Field of Natural Resources and the Environment – Admissions Policies
(Updated June 2021)
Procedure for presenting an applicant for admission:
1. The faculty member presenting a proposed candidate for admission will a) notify the Graduate Field Assistant (GFA) (nregrad@cornell.edu) regarding your interest in proposing a student for admission, noting which date they want to present and b) ensure that all the application materials including two graduate faculty reviews are complete a minimum of four working days prior to the admissions meeting in which the student is being proposed. If the materials are not complete during this time frame, you will have the opportunity to present the student at the following admissions meeting. It is the faculty member’s responsibility to make sure that all applicant materials are available for review, including graduate faculty comments regarding the applicant. This time frame allows the GFA adequate time to prepare the agenda and meeting materials, work with faculty on any incomplete applications or issues, and gives the Graduate Admissions and Policy Committee sufficient time to review the materials in preparation for the meeting.
2. The faculty member presenting a candidate for admission is responsible for obtaining summary comments from two graduate faculty in the Field of Natural Resources and the Environment (or related graduate field) regarding the applicant’s suitability for admission. After requesting and guaranteeing two graduate faculty willing to review the application, the faculty member proposing a candidate for admission needs to go into the CollegeNet system and assign the two graduate faculty member reviewers to the applicant or contact the GFA (nregrad@cornell.edu) and request that they assign them. The responsibility for obtaining review comments rests with the faculty member proposing a particular candidate, though the GFA can provide assistance as time permits. Review comments should be entered into CollegeNet and not be provided directly to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). It is recommended that faculty select reviewers that are not currently serving on the Graduate Admissions and Policy Committee.
3. Members of the Graduate Admissions and Policy Committee will read materials for the proposed candidates prior to the admissions meeting. The Graduate Admissions and Policy Committee will assess applicants according to the field guidelines for reviewing applicants (Ph.D., M.S., M.S. /Ph.D., M.P.S, change of degree, and change of field)
4. During the admissions meeting, the prospective faculty advisor will have a scheduled 15-minute time slot to present the prospective student and answer questions from the committee regarding the proposed candidate. Faculty members presenting proposed candidates for admission will be asked to address any deficiencies during the admissions meeting.
5. Following review of all candidates, the committee will determine whether to admit each prospective student. The GFA will communicate the outcome of the admissions decision via e-mail to the faculty proposing the student within a week following the meeting. In the event of an unfavorable decision, the faculty member will have the option to work with the DGS to supply additional information to address the committee’s concerns and present the applicant for additional review.
6. The GFA will work with the faculty member to draft the admissions letter, which is signed by the DGS. If funding is being provided, you will need to work with the GFA and the department business manager to write the funding letter.
7. The graduate field has a rolling admissions policy and will accept applications through spring. However, in order to be considered for fellowships, Ph.D. applications should be received by December 31st.
8. Applications for Cornell (including Diversity) Fellowships are typically reviewed at the January admissions meeting. Notification of the fellowship opportunities are shared with the field by the GFA as they are received from the Graduate School. If you are presenting a student for a Fellowship, you must make the committee aware of your nomination at the time you present your student for admission. Criteria for the Diversity, Cornell, and other University fellowships can be found on the Graduate School website at this URL: https://gradschool.cornell.edu/financial-support/fellowships/ Faculty should share these funding opportunities with prospective students.
9. Admissions meetings will be scheduled in late November for Spring admission, and late January and March for Fall admission. Applicants proposed after March will be considered by email.
10. Most requests for funding are considered at the January admissions meeting. If you want to requests fellowship or other support for a prospective student, please present them at the January meeting.
Admissions Committee membership (2020-21):
Marianne Krasny (Director of Graduate Studies)
Nina Overgaard Therkildsen
Stephen Morreale
Peter McIntyre