Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Previously successful applicants generally present a grade point average above a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, a quantitative GRE score above 160 (760) and a verbal GRE score above 153 (500). International students from non-English speaking countries are required by the Graduate School to achieve minimum scores on each of the subsections of the TOEFL exam
University minimums for the iBT version of the TOEFL are: Writing, 20, Listening, 15, Reading, 20, Speaking, 22. You must receive the minimum score on each subsection.
The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS.
Statement of Purpose
The first paragraph should be a summary (150 words) highlighting the topic(s) or area(s) you are interested in studying, naming faculty members or groups with whom you would be interested in working, and outlining academic and research experiences that distinguish you. The statement of purpose should be no more than 2 pages.

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required and should be sent electronically. Recommendations may be requested electronically by providing the name and email address of each recommender on the application.

TOEFL/IELTS Examination (if applicable)
TOEFL or IELTS exam is required of all international applicants from countries where English is not the official language unless the applicant has studied for at least two years in a country where English is the official language and the language of instruction was English.

Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly from ETS to Cornell University. Do not send copies of unofficial scores. Please use University Code 2098, department codes are 68 (Mechanical), 63 (Aerospace), 69 (Theoretical and Applied Mechanics). University minimums for the iBT version of the TOEFL are: Writing, 20, Listening, 15, Reading, 20, Speaking, 22. You must receive the minimum score on each subsection.

The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS. Have IELTS send your Test Report Form (either by postal mail, or electronically) to Cornell University -- Graduate Admissions. Please do not e-mail a scanned copy, or mail a photocopy of your TRF.

Transcripts
A copy of the transcript from each college you have attended is required, electronic copies of official transcripts uploaded into your application are preferred. You will only need to send hard copies of official transcripts if you are admitted and plan to matriculate.

CV or Resume
You are not required to submit a CV or resume, however, if you wish, you may upload a scanned copy of your CV or resume into your application, include a list of publications, if applicable, with your CV.