PhD in Biological & Environmental Engineering

A certified copy of the diploma and/or degree certificate for any conferred degree.

Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate studies (if applicable) should be scanned and uploaded into the online application as part of the submission process. For students who are subsequently admitted and accept the offer of admission, a formal paper transcript will be required prior to matriculation.

Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or employers who can assess the applicant's academic potential for a graduate program are required.

Your Personal Statement should provide the admissions committee with a sense of you as a whole person, and you should use it to describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, it should provide insights into your potential to contribute to Cornell University’s core value to provide a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.

Unless otherwise noted, one to two pages in a standard font and size is typical Include your full name and proposed program of study at the top of each page – if faculty are not reading an electronic version of your essay, pages can become separated. Write with confidence and in an active voice – doing this makes your sentences clear and less wordy/complicated. Language should be positive and focused. Since faculty are the ones reviewing your application, it is fine to use discipline-specific terminology, tone, and style in your ASOP. Introduce yourself and your academic interests Provide simple background information on your area of interest and how it became of particular interest to you. Here you can also share with them how and why you decided to pursue a graduate degree in this field.

TOEFL/IELTS