Admissions Requirements

The application cycle for Fall 2027 is now open. The priority deadline is February 1, and the final deadline is May 1. Start your application here. 

A small number of partial scholarships are offered with each admissions cycle. Applicants applying by the priority deadline are automatically considered for these merit-based awards. 

The tuitions cost and fees for the class of 2026 can be viewed on the Student Services website and are subject to change.

Please describe your background and specific interest in the Master of Science in Computational Biology program. Personal statements should be less than 1500 words and explain skills or experiences relevant to this field of study, your career goals, and any other aspect of your history that would make you a suitable candidate for graduate work in computational biology.  

Either a resume or a curriculum vitae (C.V.) can be submitted. These documents have different formats and serve different purposes in professional life, but we will accept either for the purposes of your application.  

These letters can be from current or former academic mentors, supervisors, or any other individuals who can speak to your capability to succeed in a program like ours. They should comment on your academic, research, communication, and other skills. 

Once you designate your recommenders in the online application, the system will automatically contact them and provide instructions on how they can submit their letters. 

All letters must be on the official school or company letterhead. 

Domestic Transcripts 

College transcripts should be submitted for all previous colleges attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). 

Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance, but students may submit unofficial transcripts with their initial application. 

Foreign Transcripts  

Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S., including Canada, must be transcribed and evaluated by World Education Services (WES), The Evaluation Company (TEC), IEE or a similar evaluation service. 

• If using WES, please select the WES Basic Course-by-Course evaluation and choose "Cornell University - Manhattan NY" as the recipient with "Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences" as the School/Division 
• Evaluations are accepted only from current members of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Official course-by-course evaluations are required for application review. 

Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are optional. The Institution Code Number is 2119. 

International applicants are required to provide proof of English language proficiency. 

Accepted Exams:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (WCGS ETS Code: #2119)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Duolingo English Test (DET)

TOEFL, IELTS and DET scores are valid for two years after the test date 
 

Exemption Policy

For admissions purposes, Weill Cornell Graduate School does not require TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores from applicants who meet one of the following standing exemptions.  If you meet the criteria for one of the following standing exemptions listed below, you will indicate this in your Application for Graduate Admission. There is no need to contact the admissions office in advance unless you have clarifying questions:

1. Speak English as a first language and are a citizen or permanent resident of a country where English is an official language (including but not limited to Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan). 
2. At the time of enrollment at Weill Cornell, will have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university located in the U.S. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the U.S. for the majority of your enrollment.) 
3. At the time of enrollment at Weill Cornell, will have earned the international equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university located in a country where English is an official language, and where English is the language of instruction (including but not limited to Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan). The medium of instruction must be indicated on the transcript or easily verified on the institution’s website. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the exempt country for the majority of your enrollment.) 
4. At the time of enrollment at Weill Cornell, will have studied and/or worked full-time for at least 2 consecutive years* within the last 10 years in a country where English is an official and widely spoken language. This experience must be noted on a transcript and/or described on a resume or CV. We will accept a combination of study and work—e.g., an applicant who completed a 1-year master’s degree in the U.S. followed by 1 year of OPT. If you are or were a student, the full-time study must have been for at least 2 consecutive academic years (potentially slightly less than 24 months) AND English must have been the language of instruction for your studies. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the exempt country for the majority of your enrollment.)

Use of Generative AI in Graduate Admissions Applications