Cornell University Acceptance Rate 2023, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition

With the recent acceptance rate at Cornell University, prospective students will need to present excellent high school grades, test scores, and a convincing application.

We all know what Cornell offers in terms of academic programs and research. A community that strives for excellence and faculty that inculcates the best experiences.

Cornell University is one of the best and most prestigious institutions in the world. A member of the famous Ivy League schools that offers decorative degree programs at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels.

Admission to Cornell University is extremely selective with a single-digit admit rate.

It’s a competition getting into Cornell University as you are one out of thousands who share the same ambition. So what could you do differently to be at an advantage?

About Cornell University

Cornell University is one of the Ivy elites located in Ithaca, New York and the year of its establishment dates back to 1865. Cornell was founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White who envisioned establishing a higher learning institution that would provide an education in all fields of study.

Cornell University’s main campus sits on 4,800 acres with over an enrollment of 25,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Schools at Cornell’s main campus include seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions. Cornell University also has a campus located in New York, Doha, and Qatar. Continuing education and summer sessions are also available at Cornell.

Cornell University Rankings

Cornel University ranks #17 in National Universities, #20 in Best Value Schools, and #8 in Business Programs according to U.S. News & World Report.

The private Ivy League research university is ranked #13 on the list of the world’s top 100 universities according to QS World University Rankings. Cornel also ranks #20 on world university rankings according to Times Higher Education.

Cornell University Acceptance Rate

The Ivy elites are famous for being among the best and most selective institutes in the world.

The acceptance rate at Cornell University was 6.9% for the class of 2026. This was after about 71,000 applications were received at Cornell and only 4,908 were accepted.

Recently, accepted 4,994 students who applied in the last admission cycle. However, Cornell did not reveal the number of applications submitted in the last admission but newly admitted students hail from the 50 states and over 85 countries.

GPA Requirement at Cornell University

With such an acceptance, Cornell University GPA average is expected to be high. In other to stand a chance of getting into Cornell, you will need a high GPA to meet the standards at the university.

Cornell University requires an average GPA of 4.07. To meet this specific GPA requirement, you will need to be at the top of your class to stand a chance of competing with thousands of applicants.

If your GPA is below Cornell’s average, you can compensate for it with a high standardized test (SAT/ACT) score.

SAT Requirement

Cornell University’s average SAT score is 1480 on the New SAT scale. Sure, Cornell University is highly competitive for standardized test scores.

Below are the statistics of the New SAT scores.

Section	Average	25^th Percentile	74^th Percentile
Math	760	720	800
Reading + Writing	720	680	760
Composite	1480	1420	1540

Also Read: What Are The 12 Ivy League Schools and Their Ranking?

ACT Requirement

Cornell University currently has no average ACT requirement. However, if you submit an ACT with a score of 32 or less, you reduce your chances of getting into Cornell.

The standard for ACT scores at Cornell University is 34.

Here is a statistics for ACT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile.

Percentile	25^th	75^th
ACT Score	32	35

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Cornell University

It’s a competition getting into Cornell, as thousands of both domestic and international applicants, apply each year to the university. If you want to become the next freshman at Cornell, these few tips will increase your chances.

#1. Apply To Cornell via Early Decision

There is an Early Decision application at Cornell University. Statistics show an acceptance rate of 21.4% for Early Decision applicants at Cornell. Rather than wait for the Regular Decision, you can increase your chance of getting into Cornell by applying via the Early Decision.

Additionally, ensure you visit the Cornell official website to stay updated on the latest information regarding application dates and deadlines.

#2. Obtain an average GPA of 4.07 While Taking Hard Courses

The average required GPA at Cornell is 4.07. If your GPA is below the average, you can take hard courses available in your school to increase your chances of competing with other applicants.

You can take up to eight or more AP classes to prove your candidacy to Cornell.

#3. Aim for Higher Standardized Test Score

To improve your chance of getting into Cornell University, you will need an SAT score of 1540 and an ACT score of 35.

Once you attain these test scores, the odds of getting admitted into Cornell are in your favour.

Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Business In New York

#4. Write an Essay

The application readers at Cornell University want to read an interesting essay about you and why you have chosen a specific field of study. Write a unique essay to convince the admission officials about your candidacy.

You should be prepared in your essay writing, as colleges at Cornell have different personal easy questions for applicants.

Cornell University Application Requirement

For a successful application to Cornell, here are the basic requirements

Application Requirements for First-Year Applicants

All first-year applicants are to follow these simple steps to apply to Cornell.

Basic Requirement

Each of the seven undergraduate colleges at Cornell has specific requirements for application. You can visit the school’s official website to check the requirements.

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

Cornell University requires that you pay a non-refundable application fee or waiver fee of $80. Your application can not be reviewed without paying the application fee.

Also Read: Cornell University Student Portal Login: studentcenter.cornell.edu

Application

You can complete and submit your application online via the Common Application.

Application Supporting Materials

Through the Common Application website, you can find, complete and submit the following forms.

School Report

Have your school counsellor or official complete and submit your school report and transcripts online.

Counsellor Recommendation

Ask your school counsellor or academic advisor to write a letter of recommendation.

Teacher Evaluation

Cornell University requires that you submit two teacher recommendations. If your teachers are sending the letter through the mail, they should include your name and date of birth on all pages of the letter.

Mid-Year Report

Cornell requires the submission of a mid-year report immediately after the application deadline. The mid-year report must be submitted online by your school counsellor to enable Cornell to evaluate your application.

Cornell Supplemental Information

All applicants must partake in the Cornell Questions and Writing Supplement (CA) which includes Cornell-specific questions and essays.

Official Transcript

Cornell University demands that you submit your official secondary school transcripts before the deadline for application. Your school should submit the transcript online or through the mail.

Standardized Test (SAT/ACT) Score

The requirement for standardized test scores has been suspended by Cornell University for all applicants from 2022 to 2024.

Interview

If you are applying to the architecture program, Cornell demands that you participate in an interview. Additionally, all applicants to the Department of Art or Urban Regional Studies are recommended to participate in an interview.

Also Read: How to get into an Ivy League School and their Acceptance Rate

Requirements for International Applicants

The acceptance rate at Cornell is quite selective, yet a large number of international applicants submit their applications to the university.

Cornell evaluates an application on the standard of the school attended, and not based on citizenship, religion, or ethnicity. All applicants are treated equally and given the same opportunity.

The application process for international applicants is the same as those of first-year applicants. However, there is a requirement for an English proficiency test for applicants who are from countries where English is not their native language.

English Language Proficiency

Cornell University requires all applicants to be fluent in the English language for easy interaction and understanding of receiving instruction. If you are from a country where the official language is not English or you graduated from an institution with instruction given in a different language, Cornell demands that you submit results from an English proficiency exam.

The required English proficiency exams include.

TOEFL
iTEP
IELTS
PTE
Duolingo English Test
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition

Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Pre Med

Cornell University Tuition and Fees

The estimated cost of attendance at Cornell University is $62,000.

Here is a holistic estimate of the cost of attendance at Cornell.

College	Per Semester	Per Year
Endowed Ithaca Architecture, Art and Planning; Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Hotel Administration	$32,602	$65,204
Contract – New York State Resident Agriculture and Life Sciences; Human Ecology; Industrial and Labor Relations	$21,944	$43,888
Contract Nonresident Agriculture and Life Sciences; Human Ecology; Industrial and Labor Relations	$32,602	$65,204

Source: https://finance.cornell.edu/bursar/students-parents/tuition-rates-fees

Is Cornell A Good School?

Cornell University is one of the Ivy elites and a household name among global institutions. The University has seven undergraduate schools and seven graduate divisions.

Cornell University is ranked 9th in offering the best undergraduate engineering program in the United States. Cornell is an institution you would yearn to attend and acquire the best experiences in academics.

Cornell University Contact Address

School Address: Ithaca, New York 14850
Phone: (607) 254-4636

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at Cornell University.

What GPA is required to get into Cornell?

The average GPA requirement at Cornell University is 4.07. If you want to increase your chances of getting into Cornell, you will need to achieve a GPA of 4.07 or above.

What is Cornell University’s acceptance rate?

Cornell University is extremely selective in its admission process with an acceptance rate of 6.9%.

Is Cornell hard to get into?

Getting onto Cornell University is very competitive. With an acceptance at 6.9%, you will need a high GPA, SAT, or ACT to get into Cornell. However, you can increase your chances of admission by applying via Early Decision.

Is Cornell University the easiest Ivy?

Yes! Cornell is the only Ivy League school without a single-digit acceptance rate.

Conclusion

Getting into any of the Ivies is extremely competitive and Cornell has shown that it’s not an exception. The founders of Cornell University had the purpose of establishing an institution that would accommodate everyone irrespective of their preferred field of study.

Today, Cornell is living up to the expectations of its founders. If you want to get that experience of attending an Ivy League, getting a good depends on it.

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References

U.S. News & World Report: Cornell University
TopUniversities: Cornell University
Times Higher Education: Cornell University
Crimsoneducation: Cornell’s Admission Stats for the Class of 2027