Decoding Cornell: Understanding ACT Score Requirements for Admission

Cornell University, renowned for its rigorous academic environment and diverse student body, attracts a large number of applicants each year. As a highly selective institution, Cornell has specific expectations for standardized test scores, including the ACT. This article provides a detailed overview of Cornell's ACT score requirements, offering valuable insights for prospective students.

The Importance of ACT Scores in Cornell Admissions

Cornell University considers all applicants holistically, which means all elements of an application are reviewed. After a multi-year study conducted by the university’s Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions, Cornell has reinstituted standardized testing requirements for first-year students seeking undergraduate admission. Data showed that when reviewed in context with other application materials-such as GPA, academic rigor, extracurricular engagement, essays, and letters of recommendation-test scores help to create a more complete picture of an individual applicant. Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in.

Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

Understanding Cornell's ACT Score Range

Reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, Cornell’s average composite ACT score is around 34, out of a possible 36 points. This is notably higher than the national average of approximately 19.5. The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35. In other words, a 33 places you below average, while a 35 will move you up to above average. Half the applicants admitted to Cornell University who submitted test scores have an ACT score of 33 and 35. However, one quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one quarter scored below these ranges.

25th Percentile: 33
Average: 34
75th Percentile: 35

These ranges reflect what most admitted students scored, but many are outside these ranges. To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher.

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Section Score Insights

The average ACT English score at Cornell ranges between 34 and 36, with the 25th and 75th percentiles falling at the ends of this range. The average ACT Math score at Cornell falls between the 25th and 75th percentiles of 32 and 35. Therefore, an ACT Math score of 34 would place you in the middle 50% of scorers at Cornell. While these scores are slightly lower than the English section scores, they are still quite high.

Cornell's ACT Submission Policies

Effective for students applying for Fall 2026 or beyond, first-year applicants to all undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores. Cornell has updated their testing policies to require first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT exam scores. Applicants are welcome to self-report their ACT scores on their applications. However, those who are admitted and plan to enroll are required to submit official score records. Students can self-report their scores in their application, matriculating students will be required to provide official scores upon enrolling at Cornell.

Students should self-report their SAT or ACT test scores on their Common Application or QuestBridge application. Cornell University requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students can self-report unofficial test scores to Cornell on their application.

The SAT/ACT Scores Must Be Received By January 2. Exams should be completed before the application deadline you are applying under. For Regular Decision, the latest test dates would occur in December.

Superscoring: Maximizing Your ACT Score

Cornell superscores the ACT, so applicants’ results will be combined to highlight their highest subsections. For the ACT, Cornell can consider the ACT-provided superscore and your highest section scores across all dates.

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Superscoring is powerful to your testing strategy, and you need to make sure you plan your testing accordingly. Even though the highest ACT composite you scored on any one test date was 20, Cornell will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Cornell forms your Superscore, you can take the ACT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Therefore, if your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the ACT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can.

ACT Writing Section

Cornell considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. Cornell does not require the ACT writing section.

Overcoming a Low ACT Score

Getting into Cornell with a low ACT score is challenging, but not impossible. An ACT score in the lower quartile is still quite high. In addition, strong academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and well-written supplemental essays may compensate for a lower ACT score. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.18, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

The application deadline at Cornell University is Jan. 2. The Early Decision Deadline is Nov. 1.

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Here’s a simplified overview of the application requirements:

High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Required
College Prep Courses: Neither required nor recommended
SAT/ACT Scores: Considered if submitted
Recommendations: Required
Application Deadline: Stay on top of your goals!

Preparing for the ACT

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program. PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses. We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts. PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program.

If your ACT score is currently below a 35, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can.

Additional Factors in Cornell Admissions

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances.

Requirements by College

When you apply to Cornell University, you'll choose just the undergraduate college or school within the university that is the best fit for your interests and talents. While there are general recommendations and requirements for students applying to our university, each college and school has their own unique recommendations and requirements as listed below.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (pre-calculus required), and 3 of science (biology and chemistry required, physics strongly recommended*). A fourth unit of science is also strongly recommended. Be sure to review the admissions requirements for each major. For more information, review the standardized testing policy.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement. The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and ManagementSee Business requirements

Standardized Testing Requirements:

All first-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores fall 2026 and beyond. For more information, review the standardized testing policy.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement.

College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:

All departments: 4 of English, 3 years of foreign language, 3 of math, and 3 of science

Architecture: requires 4 years of math

Special Requirements:

Architecture Portfolio and video interview required; must be submitted via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal

View the Architecture portfolio and video interview requirements

Art

Portfolio required; submit via Cornell AAP SlideRoom portal

View the Art portfolio requirements

Recommended additional preparation:

4 years of foreign language

Architecture: Calculus and Physics

Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement

Participation in activities related to student’s choice of major in Architecture, Art, and Planning

Standardized Testing Requirements:

All first-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores fall 2026 and beyond. For more information, review the standardized testing policy.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement.

College of Arts and Sciences

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements & Recommendations:

16 units, including 4 of English, 3 of mathematics (including pre-calculus), 3 of science, and 3 units of one foreign language (for heritage speakers or students who have initiated a foreign language sequence before high school, completion of at least the third level (e.g. Spanish 3)).

Recommended additional preparation:

An additional unit of advanced mathematics and science

Applicants are encouraged to explore virtual visit options

Interviews are not offered