WHO WE ARE:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• New York State resident (and all work must be conducted in New York State).
• Well-developed computer skills and the ability to quickly adapt to new technology.
• Strong ability to manage time independently.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Willingness and ability to apply institutional priorities in accordance with training.
• Ability to internalize feedback and quickly adapt to suggested modifications.
• Ability to maintain the strictest levels of discretion and confidentiality.
• Requires long periods of time reading from a computer screen and typing on a keyboard.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in selective college admissions and/or attendance at, or previous employment at, a highly selective university.
• Understanding of the value of higher education.
• Experience handling a high volume workload and a track record of meeting deadlines.

ABOUT US

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell’s far-flung global presence includes the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Cornell University’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences is seeking temporary seasonal admissions readers for the 2025-2026 undergraduate admissions season. Seasonal readers will be trained by the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences admissions staff to evaluate first-year applications, including the review of high school transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and other application components. The admissions review is comprehensive, taking into consideration each applicant’s personal background, academic preparation, and extracurricular experiences, across a broad range of high school contexts and within a highly selective admissions process.
Seasonal readers are expected to commit to working up to 19 hours per week during early decision online application review, beginning with Zoom training sessions (October through mid-December 2025) and up to 19 hours per week during regular decision application review (mid-December through mid-March 2026 with the exception of the last week of December). There may be an occasional opportunity to work up to 25 hours per week (if a reader chooses to do so). Readers will conduct a comprehensive online review of around 30 application per 19-hour week in early decision and around 45 applications per 19-hour week in regular decision. All training and work will be conducted remotely, within New York State.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Seasonal readers will:

• Partner with an admissions staff member following training for the duration of the reading period.
• Support their assigned staff member by serving as the initial reader of application files from prospective first-year students.
• Independently review high school transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and other application documents.
• Provide organized, clear and thorough notations consistent with training.
• Manage personal schedule to prioritize reading the expected volume of applications.
• Maintain communication with the CALS Admissions staff.
• Be receptive to guidance and feedback from CALS Admissions staff.

All applications are read online. Candidates must have a recent computer (preferably fewer than 5 years old) with a reliable, high-speed internet connection, and must have access to a private, secure location in which to work.
In most cases, we cannot consider candidates who are the parents/guardians of a high school junior or senior. We cannot consider candidates who currently work with high school students or college admission professionals including high school guidance counselors and independent consultants. Additional situational guidelines may also apply.