Cornell University's Competitive Application Numbers Revealed

Cornell University is an extremely selective institution, with an acceptance rate of around 10%. In 2023, Cornell received 67,846 applications and accepted 5,358 students, with an overall acceptance rate of 7.9%. The university has seen a downward trend in its acceptance rate over the last few years, while the number of applicants has increased annually by the thousands. Cornell's undergraduate enrollment stands at over 16,000 students, with a vibrant campus life that includes more than 1,000 student organizations and a strong Greek life presence.

Cornell's acceptance rate

Cornell University is an extremely selective institution, with an acceptance rate of around 10%. In 2023, Cornell received 67,846 applications and accepted 5,358 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 7.9%. This was a slight increase from the previous year, when the acceptance rate was reported to be 5.7%.

The acceptance rate for the Class of 2022 was even lower, at 10.3%. This continues a multi-year trend of decreasing acceptance rates at Cornell, with the rate dropping by half over the past decade. During this same period, the number of applicants has increased significantly, with a 55.2% increase in applications over the last ten years.

The high number of applicants and low acceptance rate at Cornell can be attributed to its reputation as a top-tier university. Cornell is consistently ranked among the best colleges in the United States and is known for its rigorous curriculum and selective admissions process. The university receives applications from high-achieving students around the world, resulting in a highly competitive admissions process.

The acceptance rate varies across Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges and schools, each of which has its own admissions process. The two largest undergraduate colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, have their own unique admissions criteria. Other factors that can impact the acceptance rate include the number of applicants, the strength of the applicant pool, and the availability of spaces in specific programs.

In addition to academic excellence, Cornell's admissions officers look for students who demonstrate a passion for contributing to the community and possess certain traits and qualities that align with the university's values. The admissions process is highly subjective, and officers consider a range of factors beyond just grades and test scores, making it difficult to predict the exact acceptance rate for any given year.

Application requirements

Cornell University is an extremely selective institution, accepting only around 7.9% of applicants in 2023. The application requirements are extensive and thorough, ensuring that only the best candidates are accepted. Here is a detailed overview of the application requirements for Cornell University:

Application Timeline

The application process at Cornell University consists of two rounds: Early Decision and Regular Decision. The Early Decision application deadline is November 1, with supporting materials due by November 15. Applicants are notified of their admissions decision by mid-December. The Regular Decision round has an application deadline of January 2, with supporting materials due shortly after. Admissions decisions are announced by early April.

Application Materials

Cornell University requires applicants to submit the Common Application, along with the Cornell Writing Supplement. There is also an $80 application fee, although fee waivers are available for those who qualify. Certain programs, such as Architecture, Art, and Landscape Architecture, may require additional materials such as portfolios or video interviews.

Standardized Testing

For students applying for the Fall 2025 semester, Cornell has a test-recommended or score-free policy, depending on the specific college/school. However, for Fall 2026 and beyond, official SAT or ACT scores will be required. SAT Subject Tests are not required or expected for admission.

High School Coursework and Transcripts

Cornell University expects applicants to have a rigorous high school curriculum. For the College of Arts & Sciences, applicants are required to have completed 3 units of mathematics (including pre-calculus) and 3 units of a foreign language. Additionally, applicants should submit official high school transcripts, including grades from 9th through 11th grade and a mid-year report of 12th-grade courses.

Letters of Recommendation

Cornell requires applicants to submit three letters of recommendation: one counselor recommendation and two teacher evaluations. The counselor recommendation should highlight the student's accomplishments within the context of their high school, while the teacher evaluations should focus on the student's academic strengths and contributions in the classroom.

Supplemental Materials

Some programs at Cornell University may require supplemental materials. For example, the College of Arts & Sciences encourages applicants who believe their musical abilities will enhance their application to submit music recordings. Additionally, programs such as Architecture, Art, and Design may require portfolios or other design supplements.

Financial Aid

Cornell University offers financial aid, and applicants can apply by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The university meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students and practices need-blind admissions.

Interviews

Cornell University does not conduct formal evaluative interviews as part of the admissions process. However, informational meetings with Cornell alumni are often arranged, providing applicants with an opportunity to learn more about the university.

Essays

In addition to the Cornell Writing Supplement, applicants are required to submit essays as part of the Common Application. These essays play a crucial role in the admissions process, allowing applicants to showcase their interests, experiences, and reasons for applying to Cornell.

Application Review Process

At Cornell University, undergraduate applications are funnelled to the specific college within the university that the applicant has chosen. The applications undergo a "first review" to assess the minimum academic credentials. If an applicant passes this initial review, admissions officers conduct a more comprehensive evaluation, considering factors such as the rigor of the applicant's high school coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Cornell's undergraduate colleges

Cornell University is a highly selective institution, with an overall acceptance rate of 7.9% in 2023. The university received 67,846 applications for the Class of 2027 and accepted 5,358 students.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

CALS is a pioneer of purpose-driven science with a broad and deep expertise needed to affect real change in the world. It offers over 20 majors and 30 minors, and students apply to a specific CALS major, chosen based on their academic and demonstrated personal fit. The college focuses on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)

AAP teaches architecture, fine arts, and city and regional planning as creative and powerful forces with the potential to improve the world. There are additional requirements for admission to AAP, including specific campus choices: Ithaca, New York City, and Rome.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is Cornell's largest undergraduate college. It embraces exploration and diversity as the hallmarks of its liberal arts approach. Students can choose from over 60 areas of study, including Africana Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Asian Studies, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Classics, Cognitive Science, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, Economics, and many more.

Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy

The Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy harnesses the university's expertise in public policy teaching, research, and engagement. The school's core areas of study include data science and technology policy, environmental and sustainability policy, health policy, human security, inequality and social policy, the politics and economics of development, and race, racism, and public policy.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering encourages students to break the rules of conventional thought and think independently. It offers incredible depth, with 14 majors and 20 minors to explore before declaring a major as a sophomore. Majors include Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Environmental Engineering, among others.

College of Human Ecology

The College of Human Ecology examines human life from scientific, social, and design perspectives. Its academic programs are interdisciplinary and flexible, connecting the complex variables of life to address contemporary and emerging human challenges. Majors include Design and Environmental Analysis, Fashion Design and Management, Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Global and Public Health Sciences, Human Biology, Health and Society, Human Development, and Nutritional Sciences.

School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR)

ILR is a leading college of applied social sciences, focusing on work, employment, and labour. It offers undergraduate and graduate education, as well as career-long learning for professionals. Study areas include human resource management, labour-management relations, labour economics, organisational behaviour, international and comparative labour, labour relations, labour law, conflict resolution, and diversity and inclusion, among others.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business houses two accredited business schools: the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. The college offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The Nolan School teaches business through the lens of hospitality, while the Dyson School is internationally renowned for its expertise in food and agricultural economics, environmental and resource economics, and international and development economics.

The application process

Cornell University is an extremely selective academic institution, accepting only around 7% of applicants in 2023. The application process is the first step towards joining the Cornell community, a diverse and inclusive group of students from all walks of life. The university is committed to fostering an environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds and experiences, and this is reflected in the application process.

First Steps

The first step for prospective students is to determine the type of admission they are seeking. Cornell offers applications for first-year students, including international applicants, and also accepts transfer students. The university provides a timeline, process, and requirements for applicants to follow.

Application Requirements

Cornell University has a rigorous set of requirements for applicants. Successful applicants typically possess an 'A' average in a challenging high school curriculum and stellar SAT/ACT scores. They also demonstrate a record of accomplishment outside the classroom, usually in two or more extracurricular activities. While these attributes are necessary, they are often not sufficient, as Cornell's application process is highly competitive.

Application Review

Undergraduate applications to Cornell are not reviewed by a central admissions office. Instead, they are funnelled to the specific college within the university that the student has applied to. Applications then undergo a "first review," which assesses whether the applicant meets the minimum academic credentials for serious consideration. Around 80% of applicants make it through this initial stage.

Next Steps

In the next round of reviews, admissions officers delve deeper into the applicant's academic background, carefully reading their supplemental essay about their interest in studying at Cornell. They look for evidence of a strong desire to become a part of the Cornell student community, which can be demonstrated through extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters.

Acceptance

Cornell University accepts around 7% of applicants, with a slightly higher early decision acceptance rate of 17.5% for the 2023-24 cycle. The university aims to secure about 30% of the freshman class during the early decision round, but this number is expected to decrease for future application cycles.

Additional Considerations

Cornell does not consider "demonstrated interest" in the application process, so applicants are not judged on whether they have made a campus visit or contacted an admissions officer. However, the university does offer informational meetings with Cornell alumni for prospective students. While not a formal part of the evaluation process, these meetings can provide valuable insight for applicants.

Tips for Applicants

Cornell's testing policy is expected to be reinstated for the 2025-26 application cycle. While the university currently remains test-optional, it encourages students to submit test scores for certain schools and colleges. Applicants should also dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by Cornell, which play a crucial role in the admissions decision.

Cornell's demographics

Cornell University, a private institution founded in 1865, is located in Ithaca, New York, and offers a rural setting with a semester-based academic calendar. The total undergraduate enrollment stands at approximately 15,000 to 16,000 students, with an acceptance rate of around 7.9% to 10% for the Class of 2027. The university boasts a vibrant and diverse community, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 100 countries worldwide.

The student body consists of a mix of first-year students and transfer applicants, with approximately 3,218 first-year students enrolled in the Class of 2023. The university accommodates a wide range of academic interests, offering over 4,000 courses, nearly 80 undergraduate majors, and more than 120 minors across seven undergraduate colleges and schools. Each college or school within Cornell conducts its own admissions process and maintains its own faculty, ensuring a personalised and tailored educational experience for its students.

The two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Other notable colleges include the College of Engineering, the School of Hotel Administration, and the top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine. The university also offers a variety of graduate programs, including the highly ranked S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, the Law School, and the Weill Cornell Medical College.

Cornell's student population reflects a diverse range of backgrounds and interests. Approximately 45% of undergraduates identify as having multicultural backgrounds, and the university welcomes a significant number of international students, who make up about 10.9% of the undergraduate student body. The university also has a thriving Greek life, with over 60 fraternity and sorority chapters, and more than 1,000 student organisations catering to a broad spectrum of interests.

In addition to its academic offerings, Cornell provides a well-rounded college experience with a strong focus on extracurricular involvement. The university is home to more than 1200 student organisations, 35 NCAA Division I varsity teams, and a vibrant Greek community. The Cornell Big Red athletic teams are particularly renowned for their success in men's lacrosse and wrestling, as well as their strong ice hockey program.

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