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: 17
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 12
(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: 15,699
Grad and professional school population: 10,265
Cornell acceptance rate
Here are admissions statistics for Cornell’s class of 2026:
Applications: 71,164
Acceptances: 5,168
Matriculants: 3,533
Acceptance rate: 7.3%
(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 2023–2024, the cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) at Cornell’s endowed colleges runs $88,150. At the state contract colleges, out-of-state students also pay $88,150, whereas in-state students pay $66,834.
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:
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 2023–2024 application cycle: ACT or SAT scores (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
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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: 2023–2024 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:
In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “...any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. (350 words)
To think through Cornell’s prompt, students need:
To have an idea of what they might study at Cornell
To show how they are interested in a variety of topics and subjects
To explain why Cornell is the best place to pursue their interests
To connect their life experiences 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 or typing up blog posts about cooking, 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 made the choice 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.
However, my parents have always been supportive of me in all my endeavors, both artistic and scientific. 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. Now, as I focus on a career in pediatrics and psychology, they’re still just as supportive.
Cornell is a place where, like in my parents’ house, students don’t have to shut every other door when they choose to walk through one. I’m excited to participate in truly interdisciplinary research at the College of Human Ecology and make friends while also making an impact through clubs like Healing Hands, which provides art therapy sessions for pediatric GI patients.
I’m also excited to take courses like Food, Gender, and Culture that aren’t required by my major, but that will enrich my understanding of the sociocultural norms surrounding food in cultures around the world.
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 “any person…any study.”
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? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. How will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University specifically serve to support your learning, growth, and the pursuit of your goals?* (650 words)
Essay 2: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are not simply driven to master their discipline, but who are also passionate about doing so to serve the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you had a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (200 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 (ex. farm, ranch, greenhouse, vineyard, etc.). (300 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
Essay 1: What kind of 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 (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 words)
Cornell Engineering supplemental essay
Essay 1: How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? If you have an intended major, what draws you to that department at Cornell Engineering? If you are unsure what specific engineering field you would like to study, describe how your general interest in engineering most directly connects with Cornell Engineering. It may be helpful to concentrate on one or two things that you are most excited about. (250 words)
Essay 2: Describe an engineering problem that impacts your local community. This could be your school, neighborhood, town, region, or a group you identify with. Describe one to three things you might do as an engineer to solve the problem. (250 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.