Apply for Fall/Spring Online Courses

Precollege admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, which means that we will review and act on complete applications and registration requests as they are received. Because this application process requires a number of steps (outlined below) and many of our courses fill before the deadline, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Review application deadlines

Please contact the Cornell University Precollege Studies associate director, Janna Dawn (jlb34@cornell.edu), if you have any questions.

Eligibility

Before applying, be sure you meet the eligibility requirements for fall/spring courses.

1. Select your course

Review the instructions for selecting courses.

If you haven’t done so already, find your course and note your course number and title, which you will need to complete Step 2.

Also, be sure you meet any prerequisites listed for your course.

If you wish to take more than one course in a session, check the credit limits.

• Fall online courses
• Spring online courses - Spring is now full and not longer accepting applications

2. Request approval to enroll from the Precollege director

A: Create a NextGen account.

B. Use the account form to upload copies of the documents below, in English, with any social security and account numbers removed or blacked out:

• Application statement (no more than 250 words) that tells us about your interest in the course you selected. Why did you select it? What do you hope to gain from it? Do you have any personal, work, or volunteer experience related to it?
• A PDF of your high school transcript (in English, an unofficial copy on school letterhead, with your name on it)
• A PDF of your most current available grades (in English, an unofficial copy on school letterhead, with your name on it)
• English-language proficiency scores, if applicable.
  If you're an international student, see the English Language Proficiency web page for acceptable exams and minimum scores required to apply to Precollege. Your application will not be considered complete and reviewed for an admissions decision if we do not receive all the available pages of the exam.

The Precollege Studies director will review your request and send you an email notifying you of the decision.

3. Request approval to enroll from your instructor, department, or college registrar

If admitted by the Precollege director, you must also obtain permission from your instructor, department, or college registrar to join a Fall/Spring course. Note: This approval does not guarantee a spot in the class if it fills. See the sample email for course approval.

To determine from whom you need permission, see the list of required approvals by college.

4. Request registration

A. Submit registration form online

After you have received written approval from the Precollege director and your instructor/department/college registrar, submit the online registration form below. This form will submit your registration to the SCE Registrar's Office.

Register online

Please keep in mind the registration deadline. Note that students are enrolled (Step 5) in the order they registered, so it is to your advantage to register early.

See the Fall/Spring Study calendar

B. Activate your Cornell NetID and sign into Student Center

You'll receive email instructions from IT@Cornell for activating your Cornell NetID and setting up your Cornell NetID email.

To finalize the activation, you must sign into Student Center.

C. Complete Term Checklist

The Checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center the day after you've fully activated your netID by logging in the first time.

Detailed instructions will be sent after your registration form has been processed.

You will not be enrolled in classes until all requirements are met.

5. Review your enrollment confirmation

Once you've completed the required steps and if there is space in your class(es), you'll be officially enrolled, and the SCE Registrar will send you an email from cusce@cornell.edu confirming enrollment.

You'll also receive an email if your approved course is full.

Upon receiving an enrollment confirmation, please visit the Student Center to verify that you are enrolled in the correct class(es) and that the correct grading basis is reflected.

Learn about course materials, textbooks, and course expectations.

6. Pay your tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are due within four business days of your enrollment confirmation. (Your payment deadline will be included in your confirmation email.)

See tuition, how to pay. and payment deadlines.

You're responsible for the tuition associated with all classes in which you're enrolled, whether or not you participate in those classes.

Submit important forms

1. The 2024 Parental Permission and Acknowledgment Form

After you have been admitted, and as soon as your NetID is activated, you must submit the Parental Permission and Acknowledgment for Minor Students Form (available in the spring):

• Click on the link above to open the form and submit your parent/guardian’s name and email address. The "parent/guardian" email address must be different than your own email address.
• Complete only the "Student" section of the form.
• Scroll to the bottom of the form (past the "Parent/Guardian" section) and click “Next.” This will send an email to your parent/guardian asking them to complete the required fields in the "Parent/Guardian" section.
• After your parent/guardian completes and submits their part of the form, you'll receive a confirmation email.

2. The 2024 Precollege Studies Code of Academic Integrity

You must submit the 2024 Precollege Studies Code of Academic Integrity Form as soon as your NetID is activated. It must be completed by the student.

You are not officially enrolled until you have completed all steps and submitted full payment for your term.

Contact us if you have any questions.

3. Photo Submission Form (NetID required) (Available in the spring)

• Required
• Deadline: As soon as your NetID is activated.
• You must upload your photo for use on class rosters.
• Questions about ID cards? Visit ID Cards, call 607.255.4232, or email univreg@cornell.edu.

4. Complete the Term Checklist (NetID required)

• Required
• Deadline: As soon as your NetID is activated.
• Once your NetID is active, you must log into Student Center for the first time for our system to recognize your NetID. Until you take this step, you will not be able to complete remaining requirements.
• The Checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center the day after you've fully activated your NetID by logging in the first time.

Visit the Student Center and click on the “To Do List” menu. Here, you will find “Term Checklist.” Be sure to read the introduction on step 1 and advance through all nine steps.

Notes:

• Step 4: Click the “Opt In” button in the top right.
• Step 5: Add at least one emergency contact.
• Step 6: Click the “Accept” button in the top right to accept the agreement.
• Step 7: Click “Agree” or “Decline” in the top right.
• Step 8: Click the “Accept” button in the top right to accept the agreement.
• Step 9: Click the “Submit” button in the top right to complete your checklist.

5. Disability Self-Disclosure and Request for Accommodations Form (Available in the spring)

• Required only for students requesting disability services or accommodations (i.e., exam accommodations, materials in accessible formats) in order to equitably participate in this program.
• Deadline: Advanced notice is needed to arrange the timely implementation of accommodations. Please try to submit the self-disclosure form at least three weeks before your course instruction begins.
• Questions about disability services? Contact Student Disability Services.