<p>With so many people not understanding the process, I figured I would post this.
Taken from the admissions web page:</p>
<p>Primary/Alternate Admission
Cornell University offers applicants for undergraduate admission the option of applying to both a primary and an alternate choice college, recognizing that Cornells undergraduate colleges and schools offer a multitude of distinctive academic programs, and that many applicants have diverse intellectual interests that may be satisfied by more than one college or school. Only exceptional candidates with a serious intellectual passion satisfied by the alternate choice college or school will be considered. The decision to consider an application is at the discretion of the admission committee in the alternate choice college.</p>
<p>Application for Admission
Applicants for undergraduate admission will complete the Common Application and the Cornell Supplement to the Common Application. Both early and regular decision applicants will select a primary college for admission and will have the option of selecting an alternate choice college. Applicants who choose this option will be required to write essays and satisfy admission requirements for both the primary and alternate choice college.</p>
<p> It is the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements to complete admission requirements, including any special requirements such as interviews and portfolios.</p>
<p> Applicants are not permitted to change the college(s) to which they have applied after they have submitted the application. Requests to change colleges will not be honored.</p>
<p> Applicants who wish to apply to the same program in both a primary and alternate choice college are required to submit admission essays for both colleges. In cases where a program is offered in more than one college, we encourage applicants to review the graduation requirements and programs available in each college to better understand where their intellectual interests will be best served. Essay questions should address an applicants fit and match with a particular college, school, or program at Cornell. Understanding the distinctive qualities of each of Cornells undergraduate programs will help prospective candidates for undergraduate admission identify the particular college and/or school that best meets their intellectual interests.</p>
<p> Applications that include a primary and alternate choice college will be considered sequentially; first by the primary college and then by the alternate choice college. If an applicant is admitted by the primary college, the application will not be eligible for review by the alternate choice college.</p>
<p> Only exceptional candidates with a serious intellectual passion satisfied by the alternate choice college or school will be considered for admission by the alternate choice college. The decision to consider an application is at the discretion of the admission committee in the alternate choice college.</p>
<p> Applicants will receive only one decision from Cornell University. Once a decision is rendered by Cornell University, requests to be considered by additional colleges and schools at Cornell will not be honored.</p>
<p>Questions??
Additional information about Cornells undergraduate programs is available on the admission web site: admissions.cornell.edu. Should you have additional questions, please contact the admissions office at 607.255.5241 or send e-mail to <a href="mailto:admissions@cornell.edu">admissions@cornell.edu</a>.</p>
<p>Primary/Alternate College Admission</p>
<p>Frequently Asked Questions</p>
<p>General Questions</p>
<p>Am I required to designate a primary and alternate choice college?
All applicants are required to designate a primary college, and have the option of designating an alternate choice college. Applicants are not required to designate an alternate choice college.</p>
<p>Will applying to both a primary and an alternate choice college increase my chances of being admitted to Cornell University?
Admission to Cornell University is competitive and highly selective. With more than 30,000 applicants, admission will remain competitive regardless of whether or not an applicant applies to an alternate choice college.</p>
<p>Will my primary college seriously consider my application if I apply to an alternate choice college?
Absolutely. We understand that some intellectual interests can be satisfied by more than one undergraduate program at Cornell.</p>
<p>Will my essays for both my primary and alternate choice colleges be read by both colleges?</p>
<p>It is possible that both colleges will review your primary and alternate choice college essays.</p>
<p>Which admission requirements must I satisfy if I apply to both a primary and an alternate choice college?
You must satisfy requirements for both colleges.</p>
<p>Can I list the same college as my primary and alternate choice?
No. If you apply to an alternate choice college, this college must be different from the college you selected as your primary choice.</p>
<p>If I apply to a primary and an alternate choice college, will I receive decisions from both colleges?
Applicants will receive only one decision from Cornell University. Once a decision is rendered by Cornell University, requests to be considered by additional colleges and schools at Cornell will not be honored.</p>
<p>If I am admitted to my alternate choice college, will I have the opportunity to change colleges upon enrolling at Cornell?
Transferring between colleges is a possibility, but is not guaranteed. If you are admitted to your alternate choice college and enroll at Cornell, you are making a commitment to study in that college or school.</p>
<p>Questions from Early-Decision Applicants</p>
<p>If I am denied admission during early decision, can I reapply to an alternate choice college during regular decision?
No.</p>
<p>If I apply early decision and my decision is postponed until regular decision, will I have the opportunity to change my choice of colleges?
No. Applicants are not permitted to change the college(s) to which they have applied after they have submitted the application. Requests to change colleges will not be honored.</p>
<p>If I am admitted to my alternate choice college during early decision, is it a binding commitment?
Yes. The early decision binding commitment applies to both the primary and alternate choice colleges you have designated.</p>
<p>Questions from Transfer Applicants</p>
<p>Is primary/alternate admission available for transfer applicants?
A variation of primary/alternate admission is in place for transfer applicants.</p>
<p>Questions about Tuition and Financial Aid</p>
<p>Will I need to complete two financial aid applications?
No. A single application covers all colleges. You will be accepted to only one college, and will receive only one financial-aid decision based on the costs associated with that college.</p>
<p>How will my financial aid eligibility be determined if the tuition fees at my primary and alternate choice colleges differ?
Cornell awards aid on the basis of demonstrated need. The determination of need is based on the cost of your college (tuition, fees, etc., and residency status) less your family contribution (income, assets, family size, number of children in college). Your family contribution remains constant regardless of the cost of the college. If one college costs more than the other, then financial need will increase. Cornell works to meet need with various financial-aid resources such as loans, work, and grants.</p>