How to Get Into Cornell University: The Definitive Guide
/How hard is it to get into Cornell? Learn about Cornell’s admission requirements and discover strategies to write great Cornell supplemental essays to increase your chances of getting in
LEARN HOW TO GET INTO CORNELL university
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Part 1: Introduction
If your child is a competitive applicant for Ivy League and other Ivy+ schools (e.g., Johns Hopkins, Duke), you might be encouraging them to apply to the youngest and largest Ivy: Cornell. Cornell’s alumni are among the most notable in a variety of fields, from hotel management and engineering to psychology and veterinary sciences, so your child will have ample career opportunities after Cornell.
Cornell’s beautiful campus, surrounded by hills, gorges, lakes, and breathtaking vistas, will provide your child with the chance to escape into the great outdoors. The town of Ithaca, with more restaurants per capita than New York City, offers students plenty of options for entertainment just a short walk from campus.
From years of advising students, we’ve assembled some crucial information for you and your child about how to get into Cornell.
Cornell University comprises eight colleges that offer over 4,000 courses. No wonder that the Cornell motto is “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.”
Getting into Cornell would allow your child to study literature with revered writers, research in the labs of world-class biologists, study history in Cornell’s expansive collection of archives, or pursue an interest in music in the country’s oldest musicology department.
Your child can spend their summers taking advantage of the enormous network and funding opportunities available at Cornell. Perhaps they’ll conduct research at Cornell’s medical school in New York City or travel to rural Ecuador to study an indigenous language. They might intern at the White House or at a tech company in the Bay Area. No matter what they pursue, the Cornell name will catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
Graduates lead startup companies, work on Wall Street, write poetry, and travel the world with Fulbright Fellowships, to name a few opportunities. They are Nobel and Pulitzer winners, TV stars, and Supreme Court Justices. With one of the largest networks in the Ivy League, Cornell and its alumni will help your child succeed throughout their career.
Cornell University rankings
Here’s where Cornell ranks:
Forbes: 12
Niche: 22
U.S. News & World Report: 12
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 13
(Suggested reading: Ivy League Rankings)
Where is Cornell?
Cornell is located in Ithaca, NY, a small town just over four hours away from New York City with a population of just over 32,000.
Cornell University setting
Rural. Picturesque and cozy, Ithaca is home to splendid cafés, restaurants, bookstores, concert venues, and more. The rural campus is known for its access to nature, especially its lakes, gorges, waterfalls, hills, and canyons.
Cornell student population
Undergraduate population: 16,071
Grad and professional school population: 10,213
Cornell acceptance rate
Here are the admissions statistics for Cornell’s most recent classes:
Applications:
67,846 for class of 2027
Not yet available for class of 2028
Acceptances:
4,994 for class of 2027
5,139 for class of 2028
Matriculants:
3,561 for class of 2027
Not yet available for class of 2028
Acceptance rate:
7.36% for class of 2027
~7.55% for class of 2028 (This assumes 68,000 applications)
(Suggested reading: Ivy League Acceptance Rates)
Cornell tuition and scholarships
The cost of attending Cornell depends on which of the university’s eight colleges your child chooses to attend. That’s due to the fact that certain Cornell colleges are “state contract colleges,” meaning they receive funding from the state of New York, while others are “endowed colleges” and are privately funded. As such, the tuition at Cornell’s state contract colleges differs for in-state and out-of-state residents, whereas all students at the endowed colleges pay the same rate.
Cornell state contract colleges are comprised of:
The College of Agriculture and Life Science
The College of Human Ecology
The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business – Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
The School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Cornell’s endowed colleges are as follows:
The College of Architecture, Art and Planning
The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Engineering
The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business – School of Hotel Administration
In 2024–2025, the cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) at Cornell’s endowed colleges runs $88,742. At the state contract colleges, out-of-state students also pay $88,742, whereas in-state students pay $66,418.
Among the class of 2025, 49.3 percent have received need-based financial aid and the average award is over $49,000. Students whose families earn under $60,000 per year generally receive financial aid packages without any loans or expected parental contribution. For students who do take out loans, the average debt upon graduation is under $24,000.
Who gets into Cornell?
To help you assess your child’s odds of getting into Cornell, we’ve compiled the demographic and academic statistics for the class of 2025:
(Note: As of July 2024, this is still the most recently available data from Cornell.)
84.2% of students who reported their high school class rank were in the top 10% of their graduating class.
Average GPA: Cornell doesn’t publish its average admitted student GPA.
Cornell average ACT score: 34
25th percentile: 33
75th percentile: 35
Cornell average SAT score: 1510
25th percentile: 1450
75th percentile: 1540
International students: 10.2%
Minority students make up the majority of Cornell’s incoming class with 53.1% identifying as students of color and 27.9% identifying as under-represented minorities.
Most students pursue degrees in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Engineering, followed by the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences.
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Part 2: Cornell University admissions requirements
Cornell academic requirements
Like most of its counterparts in the Ivy League and Ivy Plus cohort, Cornell is seeking a sense of purpose from its students.
Cornell students show passion through success in extracurricular activities, especially by committing to a small number of clubs, teams, projects, and leadership roles. Admissions officers are looking for students who have developed a strong sense of what they might study and why Cornell is the best place to pursue that major.
Admissions officers will look to see if your child took advantage of all the opportunities they were presented in high school. This means that if your son’s school only offered AP Calculus AB and AP US History, he should take both of those classes and as many honors classes as possible. Cornell will be especially happy to see that your son took a summer course in chemistry at the local community college or participated in a summer program at Brown.
Here are the specifics for some of the larger colleges:
College of Arts & Sciences: 4 units of English, 3 of mathematics, 3 of science, and 3 of one foreign language.
College of Engineering: 1 unit of chemistry, 1 of physics, and 4 of mathematics (2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of calculus)
College of Agriculture and Life Science: 4 units of English, 4 of mathematics, and 4 of science (including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics, both recommended)
College of Human Ecology: 4 units of English, 4 of mathematics (calculus is strongly recommended), and 4 of science (Including 1 of biology, 1 of chemistry and/or physics, and additional core sciences such as advanced biology)
To see the specific requirements for your child’s anticipated program, consult Cornell’s College and School Admissions Requirements.
Cornell application requirements
Cornell accepts the Common Application, which means your child will need the following to apply:
Cornell supplemental essays
Optional during the 2024–2025 application cycle: ACT or SAT scores However, starting in the following cycle for Fall 2026 enrollment, these test scores will once again be required although certain Cornell colleges are not accepting test scores.
2 teacher letters of recommendation
1 counselor recommendation (from the school college or guidance counselor)
School report, midyear report, and official transcripts sent from your child’s school
Need inspiration for your Common App personal statement? Click below for instant access to 25 full-length example essays including advanced breakdowns of why they resonate with admissions committees.
Gain instant access to 25 exclusive full-length examples covering all seven prompts, plus comprehensive analyses for each to help you craft stellar essays.
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Part 3: Applying to Cornell early action vs. regular decision
Your child can apply early decision to Cornell by November 1 and receive a decision of either accepted, deferred, or denied, by mid-December.
Cornell follows the early decision (as opposed to early action) model, which is binding. This means that your child must commit to attending Cornell if accepted. If accepted, they must withdraw all of their other applications.
Defer means your child will be re-entered into the pool and will hear back by early April, and may be accepted, wait-listed, or rejected then. If they are accepted after being deferred, they are free to attend another university if admitted with the regular decision pool.
Your child can also apply regular decision, by January 2.
How do you know if your child should apply to Cornell early?
Early action might be the right choice for your child:
If Cornell is their top choice
If there’s no other school they’d like to apply to via early decision or restrictive early action
If they are ready to commit to attending Cornell
If they have a strong sense of what school and program they will pursue at Cornell
If their test scores and grades are strong by the end of junior year
In recent years, Cornell has accepted around 46 percent of its class in the early decision pool. That’s probably because students who apply early decision to Cornell are well prepared academically, have a strong sense of what they will study at Cornell, and are enthused to commit to Cornell if accepted.
Applying early decision offers a slight edge to applicants, as it shows that they are committed to attending the university.
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Part 4: 2024–2025 Cornell supplemental essays (examples included)
(Note: While this section covers Cornell’s admissions essays specifically, we encourage you to view additional successful college essay examples.)
Acing the supplemental essays is a crucial part of your child’s strategy to get into Cornell. In addition to the Common App personal statement, Cornell’s supplemental essays help admissions officers develop a sense of why your child wants to study at Cornell, what they wish to study there, and how they might be a strong fit. Cornell is looking for a strong sense of purpose, so students need to apply to the college which best fits their interest, passions, and career goals.
Here’s what Cornell writes about its supplemental essays, which they also call “college interest essays”:
The primary focus of your college interest essay should be what you intend to study at Cornell. In the online Common Application Writing Supplement, please respond to the essay question below that corresponds to the undergraduate college or school to which you are applying.
Cornell supplemental essay #1
Let’s take a look at this year’s prompt required of all applicants.
The prompt asks:
We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.
Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (350 word limit)
To think through Cornell’s prompt, students need:
To have an idea of what they might study at Cornell
To have an idea of how they might contribute to the Cornell campus community
To explain why Cornell is the best place to pursue their interests
To connect their life experiences and ideas about community with specific pursuits at Cornell
Note that 350 words is not an enormous amount of space to relay these ideas. Your child should go through at least three or four drafts to condense their ideas to be clearly communicated within the limit. Writing a coherent five-paragraph essay requires planning, preparation, and revision.
Here’s how Laura Nguyen, a first-generation Vietnamese American from California, approached the prompt:
The walls in my parents’ house are filled floor-to-ceiling with my mom’s art. She studied traditional Vietnamese silk painting as a young woman, and if her life had gone a different way, her work would probably be hanging in museums now. My dad is always scribbling in a journal and when I was little, he would make up incredible, multi-chapter bedtime stories off the top of his head.
When my parents moved to the US, they chose to set aside their art and take on whatever jobs they could find to provide for us. A lot of the aunties and uncles in our neighborhood’s Vietnamese community are skeptical of young people who answer their question of, “What are you going to study in college?” with something in the arts or humanities. They don’t mean to be dismissive, but when they were young immigrants, those careers didn’t pay the bills.
Our Vietnamese community is very close. Neighbors are always curious and ready with an opinion. There’s pressure to conform to a life path considered secure. During their early days in America, this cohesion was necessary while building a foundation in a new country. It can be challenging for the younger generation to strike out on riskier paths that still enrich and support the community.
In contrast, my parents have always been supportive of me in all my endeavors. They drove me to dance practice multiple times a week, stayed up late to help me put the finishing touches on my science fair projects, and even supported thirteen-year-old me when I told them I wanted to be a professional motivational speaker.
Cornell is a place where students can take the risks necessary for growth. I’m excited to participate in truly interdisciplinary research at the College of Human Ecology while also making an impact through clubs like Healing Hands, which provides art therapy sessions for pediatric GI patients.
Protecting the next generation of a community shouldn’t be limited only to practical considerations. As I focus my efforts on pediatrics and psychology, I will, in turn, support the community that supported and shaped me.
Here’s what Laura does well in writing this Cornell supplemental essay:
She connects her life experiences to her vision for the future. Laura grabs the reader’s attention by painting a picture of her diverse interests and her family life. Her artistic and supportive parents sacrificed to give her the space to grow despite any dismissive comments from others in the community and it’s clear this has shaped her into who she is. These experiences speak directly to the theme of community.
She identifies a specific major that interests her and mentions specific activities she will get involved in. Because Laura identifies her interest in pediatrics and psychology, we can tell that she has researched the different programs that Cornell offers. She also mentions her desire to participate in research and join the club “Healing Hands.” This allows her to make a direct connection to what she will contribute to Cornell as well as relays her reasons for choosing Cornell. Her varied interests demonstrate how she views her education and future as a space where she can explore and discover.
Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences supplemental essay
Essay 1: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500 words)
Essay 2: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100 words)
Essay 3: Cornell CALS is dedicated to purpose-driven study of the agricultural, life, environmental, and social sciences and welcomes students with interests that span a wide variety of disciplines. Given our agricultural history and commitment to educating the next generation of agriculturalists, please share if you have a background or interest in agriculture, regardless of your intended major. An "agricultural entity" for the purpose of this question is defined as cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock (e.g., farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.).
Select all that apply:
A primary source of income for my parent/guardian(s) comes from ownership of or employment by an agricultural entity.
My extended family owns or operates an agricultural entity.
I have experience working in an agricultural entity.
I have interest in pursuing a career in an agricultural entity.
Please feel free to share additional details (optional). (100 words)
Cornell College of Arts and Sciences supplemental essay
At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 words)
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business supplemental essay
What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)
Cornell Engineering supplemental essay
Essay 1: Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering? (200 words)
Essay 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering? (200 words)
Essay 3: What brings you joy? (100 words)
Essay 4: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you've already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring? (100 words)
Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 words)
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 words)
College of Human Ecology
How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) (650 words)
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 words)
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Final thoughts
Cornell is among the most competitive schools in the country. Because all students in the matriculating class have excellent grades and high test scores, Cornell is also looking for applicants who have a sense of what they might do once they arrive at the university. By cultivating this sense of purpose through intellectual curiosity and extracurricular passions, your child can become an excellent applicant to Cornell.
About the Author
Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world's foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.
THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.