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Cornell University

Overview

Cornell University

Given the stellar reputation of this historic university and the natural beauty of the area in which it resides, it’s little wonder that Cornell University received more than 68,000 applications in 2023. Of those, just 4,994 were accepted, meaning Cornell University typically has an acceptance rate of just 7%. US News & World Report ranks Cornell #12 among national universities. It was also ranked #11 by the World University Ranking in 2022 and ranked #20 in the world by the Times Higher Education World Rankings.

Additionally, Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York, a college town that is known for its stunning waterfalls, spectacular gorges, and breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake. Ithaca is the southern gateway to the Finger Lakes recreational area and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Downtown Ithaca has abundant restaurants, cafés, and dining establishments. It is consistently ranked as a top area in which to live, work, and attend school.

Spark Admissions’ college consulting results are 8X the national average for Ivy League admissions and 6X the national average for many top 50 colleges.

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Cornell University Academics

As one of the best colleges in the United States, Cornell is most well-known for engineering, biology, agriculture, architecture, and hospitality programs. Cornell is also a top engineering school among the Ivy League and is one of the best in the nation.

The student/faculty ratio at Cornell University is 9:1 and 67% of classes have 30 students or fewer.

Cornell University Undergraduate Colleges

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • SC Johnson College of Business
  • College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • College of Human Ecology
  • College of Engineering
  • School of Industrial and Labor Relations
  • Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science

Cornell University Popular Majors

  • Computer Science
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Engineering (various disciplines)
  • Hotel Administration
  • Psychology

Cornell University Notable or Distinct Majors:

  • Agricultural Studies
  • Animal Science
  • Applied Economics and Management
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Biology & Society
  • Global & Public Health Sciences
  • Human Biology, Health and Society
  • Science and Technology Studies

Unique Academic Opportunities at Cornell

  • Students can apply for Summer Experience Grants, which provide funding for students to pursue career-related summer opportunities such as unpaid internships.
  • Multiple cohort-based scholarship and fellowship programs are available, such as the Humanities Scholars Program, Robert S. Harrison College Scholar Program, Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, and the Posse Program.
  • The Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) is a team of students dedicated to identifying and promoting research opportunities for fellow undergraduates.
  • High-achieving students can pursue the Concurrent Degree Option, which allows undergraduates to earn a BA/BFA along with a BS in just five years.

Cornell Admissions

Cornell Application Details:

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  • Cornell currently does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores. According to U.S. News, the 75th percentile SAT score among admitted students was 1570 in 2023, and the 75th percentile composite ACT score was 35. Even though a school is listed as test-optional, providing impressive test scores will always be an asset to your college application.
  • The Common Application is accepted at Cornell.
  • Admissions interviews are only offered to applicants to the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Students can request to meet informally with a member of the alumni network for a non-evaluative conversation.
  • A personal statement or personal essay is part of the Common App.
  • Cornell typically requires two supplemental essays within the Common App, and more may be required for certain majors (e.g., engineering).
  • High school students must submit a counselor recommendation, mid-year report, and school report.
  • First-year applicants must submit two teacher recommendations with their application.

Cornell’s Application Deadlines:

Early Decision
Nov 1
Regular Decision
Jan 2
Fall Transfer
Mar 15

Cornell University Class Profile

Demographics (2023-2024):

  • Asian students: 23%
  • Black students: 7%
  • Hispanic students: 15%
  • White students: 33%
  • International students: 10%
  • First-generation college students: 13.4%
  • 55% women; 45% men

Life at Cornell

Over 15,000 students call Cornell their home, so they boast over 1,000 student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance student life. As one of the few private land-grant universities in the US, Cornell emphasizes public service and community engagement.

About Ithaca, NY

Cornell is located in scenic Ithaca, New York, a rural city that is known for its natural setting. The university offers a shuttle bus to downtown Ithaca and nearby Collegetown, areas where students can easily access shopping, restaurants, and other amenities.

  • Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Cornell’s natural setting, which is close to nearby attractions such as the Cornell Botanic Gardens, Cascadilla Gorge Trail, Robert H. Treman State Park, and Taughannock Falls. Additionally, nearby Cayuga Lake offers opportunities for boating, swimming, and outdoor picnics.
  • Students also frequent Ithaca Commons, a pedestrian mall with shopping, restaurants, and entertaining street performers. Local produce and artisan goods can also be found in the waterfront atmosphere of the Ithaca Farmers Market.

Cornell University Social Activities

  • About 33% of undergrads are involved in the campus’s 50 sororities/fraternities.
  • Many students play intramural sports, especially soccer, flag football, and volleyball.
  • The men’s ice hockey is a popular NCAA sport on campus.
  • Dozens of music and a cappella groups support musicians and audiences alike.

Cornell University Traditions

  • Cornell Chimes: Twenty-one bells located in the Historic McGraw Tower ring out across campus three times each day when class is in session. Student and alumni “chimemasters” have played these concerts since 1868.
  • Big Red Bear: While not the official mascot, Big Red Bear is an homage to Cornell’s first biology professor who brought his real brown bear cub, named Touchdown, to university football games.
  • Dragon Day: This celebration takes place the Friday before spring break. First-year architecture students build a large dragon that they then march through the Engineering Quad and on to the Arts Quad. At the end of the parade, they symbolically “slay” the dragon.
  • Slope Day: A celebration of the end of spring classes in which students attend a concert and enjoy food on Libe Slope.

Cornell Housing and Dorms

First and second-year students are required to live on-campus and purchase a meal plan. Several special dorm opportunities are available:

  • First- and second-year residence halls are located in the North Campus neighborhood, which facilitates multiple social opportunities.
  • Program Houses, or affinity dorms, are focused on different themes, so that students can live among peers with shared interests (e.g., Latino living Center, Language House, Just About Music). Co-op housing is also available.
  • The five West Campus Houses are reserved for upperclassmen, and each House features a dining hall and a Cornell professor supervisor, who lives in the House with their own family. Additional upperclassmen options are also available.
  • Upperclassmen who wish to live off-campus can take advantage of university-affiliated housing.
    Single rooms are available.

University of Cornell Cost of Attendance

This estimate takes into account tuition and fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, and personal expenses for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Out of State

$88,150 total for endowed colleges and state contract colleges for non-NY state residents.

In-State

$66,834 total for state contract colleges for NY State Residents

There are multiple opportunities to receive financial aid assistance including grants, work study programs, loans, and outside scholarships.

Get Into Cornell with Spark Admissions

Applying to a prestigious school like Cornell can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Now that you know more about Cornell’s environment, admissions requirements, and acceptance rates, if you are interested in earning admission, you may want assistance in preparing your high school resume and background for the college application process. Working alongside a college admissions consultant can greatly improve your chances of admission to such a selective school. Don’t let Cornell’s admissions statistics intimidate you! Contact us for a free initial consultation.

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