CALS Seasonal Admissions Readers

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.

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.

Hourly Pay Rate: Beginning at $20.00/hour.

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 attentionto detail and ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Willingness and ability to apply institutional priorities in accordance with training.
• Ability to internalize feedback andquickly 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.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this temporary position.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a resume/CV and cover letter, during the period of August 8, 2025 and August 20, 2025. We will begin the review of applications on August 21, 2025.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information, visit http://hr.cornell.edu/eeo.

University Job Title:

Job Family:

Level:

Pay Rate Type:

Pay Range:

Remote Option Availability:

Company:

Contact Name:

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to Workday using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by "dragging and dropping" them into the dropbox or by using the "upload" icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.