Navigating the Cornell University Application Process: A Comprehensive Guide

Cornell University, an esteemed Ivy League institution founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, is located in Ithaca, New York. As one of the top universities in the United States and the world, gaining admission to Cornell is a competitive endeavor. This guide provides an overview of Cornell University, what it looks for in its students, and a breakdown of the application requirements. As per the "2021 US news ranking", Cornell is the 18th best University in the USA. As per the "2021 QS World University Ranking," Cornell is the World's 18th best University.

Cornell University Overview

Cornell University is renowned for its extensive course offerings and its exceptional library system. The tuition fee for admitted students at Cornell is $59,316 (2020-21). The total enrollment in the school is 24,027. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, Cornell provides personalized attention to its students; 56.3% of classes in Cornell consist of fewer than 20 students. The university boasts a distinguished alumni network, including notable figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ratan Tata, Anthony Fauci, and Barbara McClintock.

What Cornell Looks for in a Student

Before applying, it's crucial to understand what Cornell seeks in its applicants. The university looks beyond academic achievements, considering a range of qualities and experiences.

Intellectual Potential: Cornell seeks students who have challenged themselves with rigorous coursework and demonstrated a passion for learning. The university wants to see if you're the student who has the potential to grow and nurture your intellect.
Character: Cornell values empathy, initiative, honesty, and open-mindedness. The admissions committee assesses whether your recommendations and essays reflect these attributes. In a way, they want to see a character that evokes the values they describe that reflect yours well.
Involvement: Cornell is interested in how you spend your time outside of school, including your extracurricular activities and the skills or interests you've developed. With this, they want to see a uniqueness in you that few students have at all.
Reasons for Choosing Them: Cornell wants to understand why you are applying to their institution and how you plan to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. They want to know why you choose to apply to them, why you think it's the right place for you.

Diversity and Opportunity at Cornell

Cornell prides itself on its diverse student body, encompassing individuals from various backgrounds and with a wide range of interests. Winemakers, hotel managers, landscape architects, policymakers, interior designers, financiers, astronomers, and fiber experts actively pursue their passions at Cornell. The university offers almost limitless opportunities both on and off-campus. Those interested in government or policy can explore the Cornell in Washington program or the Capital Semester program. Aspiring filmmakers can participate in Cornell in Hollywood. Students interested in tech can explore Cornell Silicon Valley and Cornell NYC Tech. For those with a passion for marine biology, Cornell's Shoals Marine Lab off the coast of Maine provides a unique experience. Architecture enthusiasts can take advantage of Cornell in Rome.

On-campus, students can engage in a multitude of activities, from working on a racecar with Cornell Racing to joining media organizations like The Cornell Daily Sun. Scientists can join the Entomology Club or the Herpetological Society. Musicians can join the pep band, play the chimes, or join CU Winds, and business-oriented people can select from 4-5 business frats and countless finance clubs. Moreover, numerous clubs and organizations cater to specific ethnicities, religions, and nationalities, such as Cornell Hillel and the Cornell Filipino Association.

Read also: Immersive Pre-College Experience

Academically, Cornell's "any person, any study" ethos is reflected in its offering of over 4,000 courses across seven undergraduate colleges. Students can explore subjects ranging from Casino Operations to Beer, Human-Environment Relations to the Ethics of Eating, and Korean to iPhone App Development. Physical Education classes range from Juggling to Tree Climbing, SCUBA to Birding, and Thai Massage to Handgun Safety.

Standardized Test Score Requirements

SAT Score Requirements

Cornell University is a competitive college considering scores requirements. The SAT 25th percentile score of this college is 1400. It means only less than 25% of Cornell students scores below 1400. The SAT 75th percentile score of Cornell is 1560. It means around 75% of admitted students have scored less than 1560. The average (50th Percentile) SAT score of Cornell we could find is 1480.

For Math, the 25th percentile score is 720, and the 75th percentile score is 800. For EBRW, the 25th percentile score is 680, and the 75th percentile score is 760. If you think you are weak in one section, try to score higher than required in the other section.

Cornell University has a "highest section" SAT score policy, also known as "Superscoring." This means that the college will consider your highest section SAT score from all tests. It gives you a chance to raise your score.

ACT Score Requirements

The composite 25th percentile score of Cornell is 32, and the 75th percentile score is 35. Cornell doesn't have any minimum score requirements. However, less score than given will make conditions difficult for you to get admitted. To get the intended composite score, you need to score around what you intended in every section.

Read also: Cornell University Semester Guide

GPA Requirements

You need a very high GPA for getting admitted to Cornell. The average GPA for Cornell is 3.9 on a scale of 4. You need a high school grade of "A" to get this much GPA.

Cornell Application Requirements

Cornell uses the Common Application for application submission. While applying, you will choose only one format for all required material. With all the standard information required for each college in your list, you also need to answer questions and provide an essay. Both these are necessary while applying to Cornell. Both these help Cornell to match your academic goals with the Cornell college, which you applied.

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

While submitting the common application, you also need to submit $85 application fees. Cornell will not process your application without the application fee. You can use the fee waiver guideline of the application portal to check your eligibility in fee waivers. If you think that your financial condition could meet the guidelines, you can request a fee waiver.

Application Supporting Materials

Also, with the application, you need to submit the following forms:

The School Report and official transcript: The counselor or other designated school officer must submit a school report and official transcript.
Counselor Recommendation: Cornell University needs a written statement from a guidance counselor or college advisor.
Teacher Evaluations: You need to submit a recommendation from two teachers. Cornell's recommendation is to submit the report online; it will help to process the application faster. You do not need to submit it if you don't have it at the time of submission.

Interviews

If you are applying for an architecture program, It's required to participate in the interview. If you apply for Urban and Regional Studies or the Department of Art, Cornell recommends you to attend an interview but not required. There is no interview for applicants who apply for other courses.

Read also: Architecture of Donlon Hall

Additional Requirements

For majors like art and architecture, you need portfolios, additional documents, designed indexes. To know course requirements individually, go to admissions.cornell.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/college-and-school-admissions-requirements.

Application Deadlines

Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 2

Cornell Selection Process

Cornell strives to maintain a fair and balanced selection process. The admissions staff first reviews a student's academic performance, including scores, grades, and other factors that contribute to their overall rating. Students who pass the first review are then evaluated based on extracurricular activities, experiences, and other factors that indicate their fit for Cornell. The admissions committee also considers the student's background and personal qualities. It's a rigorous process, so it's not easy to pick who applicants.

Cornell University Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of Cornell is 8.4%. This means, in every 100 candidates, only 8-9 get accepted. The early application acceptance rate for the class of 2021 of Cornell is 22.6%. So as we see, the early applicant's percentage chosen is high compared to regular decision. Every year, both these acceptance rates are declining.

What If Not Accepted?

If you are not accepted to Cornell, there are alternative options to consider:

Attend a different college and transfer to Cornell later: You can apply for a different college and transferring to Cornell later. The transfer acceptance rate of 2019 is 17.09%.
Apply again after going through a gap year: Another way to gain admission into Cornell is to apply again after you've gone through one year gap.

Cornell College Application

Whether you choose to apply directly with Cornell's online application or add us to your Common Application, there is no fee to apply to Cornell College. The same is true for our all of our scholarship programs. You will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship with your application.

Test-Optional Policy

Cornell is a âTest Optionalâ school, meaning it does not require standardized test scores, but will consider them if submitted. Itâs up to you whether to submit your scores or not.

Demonstrating Fit with Cornell

The biggest thing Cornell focuses on is how a student and the school fit togetherâtheyâve directly stated that that is what drives their selection process. You need to show how you and the school will make a great team. Start by exploring Cornellâs mission and values, both through its mission statement and through what it outlines in its discussion of its core values. Notice, for example, how often the focus is on education and public engagement: Cornell wants to work with students who want to apply their knowledge to benefit society, and who want to âpromote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell communityâHow do you see yourself aligning with this mission and these values? What parts of your story demonstrate that you have already worked toward these things, and that Cornell is the place for you to take your next steps? How will you and the Cornell community make great partners in trying to benefit society?

How else can you demonstrate that you and Cornell fit together? Think about your answers to these questions:

How have you collaborated with others in the past, and how can you help Cornell admissions readers see that?
Where have you taken initiative in your education, and how will you continue to do so?
Where have you taken risks and learned resilience?
Where and how have you explored your creativity?
How and why do you value community?

Cornell Writing Supplement

Before submitting your Cornell Common Application, you will also need to write and submit your Cornell First-Year Writing Supplement. Each college and school at Cornell has a different supplement.

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