Cornell University Admissions: What Is Cornell University’s Acceptance Rate? (2024)

Attending Cornell University is a dream for many students, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s one of the most elite universities, and Cornell has the highest acceptance rate compared to the other Ivy League schools, according to Crimson Education. In this article, we cover the numbers and details related to the Cornell University acceptance rate and what it means for prospective applicants.

This article will also share insights into the number of applications per year, enrollment by ethnicity, and some tips for applying to Cornell University. Continue reading to know everything.

Is Cornell University Easy to Get Into?

No, Cornell University is not easy to get into. However, Cornell has had the highest acceptance rate over the past decade, ranging from 10 to 12 percent, compared to other Ivy League schools, such as Harvard University and Princeton University, which had acceptance rates between four and six percent.

Cornell University can be challenging to enter, but if you work hard and complete all the requirements, you will have a promising future. In addition, Cornell University has a 94 percent graduation rate, indicating that the experienced faculty do everything possible to help students succeed.

What Is Cornell University’s Acceptance Rate?

Cornell University has a 10.7 percent acceptance rate. Among the universities in the Ivy League, Cornell University has held relatively high acceptance rates for the past 10 years.

What Is Cornell University’s Transfer Acceptance Rate?

The Cornell University transfer acceptance rate is 15.7 percent. Of the 5,908 applicants in 2021, 929 were granted acceptance, with 655 transfer students enrolling. Therefore, it’s also not easy for transfer students to enroll at Cornell University.

What Is Cornell University’s Early Decision Acceptance Rate

The early decision (ED) acceptance rate at Cornell University is 24.4 percent. According to the Cornell Daily Sun, ED applications surged by 90 percent during the past decade. However, to be considered for ED acceptance, it’s essential to meet all eligibility prerequisites, including withdrawing all applications to other schools, if applicable.

Cornell University Admissions: An Overview

• Number of Applicants at Cornell University per year: 67,380
• Cornell University Acceptance Rate: 9%

Cornell University is highly selective. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), only nine percent of candidates get accepted to Cornell. In the most recent states available, Data USA reveals that Cornell University accepted 5,514 undergraduate applications out of over 51,500 applicants in 2020.

Who Gets Into Cornell University?

Cornell University welcomes diversity. In terms of demographics, the school has a student population that identifies as 33.6 percent White, 16.6 percent Asian, 11.4 percent Hispanic and 5.79 percent Black African Americans.

Cornell University is a demanding university with a low acceptance rate compared with other universities in the US. To be admitted to Cornell, students must review the process and submit an application that includes test scores, transcripts, and a writing supplement.

Cornell University Enrollment by Ethnicity

• White – 33.6%
• Asian – 16.6%
• Hispanic – 11.4%
• Black or African American – 5.79%
• Two or More Races – 3.98%
• American Indian or Alaska Native – 0.237%
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders – 0.102%

Cornell University Acceptance Rate by Major

The most popular majors at Cornell college are Industrial and Labor, Hotel Management, and Engineering. The average admission rates for these three majors range from 7 to 18 percent, as displayed below.

Acceptance Rate by Major at Cornell University

• School of Industrial and Labor Relations: 17.12%
• School of Hotel Administration: 19%
• College of Engineering: 8%

Cornell University Application Deadline: When Is Cornell University’s Application Due?

The deadline to apply to Cornell University is January 2. However, the application due for those who want to apply for ED is November 1. In addition, if you’re a student who wants to transfer, the application deadline for transfer admission is October 15. For other detailed information on application timelines and application materials, you may visit the Cornell college website.

Cornell University Application Deadlines

• Early Decision Deadline: November 1
• Early Action Deadline: November 1
• Application Fee: $80
• Common App: Yes

What Are the Major Reasons to Go to Cornell University?

The variety of academics, the graduation rate, and the reputation of Cornell University are just some of the many reasons for pursuing an education at Cornell University. We explain the significance of these reasons below.

Variety of Academics

Cornell University is a place where you can challenge yourself. This prestigious institution offers 4,000 courses and has more than 100 academic divisions. Additionally, Cornell has a skilled faculty ready to assist you during your time there.

Graduation Rate

The high graduation rate of 94 percent at Cornell University is significant because it demonstrates how the faculty and staff work to help students succeed in their education. Unfortunately, the institution has a low admission rate, yet admitted students have a promising future.

Reputation

Graduating from one of the eight Ivy League universities, such as Cornell University, will help you stand out when searching for jobs. This private research school can also help you build a strong network, enabling you to advance your career.

Tips for Applying to Cornell University

When applying to an Ivy League, tips for the process are important to submitting a quality, noteworthy application. Preparing your essay or writing supplement in a reasonable timeframe, and obtaining a minimum of two letters of recommendation are additional factors to remember when applying to Cornell University. Discover these tips and more below.

Prepare for the Writing Supplement

Cornell University wants to know why they should choose you from more than 50,000 applications. To make your application stand out, authentically explain why you’re a good fit for the school in the writing supplement portion. It is important to note that there is a 650-word limit, so select your words wisely by writing about your career goals.

Get Letters of Recommendation

Recommendation letters strengthen your chances of gaining admission to your chosen school. In addition, these letters reveal your personality, academic achievements, and talents. Therefore, it’s vital to ask your teachers or advisors to write yours promptly, so these recommendations are ready to add to your application as soon as possible.

Know All the Requirements

Cornell University has an checklist of all the application requirements that you can use as guidance. To get into Cornell University, you must fulfill the admissions deadlines, whether they are for ED, regular, or transfer admissions. Be prepared to submit all the required documents, such as letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and standardized official scores of the test results.

Cornell University Admissions Requirements: First-Year Applicant Checklist

This article section provides essential information regarding Cornell’s application process and requirements if you’re a first-year student, including the minimum GPA, SAT, and ACT scores required. The list below highlights the main admissions requirements, as well as a few which are typically considered but not necessarily required.

• Minimum GPA of 3.5
• $80 application fee
• Official secondary transcripts
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• SAT/ACT test scores (considered)
• Formal demonstration of skills (considered)
• TOEFL (international applicants)

Cornell University SAT Requirements

Below, we show you the SAT scores required to get accepted into Cornell University. A 25th percentile figure shows that 25 percent of students scored at or below that number, while a 75th percentile figure tells us that 25 percent scored above that number.

• Students Submitting SAT Scores: 41%
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 700 (25th percentile); 760 (75th percentile)
• SAT Math: 750 (25th percentile), 800 (75th percentile)

Cornell Universit ACT Requirements

Below, you can find the percentage of students that submitted their ACT scores. Note that undergraduate students in Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business are score-free. This means that exam scores are not required for admission.

• Students Submitting ACT Scores: 20%
• ACT Composite: 33 (25th percentile), 35 (75th percentile)
• ACT English: 34 (25th percentile), 35 (75th percentile)
• ACT Math: 31 (25th percentile), 35 (75th percentile)

Acing Your Cornell University Application: What Is the Best Way to Prepare for the SAT?

Take a Full-Length Practice Test

Taking a full-length practice test will help you understand what the actual exam will involve. You can use Khan Academy to guide and boost your test performance since it’s authoritative, personalized, and engaging. It’s also free.

Consider Early Testing Sessions

You’ll have time to repeat the SAT if your score is unsatisfactory or if you wish to improve it, which is one of the primary benefits of selecting an early session. Also, remember that Cornell University is incredibly challenging. Therefore, if you want to be stress-free, having enough time to satisfy the requirements is advantageous for the admissions process.

Manage Your Time

Effective time management will allow students to be more productive and give them additional time to prepare for the exam and familiarize themselves with its format. In addition, effective time management will remove some of the anxiety of applicants and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or worried throughout the exam, which can result in poorer test scores.

Cornell University GPA Requirements: What GPA Do I Need to Get In?

Cornell University generally has no minimum GPA requirement. However, it’s a very selective school, so it’s essential to have a GPA above 3.5 to secure a spot in any college department. For example, successful applicants for the Electrical and Computer Engineering College need a cumulative GPA of 3.50/4.0.

Cornell University Tuition: How Much Does it Cost to Attend Cornell University?

Cornell University’s annual cost of attendance (COA) is $41,958 for New York City residents and $62,456 for non-residents. Although the school’s website states that this amount is prior financial aid, remember that the actual cost of attendance can fluctuate depending on key factors, such as on-campus or off-campus living. The COA might be significantly lowered if you qualify for a financial aid package.

Common Majors at Cornell University

According to Data USA, the most common majors at Cornell University are computer science (396 degrees), general biological sciences (294 degrees), and labor and industrial relations (270 degrees).

Administration and management are the most popular male majors, whereas computer science is the most common female major. The professions available in some of Cornell University’s most popular programs are listed below.

Computer Science

Cornell’s computer science department provides challenging courses such as algorithms and programming, and electives such as artificial intelligence (AI). Graduates of this major can become software engineers or data processors. A graduate student may also pursue postgraduate degree programs, such as master’s degrees or doctorates, in psychology or information science.

Best Jobs for Computer Science Graduates

• Software Engineer
• Computer Network Architect
• Computer Systems Analyst

General Biological Sciences

Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences department gives students access to a faculty of more than 300 experts in the industry. Graduates can specialize in various fields, including psychology, molecular biology, and human nutrition. As a result, graduates will have the technical skills to find work in healthcare and education.

According to the school’s website, 41 percent of graduates pursued medicine, while the remaining lesser percentages chose in-demand careers such as physician assistants.

Best Jobs for General Biological Sciences Graduates

• Neurophysiological Technologist
• Management Analysts
• Physician Assistants

Labor and Industrial Relations (LIR)

Labor and Industrial Relations is among the most popular majors at Cornell University, with 270 degrees awarded. The school is equipped with a faculty that comprises top researchers. They teach and lead prospective students towards success in careers like human resources and labor relations.

Best Jobs for LIR Graduates

• Human Resources Managers
• Labor Relations Specialists
• Job Analysis Specialists

Cornell University Attendance Outcomes

According to Data USA, the most common jobs for Cornell University students are software developers, nuclear engineers, civil engineers, miscellaneous managers, and mechanical engineers. Note that this data is based on students who graduated from the school.

The table below shows the top five positions for both common jobs for graduate students and alumni’s highest-paying careers, followed by the median salary and job outlook.

Most Common Jobs for People Who Attended Cornell University

Cornell University Alumni Highest-Paying Jobs

Should I Apply to Cornell University?

Yes, you should apply to Cornell University. Ezra Cornell founded Cornell University in 1865 to create an institution where anyone could receive an education in any field. Currently, Cornell offers over 100 majors in various fields, allowing students to pursue their desired careers.

Cornell is a large university with over 20,000 students. The campus size is beautiful, and the location in upstate New York is ideal. In addition, the faculty at Cornell are experts in their field, and the university offers many research opportunities. This is a great school to pursue a bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree.

Cornell University Acceptance Rate FAQ