Application Requirements

Application to Multiple Programs Policy

Applicants may submit an application to only one degree program within the Department 

• Applicants must select one PHS degree program when submitting an application.
• Simultaneous applications to multiple PHS programs during the same admissions cycle are not permitted.
• Applicants who wish to be considered for a different PHS program must withdraw their current application before submitting a new application to another PHS program, provided the application deadline for the new program has not passed.
• Exceptions to this policy are not routinely granted and require approval from the Admissions Office.

Submitting Materials

Please do not mail hard copy materials to the Department of Population Health Sciences office. Official transcripts and test scores may be sent electronically to phs-admissions@med.cornell.edu.

*Application review is contigent upon the receipt of all supplementary materials listed below.

Online Application

• Application fee: $80

Personal Statement

Your personal statement should be no more than 2-3 pages in length and outline the following items:

• Your interest in the field you are applying to
• Any previous operational and/or research experiences you have in this field or a related area of study
• Your career goals and how this degree will help you achieve them
• Any skills, previous experiences, and/or other information that is not readily identified in the other items you submit that would make you an ideal candidate

Resume/CV

Three Letters of Recommendation

• These letters can be from current/former academic mentors, current/former supervisors, and/or any other individuals who can speak to your capability to succeed in a program like ours, as well as your academic, research, communication, and leadership 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 official school and/or company letterhead.

College Transcripts

• College transcripts should be submitted for all previous colleges attended (undergraduate, graduate, and professional)
• Official transcripts will be required upon acceptance, however students may submit unofficial transcripts with their initial application
• GRE/GMAT Scores (optional)

International Candidates

Foreign Transcript Evaluation Requirements

• Foreign transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S., including Canada, must be transcribed and evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).
• Official foreign transcript evaluations are required for application review.
• Please request your transcript evaluation early so that it arrives before the application deadline.

Submitting a WES Evaluation

In order for our office to receive your WES evaluation, it must be sent to us electronically.

• Select Cornell University – Manhattan.
• School/Division: Select WEILL CORNELL GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES.
• Department/Office Name: Select POPULATION HEALTH SCIENCES.
• For more information on how to request the correct WES evaluation, please visit: Weill Cornell Medicine - Population Health Sciences - WES

English Language Proficiency Requirements

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo Scores

Applicants who, at the time of enrollment, have studied in full-time status for at least two academic years and graduated within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or with English language instruction in Canada or South Africa, are exempt from having to provide English Language Proficiency exam test results.

TOEFL

• TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date.
• Note: If you have taken the TOEFL iBT test more than once within the last 2 years, ETS will automatically include your MyBest scores along with the traditional scores from your selected test date.
• Submit your scores to TOEFL code: 2119.

IELTS

• IELTS scores are valid for two years after the test date.
• IELTS results must be submitted directly via e-delivery to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”

Duolingo English Test

• Results for the Duolingo English Test are valid for two years after the test date.
• Applicants must submit their results directly through Duolingo to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”

Competitive Scores

We don’t have minimum score requirements, but competitive applicants will receive:

• 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT taken on or before January 20, 2026. 5 or above (overall score and subscores) on the TOEFL iBT taken on or after January 21, 2026.
• 130 and above on the Duolingo English Test.
• 7 and above on the IELTS Academic.

English Proficiency Exemption

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:

• 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).
• 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.)
• 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.)
• 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.)