Admissions Decision Factors
Admission to ILR is competitive. Each application is considered in its entirety and in comparison with other applications for the same class. The admission committee, composed of faculty members from all concentrations, review the applications carefully and consider many factors in admissions decisions.
- Areas of study, majors - successful applicants have undergraduate (and graduate) degrees from a wide variety of majors including: the social sciences, humanities, psychology, business, history, law and others
- Work experience - work experience is not required but a majority of applicants for the professional masters programs (MILR and MPS) have spent a few years in the workplace.
- Required tests - Applications to the MILR program are required to take either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test. The GRE is our preferred test and is taken by the vast majority of applicants. Applicants to the MILR/MBA dual degree program should take the GMAT, which is required by most business schools. The mean GRE scores from recent MILR classes are:
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- GRE 2005: Verbal: 580 Quantitative: 700
- GRE 2006: Verbal: 590 Quantitative: 720
- GRE 2007: Verbal: 550 Quantitative: 710
Please note that the graduate committee considers applications as a whole and test scores are only one of the criteria considered in making admissions decisions. Prior work experience, previous academic performance, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation are also important criteria in selecting students for admission to the MILR program. **The LSAT is not accepted in place of the GRE or GMAT.**
- TOEFL is required for international students whose native language is not English. The minimum TOEFL requirements are as follows:
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- Writing: 20
- Listening: 15
- Reading: 20
- Speaking: 22
Students who have a TOEFL score below the minimum will be required to take the Cornell English Placement Test during orientation.
- Credentials, transcripts - Transcripts from all colleges or universities you've attended must be submitted. There is no specific minimum grade point average, although undergraduate coursework and grades are a factor in the admission decisions.
- Recommendations - 2 academic recommendations are required.
- Interviews - Admissions interviews are not done but informal visits are welcomed. See the visit information page.
