Programs

Local Students – Fall Semester

Fall Enrollment in Precollege Studies

Students attending high school in Tompkins County, NY are eligible to apply for the following in-person courses offered during the Cornell University Fall academic semester, which runs August 24 through December 19, 2026:

  • Math 1920: Multivariable Calculus for Engineers (4 Credits)
  • Math 2210: Linear Algebra (4 Credits)

Cornell does not provide transportation for students. Students are responsible for arranging approvals for any absence from high school.

Eligibility Requirements

To attend the Precollege Studies program as a commuter in the Fall 2026 semester, you must be:

  • A current junior or senior enrolled in a Tompkins County, NY, high school;
  • between the ages of 16 and 19;
  • able to demonstrate the academic ability, maturity, and intellectual curiosity necessary to undertake college-level work; and,
  • prepared at the level indicated by required course prerequisites.

How to Apply

1. Create an account

Create an account with Cornell SCE to start your application.

2. Complete your application form and personal essay

Fill out all required information in the Precollege Studies application form. Students attending Tompkins County (NY) high schools should select Local High School in the application fee waiver section to avoid being charged the application fee.

Submit a personal essay
Included in the application form is a text box for submission of a personal essay. This essay is an important part of your application, and we suggest writing it in a Word document then copying and pasting it into the text box. The prompt for the essay consists of the following three elements:

  • Tell us about the academic area that you are interested in pursuing during the Precollege Studies program. Explain what you are expecting to gain from this course and describe why you are confident in succeeding in the program.
  • What experience or background are you bringing to the study of your chosen topic?
  • What do you think sets you apart from other applicants to this program?

The recommended essay length is 1,000 to 1,500 words with a maximum length of 2,000 words. Generative artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT or translation apps should not be used.

3. Provide contact information for an academic recommendation

The application requires the name and contact details for a teacher or guidance counselor who will serve as a reference. Due to the short application period, we encourage you to contact your recommender prior to the application opening and alert them that you will be sharing their email, and that a recommendation letter is required and due by the Application and Materials Due date, which is August 12 for the Fall 2026 semester.

4. Upload all unofficial high school transcripts

Your unofficial high school transcript should include all school terms from the Fall of your 9th grade year through Spring 2026 and should show all grades.

5. Select the course you wish to attend

During the application process, you will indicate your desired course. If admitted, you and your parent/guardian will need to complete enrollment paperwork before you can be enrolled in the course. Full payment is due within four business days of notification of course enrollment.

2026 Fall Course Options
* Sign in at the top of the class roster once you have received your NetID to see class locations.

6. Monitor your online portal

After you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions for logging into your online portal to:

  • Check the status of your application;
  • upload additional materials (if required); and,
  • view your admissions decision when available.
Tuition & Fees

Local high school students enrolled in the fall program are charged tuition and the Cornell Student Health Fee, which is included in the total below. Additional costs not listed may include course-related materials, typically in the form of access to required textbooks in electronic format.

  4 credits
Tuition ($2,013 per credit) $8,052
Cornell Student Health Fee (required) $300
Total $8,352
Students attending Tompkins County (NY) high schools are not charged an application fee for the Precollege Studies program.
How to Pay

Please submit your payment through your Bursar account. You must activate your NetID before you can access this account.

The Office of the Bursar offers these payment options:
Electronic payments via Cashnet
Pay now via Cashnet
(Note: Credit card payment is not available via Cashnet)

Wire transfers via Flywire
Pay now via Flywire
(Note: Be sure to review Flywire’s Terms of Use, including Refund section 5.9. Refunds may take approximately three weeks to process.)

Financial Assistance

The School of Continuing Education is pleased to announce that high school students who are eligible for an SAT fee waiver code, as defined by the College Board SAT Fee Waiver Eligibility terms, are eligible for free tuition during the fall semester while enrolled in a Precollege course as a high school student. An official letter from a school counselor, documenting eligibility will be required prior to enrollment.

Dates & Deadlines

The Precollege Studies program admits students on a rolling basis, which means that we will review and act on complete applications as they are received.

 
Application, Enrollment, and Payment Deadlines
Fall 2026 Course Dates Application Opens Application and Materials Due Enrollment Forms Due Course Enrollment Deadline
August 24 – December 19, 2026 August 3, 2026 August 12, 2026 August 20, 2026
(2:00 p.m. ET)		 August 21, 2026
Once enrolled, tuition is due within four business days of your enrollment confirmation. Your specific payment deadline will be clearly stated in your confirmation email.
 
Academic Calendar
Fall Precollege Studies programming follows the official Cornell University academic calendar. For more information about instruction dates, holidays, and final exams, please visit the University Registrar’s Academic Calendar for 2026–2027.
Refunds & Withdrawals
To withdraw from your program, you must submit a course drop form and a request to withdraw through your Student Portal. Your tuition refund amount will be determined by the prorated tuition adjustment schedule on Cornell’s Office of the Bursar website.
 
If you stop attending a class without officially requesting to drop it, you will not receive a refund. (A petition is required to drop a class if the last day to drop without the letter “W” (withdraw) appearing on your transcript has passed.)
 
Refunds are not available to students dismissed from a course.
 
The student health fee cannot be refunded after the first day of the session. For more information, contact Student Health Benefits.
 
In addition, if you are entitled to a refund, please follow the instructions on the Bursar’s website to request a refund.

For questions about this opportunity, please contact the School of Continuing Education at precollege@cornell.edu or (607) 255-4987.