Fall & Spring Study key dates

  • Fall 2025 study (August 25 – December 20, 2025)
  • Spring 2026 study (January 20 – May 16, 2026)

Fall study 2025: For non-degree students

July 17, 2025
Registration opens for U.S. and international non-degree students
August 8, 2025
Registration deadline for international non-degree students
August 18, 2025
Class enrollment commences for students who have completed all registration requirements
August 20, 2025
Registration deadline for U.S. non-degree students
August 25, 2025
Instruction begins
September 1, 2025
Labor Day (no classes)
September 8, 2025
(11:59 p.m. ET)
Last day to add classes or change credits
 
October 11 – 14, 2025
Fall break
October 13, 2025
Indigenous Peoples' Day (no classes)
October 20, 2025
(11:59 p.m. ET)
Last day to drop a class without a petition and without the letter "W" appearing on your transcript.

Last day to change grading basis
October 20, 2025
First day a petition is required to drop a class (a "W" will appear on your transcript)
Nov. 26 – 30, 2025
Thanksgiving break (no classes)
December 8, 2025
Last day of instruction
December 9 – 11, 2025
Study days
December 12 – 20, 2025
Final exams
December 20, 2025
End of term

Spring study 2026: For non-degree students

November 17, 2025
Registration opens for international non-degree students
December 25, 2025 to January 1, 2026
Cornell is closed for winter break. The university reopens on Friday, January 2, 2026. I-20 processing will not take place during this time.
January 5, 2026
Registration opens for U.S. non-degree students
January 13, 2026
Class enrollment commences for students who have completed all registration requirements
January 20, 2026
Instruction begins

Registration deadline for students not currently enrolled in a Cornell degree program.
February 3, 2026
(11:59 p.m. ET)
Last day to add classes or change credits
 
February 14 – 17, 2026
February break

 
March 17, 2026
(11:59 p.m. ET)
Last day to drop a class without a petition and without the letter "W" appearing on your transcript.

Last day to change grading basis.
March 18, 2026
First day a petition is required to drop a class (a "W" will appear on your transcript)
March 28 – April 5, 2026
Spring break
May 5, 2026
Last day of instruction

Last day to withdraw from a class (a "W" will appear on your transcript).
May 6 – 8, 2026
Study days
May 9 – 16, 2026
Final exams
May 16, 2026
End of term