Graduate Studies

Admissions Procedures

Applicants should use the online interactive application form provided by the Graduate School to apply for admission, and follow its instructions for the submission of transcripts and letters of reference.

NOTE:  For the Spring and Fall semesters of 2009, the Field of Nutrition will not accept applications for the M.S. only degree option.

Deadlines for applications: Deadlines for applications: The Field of Nutrition accepts students for both the Fall and Spring semesters. Most applicants are admitted in the Fall. For admission in the Fall semester, completed applications must be received by the Graduate School no later than January 10.  For admission in the Spring semester, completed applications must be received by the Graduate School no later than October 1. No applications will be reviewed until all required letters, test scores and transcripts have been received.

Course requirements for admission: All applicants should have completed general and organic chemistry and biochemistry before admission. Physiology is recommended. Applicants wishing to concentrate in Community or International Nutrition also should have completed courses in statistics and the social sciences. Those wishing to concentrate in International Nutrition should have had significant work experience in a developing country. Applicants wishing to concentrate in Molecular Nutrition should have completed course work in molecular biology, cell biology, and/or genetics. Prior laboratory research experience is advantageous for applicants in Human Nutrition and Molecular Nutrition. Most students wishing to concentrate in animal nutrition work with faculty in the Field of Animal Science.

Standardized tests: Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test are required for admission to the Field of Nutrition. Applicants for fall admission should have taken the GRE by December of the previous year.

Fluency in English is essential for successful graduate study in the Field of Nutrition. For applicants whose native language is not English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are required for admission. For those who took the test prior to September 2005, a TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer-based) is required for admission to the Graduate School, but it is our experience that students whose TOEFL score is 600 (250 computer-based) or above are more successful in our program.  For those who take the test from September 2005 onward, the following minimum scores are required:  Writing 20, Listening 15, Reading 20, Speaking 22.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available on a competitive basis in form of fellowships, assistantships, and traineeships sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (in human nutrition) and the National Institutes of Health (in human nutrition and in maternal and child nutrition). Financial aid for foreign students is very limited and is available only to the most highly qualified candidates. Thus, foreign applicants for graduate study in the Field of Nutrition should seek funding from their own governments, international agencies, private foundations or other sources. Applicants should contact the Director of Graduate Studies for assistance in locating external financial support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact for More Information

For further information concerning these programs, write to:

Director of Graduate Studies
Field of Nutrition
B19 Savage Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-6301

or e-mail to nutrition_gfr@cornell.edu

Potential applicants are encouraged to directly contact members of the faculty to learn more about their programs. You are welcome to contact faculty about assistance in working on applications to outside agencies for fellowships for graduate study.

You may apply on-line by going to the Graduate School website. In completing the form, your major field of study will be Nutrition, and your concentration will be Molecular Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Community Nutrition and International Nutrition.  Applicants with an interest in Animal Nutrition are encouraged to apply to the Field of Animal Science. We request that you identify your most-likely concentration to assist us in making admission decisions. Students may change their designated concentration after they matriculate.

The application form and your test scores should be sent directly to the Graduate School. Recommendations, transcripts, and any other materials should be sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, Field of Nutrition, at the above address.

Return to top of page

CU Graduate School Homepage | Nutritional Sciences Home | CU Info Page

Updated July 14, 2008