduate Urban and Regional Studies (B.S. URS) and Master of Regional Planning (M.R.P.) students. Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) may participate in the urban studies program at AAP NYC with approval from their college.

Applying to Cornell in Rome and AAP NYC

Application Guidelines

Application timelines may vary from year to year, but estimates are given below. For exact dates, students should refer to the Experience Cornell website for the program in which they are interested.

Applications for both Cornell in Rome and AAP NYC open in late September and are due in early October, for both Fall and Spring of the following academic year. AAP NYC application cycle for B.S. URS, M.R.P., and M.L.A. applicants is an exception: this application opens in late January and is due in early February.

Students whose applications are due in October will receive their application decisions the first week in December. Students whose applications are due in February will receive their application decisions the first week in March.

Applications must be submitted through the Experience Cornell site. 

Application criteria may vary between departments and degree programs. All AAP students must submit an academic plan to be reviewed by the AAP Registrar Office to ensure that a semester in Cornell in Rome or AAP NYC will not interfere with degree progress or ability to graduate on time. M.L.A. students must obtain approval from CALS to participate in AAP NYC.

To be eligible for acceptance to an optional semester at Cornell in Rome or AAP NYC, students must be in good academic standing. Departments may establish additional criteria at their discretion.

Students who are waitlisted will be notified if space becomes available in the program and semester to which they applied. The last possible time to join the Fall semester is the first week in March. The last possible time to join the Spring semester is the third week in August. After the cutoff points, waitlisted students will have their applications withdrawn and will be notified of such.

There will be a late application window in late January for both Fall and Spring of the following academic year for both locations. Late applicants will be notified of their application decisions in early March. Applications from the initial application cycle will be given priority; late applications will be considered only if space remains. No late applications will be considered outside of this window.

Academic Conditions

In their application decision letters, applicants will be notified of whether or not they are in good academic standing at the time of application, regardless of whether the application is accepted, waitlisted, or denied.

If an applicant is not in good academic standing at the time of academic plan review, they may still be considered for acceptance if it is determined that their academic plan will put them back in good academic standing before their semester in Rome or NYC.

Each department may determine their own GPA minimum, including whether this GPA must be maintained between the time of application and the semester in Rome or NYC. Because participation in Cornell in Rome and/or AAP NYC is mandatory for Architecture applicants, there is not a minimum GPA except that which is required for good academic standing (2.3).

Eligibility to attend Rome or NYC is contingent on being in good academic standing. Students who come up for academic review will have this noted in their Academic Review Committee (ARC) letters when applicable.

If a student comes up for academic review in the semester directly preceding their semester in Rome or NYC, ARC will determine if the student will be allowed to enroll in the special semester as planned.

Withdrawing Applications

Students wishing to withdraw from optional semesters in Rome or NYC should contact the Advisor listed on the Experience Cornell site for the program to which they applied. It is not necessary to petition or to provide a reason for withdrawing from an optional semester.