Gaining admission to Cornell University is a dream for many aspiring students, and with its rich history, stunning campus, and world-class programs, it’s easy to see why. As one of the prestigious Ivy League schools, Cornell attracts some of the brightest minds, making the application process highly competitive.
To stand out in this rigorous selection, applicants must present a well-rounded profile that highlights academic excellence, personal character, and a genuine passion for learning. This guide will equip you with essential insights and strategies to navigate the path to Cornell successfully.
What Cornell Looks For in Students
- Intellectual Engagement: Demonstrated commitment to challenging coursework and a strong passion for learning. Applicants should showcase how their academic experiences have prepared them for success at Cornell.
- Strong Character Traits: Personal qualities such as honesty, open-mindedness, initiative, collaboration, empathy, and curiosity are vital. Applicants should ensure their essays and recommendations highlight these attributes effectively.
- Active Involvement: Evidence of engagement in community service, extracurricular activities, work experiences, research, and leadership roles. Cornell seeks to understand how applicants have utilized their time outside the classroom and what unique talents or commitments they bring.
- Motivation for Choosing Cornell: Clear articulation of how applicants plan to leverage Cornell’s exceptional educational opportunities. They should express why the university aligns with their personal and academic goals.
- Fit with Specific Programs: Insight into why applicants are interested in particular colleges or schools within Cornell. Demonstrating a good match between personal academic interests and the offerings of the chosen program is essential.
With these in mind, here are:
Video: Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions Info Session Part 3: Admission, Financial Aid, Outcomes
8 Tips to Get into Cornell
Cornell's admissions process is competitive, and standing out requires a combination of academic excellence, thoughtful preparation, and strategic focus. Below are some essential tips to increase your chances of being admitted to this prestigious institution:
Video: how I struggled at Cornell University (+ tips college students MUST know!)
1. Near Perfect GPA
Cornell prioritizes students who have demonstrated consistent academic excellence. You’ll need a GPA that’s well above average, typically around 3.9 or higher. Focus on excelling in core subjects like math, science, and language arts, especially in advanced placement (AP) or honors classes. Taking challenging courses shows Cornell that you're prepared for their rigorous curriculum.
Beyond GPA, admissions officers look for upward trends or consistent high performance. If there are any dips in your grades, be prepared to explain them constructively in your application.
Colleges appreciate students who have faced challenges and shown resilience, so if your academic journey has had ups and downs, use that as an opportunity to showcase how you’ve grown.
2. High SAT and ACT Scores
To increase your chances of admission to Cornell, achieving high standardized test scores is crucial. The SAT and ACT are essential components of the admissions process, providing a standardized measure of your academic ability.
Competitive applicants often score in the top percentile, with SAT scores ranging between 1480-1560 and ACT scores typically between 32-35. These numbers demonstrate that you're not only prepared for Cornell's rigorous academics but also able to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
If your test scores or GPA have been impacted by personal challenges or life experiences, consider explaining these circumstances in your application’s additional information section.
3. Take High School Classes that Align with College Course Requirements
To improve your chances of getting into Cornell, it’s important to take high school classes that align with the academic requirements of the specific college you're applying to. Cornell's colleges have different expectations, so your coursework should reflect the focus of your intended major.
For example, if you plan to apply to the College of Arts and Sciences, you'll need four units of English, three units each of math, science, and one foreign language. These foundational subjects demonstrate that you're ready for Cornell's liberal arts curriculum and rigorous academic standards.
If you’re aiming for the College of Engineering, your high school coursework should be even more focused on STEM subjects. Cornell expects at least 16 total units, with four in math, including calculus, and one unit each in physics and chemistry.
Additional recommended classes include computer science and a foreign language, which provide a solid foundation for the problem-solving and analytical skills you'll need in an engineering program.
Regardless of the college you're applying to, Cornell values a rigorous high school curriculum. Taking Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in subjects relevant to your field of interest will show admissions that you’re capable of handling the challenges of college-level work.
If certain courses weren't available at your school, be sure to explain the circumstances in your application, so Cornell understands your academic choices within the context of your school's offerings.
4. Craft a Standout Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your opportunity to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Aim to tell a unique story that reflects your passions, challenges you’ve overcome, and the goals you aim to achieve. Be authentic and specific about why Cornell’s offerings align with your academic and personal aspirations.
It’s crucial to focus on your voice. Avoid clichés like “I want to change the world,” and instead, provide concrete examples from your life that show how you’ve already taken steps toward your goals. For example, if you’re interested in environmental science, maybe you started a recycling initiative at your school.
Demonstrating a clear understanding of Cornell’s programs, such as their public engagement focus or research opportunities, and how they fit into your future ambitions will make your essay stand out among the many others.
5. Excel in Extracurricular Activities
While academics are crucial, Cornell also values students who are involved in their communities and exhibit leadership. Make sure your extracurricular activities reflect your interests and demonstrate commitment. Whether you’re leading a club, playing varsity sports, or volunteering, these activities highlight your ability to balance various responsibilities while making a positive impact.
Admissions officers are looking for depth, not breadth. Rather than being involved in many different activities, focus on a few that genuinely matter to you and show leadership or initiative. Cornell appreciates applicants who have made tangible contributions to their communities or schools, whether through organizing events, spearheading new initiatives, or mentoring others.
Volunteering at a local charity or creating a program to support underprivileged students can show that you’re invested in making a real difference, aligning with Cornell’s mission of public engagement.
6. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are vital in helping Cornell assess your character and academic potential. Choose teachers or mentors who know you well and can speak to your specific strengths, work ethic, and personal qualities. Ideally, these should come from instructors who’ve taught you in challenging courses and can highlight your growth and achievements.
Make sure to give your recommenders ample time to write thoughtful letters. A rushed letter will often lack the personal touch that makes recommendations stand out. You can help your recommenders by providing them with a “brag sheet” outlining your achievements, projects, and academic goals, giving them a clear picture of your strengths. A detailed, personalized recommendation can offer admissions officers insights into qualities that don’t show up in transcripts—such as resilience, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity.
7. Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses is not a requirement for admission to Cornell, but they are highly recommended to demonstrate your academic rigor and ability to handle challenging material. AP courses allow you to engage with college-level coursework while still in high school, showing the admissions team that you are prepared for the academic challenges you will face at Cornell.
Excelling in these courses and performing well on the AP exams will further highlight your readiness for Cornell’s rigorous academic environment. By taking AP courses, you can also potentially earn college credit, which might allow you to bypass some introductory-level courses once you arrive on campus.
Choosing AP courses that align with your intended major or field of interest is a great way to enhance your application. For instance, if you’re applying to a STEM-focused program, taking AP Calculus or AP Physics demonstrates your commitment and proficiency in relevant subjects. Similarly, for students interested in the humanities, courses such as AP English Literature or AP U.S. History are strong choices.
Scoring well on AP exams, ideally a 4 or 5, further reinforces your academic strengths and shows Cornell that you can thrive in a challenging academic setting.
8. Participation in Enrichment Programs
Participation in enrichment programs, especially those connected to Cornell’s Ithaca campus, is a great way to strengthen your application. These programs offer students the opportunity to engage in immersive learning experiences and explore potential academic interests in greater depth.
Attending Cornell-specific programs, such as Cornell University Summer College, not only exposes you to the academic environment at Cornell but also demonstrates your genuine interest in the institution. This proactive involvement can set you apart from other applicants by showing that you have taken concrete steps to become more familiar with Cornell’s culture, faculty, and academic offerings.
In addition to showcasing your academic dedication, these programs allow you to build valuable connections with faculty and current students. This firsthand experience will provide you with insights that can enrich your personal statement or supplemental essays.
Mentioning your participation in these programs in your application can illustrate your enthusiasm for becoming part of the Cornell community, as well as how the experience has shaped your academic goals and desire to attend the university.
9. Prepare for the Cornell Interview (Optional)
If you’re selected for an interview, it’s a great opportunity to further distinguish yourself. Be ready to discuss your academic interests and why Cornell is your top choice. The interview is also a chance to show your personality and how you can contribute to the Cornell community.
Prepare by researching Cornell’s programs and thinking about how they align with your career goals. You can mention specific professors whose work inspires you, research initiatives you’d like to join, or student organizations you want to participate in. Practice answering common interview questions, but don’t sound overly rehearsed—admissions officers appreciate authenticity.
Be prepared to discuss a recent project, your leadership roles, or how you’ve overcome challenges. The key is to be passionate, articulate, and enthusiastic about your future at Cornell.
How Hard is it to Get into Cornell?
Cornell University is one of the most competitive Ivy League schools, with an overall acceptance rate of 7.3%. This means that fewer than 1 in 10 applicants are accepted, making it extremely difficult to gain admission. To put this in perspective, in the 2023 admissions cycle, Cornell received 71,164 applications and accepted only 5,168 students.
Most admitted students have top-notch academic records. A high GPA (3.8-4.0) is almost a requirement, alongside standardized test scores (if submitted) in the upper percentiles—SAT scores between 1470 and 1550 or ACT scores between 33 and 35. Beyond academics, students also need standout essays, robust extracurricular involvement, and a personal statement that shows a compelling fit with Cornell’s values.
Cornell Application Deadlines and Early Decision Policy
Cornell offers both Early Decision and Regular Decision application processes, with important deadlines and policies:
- Early Decision (ED): November 1 (application deadline)
- ED is binding, meaning if you’re accepted, you must withdraw applications from all other schools. It’s ideal for students who are certain that Cornell is their top choice.
- Benefits: Early decision applicants tend to have higher acceptance rates compared to regular decisions.
- Supporting documents must be submitted by November 15, and decisions are released in mid-December.
- Regular Decision: January 2 (application deadline)
- This is the standard application process. Students submit their materials by January 2 and can apply to multiple schools.
- Supporting documents must also be submitted by January 2, with decisions released in early April.
Note: Cornell’s transfer application deadline is March 15, with decisions typically released by late May.
What GPA Do You Need to Get into Cornell University?
According to Cornell’s statistics, more than 83% of students who were accepted to the school graduated in the top decile of their high school classes. Because of Cornell’s esteemed stature, you will need to maintain a near-perfect GPA and average As in all of your classes, even though official GPAs are not released.
The best way to get an idea of what Cornell University looks for in its students is to take a look at the average GPA of those the school has already accepted. The average unweighted GPA for students who get into Cornell is around 4.07 (high schools that offer AP courses use a 5.0 GPA scale instead of a 4.0 scale).
This means that you must take AP, honors, and IB courses during your high school career whenever they are available to you.
If your school doesn’t offer AP or IB courses, strive to attain a 3.9 to 4.0 GPA.
There’s another important reason for you to take as many upper-level courses as possible during high school other than for the extra bump in your GPA. Cornell admissions officers are looking for students who don’t shy away from a challenge, and they want to see if you are ready for college-level coursework.
To show that you are ready, make sure to take advanced courses when they are available. Cornell wants students who don’t “take the easy way” just because they can.
Cornell Application Help: What ACT and SAT Scores Are Required for Admission?
Cornell University has extended its test-optional and score-free policies for first-year applicants for the fall of 2023 and fall of 2024. Typically, however, the school operates on a test-required policy, so usually, scores from SAT and ACT testing must be included in admissions applications.
Freshman applicants can submit their scores from either the ACT or the SAT exams; Cornell has no preference for one over the other. Cornell also reports that it does not use any solid score cutoffs; however, it will still help you to get the highest score you can on whichever test you take.
While each test includes various topics that should be covered during your freshman and sophomore years of high school, there are some differences between them, such as the number of sections and the timing for the tests.
Students who enjoy math more often prefer the ACT while those who enjoy English and writing more tend to gravitate toward taking the SAT. However, the choice is completely yours.
It’s highly recommended that you take the standardized test of your choice (or both) several times. You can submit to Cornell all of the scores you attain on different test dates, and the university will superscore your tests to combine the highest scores.
With that being said, regardless of whether test scores are currently required, three of Cornell’s undergraduate colleges don’t use test scores for their admission process. These three are:
- The School of Architecture, Art, and Planning
- The School of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
The other five schools — Cornell Engineering, Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, the College of Human Ecology, The College of Arts & Sciences, and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) — do use test scores when the university is not using a test-optional policy.
It should be noted that SAT subject tests are not expected or required for admission, and neither are the SAT or ACT essay sections (the SAT essay was discontinued in 2021).
Cornell’s Average Test Scores
For test scores that are submitted, Cornell’s 75th percentile SAT score is 1530 and the 25th percentile SAT score is 1490. The single average score is 1510. The average ACT score for accepted students is 34, with the 25th and 75th percentile scores at 32 and 35, respectively.
While the admission process no longer requires standardized examinations for admission beginning with the class of 2025, the university states that while the decision may be temporary, no plans have been announced to reintroduce standardized testing score requirements.
What High School Classes Should You Take?
There is not a single set of required high school courses that Cornell stipulates should be taken. Instead, the curriculum you take should vary depending on which school at Cornell you plan on entering. For example, Cornell requires the following courses if you want to work toward an engineering degree:
- A total of 16 units at minimum
- Four units for math
- One unit in chemistry
- One unit in physics
It’s recommended that applicants who are interested in engineering take computer science and a foreign language as well.
If you plan to join the Arts and Sciences college, Cornell recommends (but does not require) that you take high school classes that include:
- Three units of science
- Four units of English
- Three units of math
- Three units of one foreign language
If you fail to take a required course in high school, admissions may ask you to provide a letter describing the reason for the omission. Remember to take a rigorous course load during high school; your classes should become more challenging with each passing year.
How to Get Accepted into Cornell: Should You Choose AP Courses?
It’s not a requirement to take AP courses during high school; however, students who complete advanced placement exams must provide their scores. Some schools without AP or IB courses offer dual enrollment courses in partnership with a local university.
These classes allow some students to earn college credit while they attend high school. It’s important that you know that Cornell doesn’t give students credit for these types of courses.
However, it can still be beneficial for you to take them if they are available because it demonstrates to Cornell that you are prepared for higher-level coursework. Students can also earn credit in subjects through departmental exams. Dual enrollment courses may help you prepare for these.
Video: AP Courses & AP Exams: Cornell Notes Tutorial
Credit for Advanced Placement in the Cornell Curriculum
The university accepts some AP credits, but the credit you receive depends on the scores you receive and which tests you take. According to Cornell, AP credit can be earned from the following:
- Acceptable performance on a Cornell department exam
- The requisite score from the AP exams from the CEEB
- A regular course taught at an accredited college and approved by Cornell
- International examinations
To report your scores, you should have them sent directly to Cornell with the university’s CEEB code (2098). Not all AP exams provide the opportunity for Cornell credit.
How to Get into Cornell: What Extracurricular Activities Should You Do?
Cornell considers your involvement in activities outside of the classroom during high school to be very important. Many students mistakenly believe that the more activities they are active in, the better their chances are of making a good impression on the admissions staff.
The truth is that the quality of the activities you participate in is far more important than the number of activities. Cornell explains that it wants to see how you have been involved in your community, your job, and in leadership roles.
Choose a couple of organizations that appeal to your talents and interests and focus on being actively and heavily engaged with those.
Your Essay (Personal Statement) for Cornell
Cornell University requires you to submit essays and questions with your application. Different colleges within Cornell will ask different questions and provide different prompts. If you use the Common Application, you must explain in 650 words or fewer why you want to attend the college you chose.
When writing your essay, make sure you write with purpose! Cornell does expect students to take the time to learn about the college to which they are applying. Take care to cultivate a thoughtful, purposeful response that shows your knowledge about your college.
Your response should not repeat information about academic achievements that have already been included in other areas of the application. Instead, it should include information about who you are as a person.
Write about topics that are valuable to you and include some information on how you decided that your specific college was the best one for you.
Make sure to mention why you are an excellent fit for Cornell and why the admission staff should choose you to join the next incoming class. Bring your application alive through your essay and demonstrate what you can bring to the campus community.
Final Thoughts: How to Get into Cornell University
To get into Cornell University, you’ll need more than just top grades. The admissions committee is looking for students who not only excel academically but also align with Cornell’s mission to make a positive impact in the world. Focus on maintaining a high GPA, scoring well on standardized tests (if you choose to submit them), and building strong extracurriculars that showcase leadership and commitment.
Your personal statement and essays are vital to standing out. Make sure to connect your experiences and values with Cornell’s offerings, demonstrating why you are a great fit. If you’re applying early, you increase your chances of acceptance, but it’s a binding commitment, so make sure Cornell is where you truly want to be.
In short, holistic excellence—from academics to extracurriculars to personal fit—will be your key to standing out in Cornell’s competitive admissions process.
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Additional Resources
- Make sure to check out the Top 25 Colleges and Universities that Accept a 3.4 GPA to see how your GPA matches up with Cornell's expectations.
- If you're wondering how your SAT scores compare, you can find Average SAT Scores by State for 2024 to gauge where you stand.
- Need help with your college application? College Application Help: 15 Tips to Help You Succeed for essential guidance.
