# Cornell Office ofUndergraduate Admissions

**Source**: https://admissions.cornell.edu/policies/information-prospective-applicants-misdemeanor-or-felony-conviction
**Parent**: https://admissions.cornell.edu/policies

# Information for Prospective Applicants with a Misdemeanor or Felony Conviction

In Spring 2016, Cornell University signed President Obama’s Fair Chance Higher Education Pledge. Cornell has committed to eliminating unnecessary barriers in the admissions process for applicants who provide information about a misdemeanor or felony conviction.

In collaboration with the Cornell Prison Reform and Education Project (PREP), this information is intended to assist prospective students with information about Cornell’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary barriers in the admissions process.

Among the elements of the pledge, Cornell has committed to:

- Following a protocol for reviewing applications involving students who have provided information about a misdemeanor or felony conviction;
- Considering information about a misdemeanor or felony conviction only after conducting an individualized and holistic review of the admissions application and determining sufficient potential for admission; and
- Providing applicants the opportunity to explain a misdemeanor or felony conviction and to submit supporting information from officials at an educational institution (e.g. secondary school or institution of higher education).

Questions regarding Cornell’s admissions process for applicants with a misdemeanor or felony conviction should be directed to [engage@admissions.cornell.edu](mailto:engage@admissions.cornell.edu).

For more information, please see Cornell’s [Prison Reform and Education Project](https://www.cornellprisonreform.com/about) website.

## Links:

[Cornell Prison Reform and Education Project](https://www.cornellprisonreform.com/)\
[Cornell University Prison Education Program](https://cpep.cornell.edu/)\
[Fair Chance Higher Education Pledge](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/issues/criminal-justice/fair-chance-pledge)

## News Stories:

[Former prison students celebrate college degrees](https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/07/former-prison-students-celebrate-college-degrees)\
[NY re-entry program awards Cornell $750K for prison education](http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/08/ny-re-entry-program-awards-cornell-750k-prison-education)\
[Auburn student prisoners debate team of future lawyers](http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/05/auburn-student-prisoners-debate-team-future-lawyers)\
[$1.7 million Mellon grant fortifies prison education](http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/09/17-million-mellon-grant-fortifies-prison-education)\