Learn how to gain admission to Cornell University with expert insights on its acceptance rate, academic expectations, and what Cornell looks for in top applicants.
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Cornell University’s acceptance rate was 8.41% for the 2024-2025 application cycle. According to the Common Data Set (CDS), 65,612 students applied to Cornell for the 2024–2025 cycle, and the university admitted about 5,516 of them.
Here is a closer look at Cornell’s admissions data over the past five years, as shared in the CDS, standardized college reports on admissions details and data:
| Year | Number of Applicants | Number of Accepted Students | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 65,612 | 5,516 | 8.41% |
| 2023-2024 | 67,846 | 5,358 | 7.90% |
| 2022-2023 | 71,164 | 5,168 | 7.26% |
| 2021-2022 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.68% |
| 2020-2021 | 51,500 | 5,514 | 10.71% |
Cornell University’s Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate is 11.64%. As reported in the CDS, Cornell admitted 1,161 students from 9,973 ED in the 2024-2025 application cycle.
While this ED acceptance rate of 11.64% appears higher than the 8.41% regular admission rate, it does not guarantee better admission chances. Indeed, 88.4% of Cornell’s ED applicants are still rejected.
You should only apply ED if your application is already strong, you have a high GPA, and you don’t believe more time would improve your application.
It is very challenging to get into Cornell University. Since Cornell’s acceptance rate is 8.41%, 91.59% of applicants get rejected. To put it in perspective, Cornell could fill its entire incoming class more than 17 times over with students it rejected.
You can try our interactive quiz to better understand how likely you are to gain admission to Cornell.
Cornell University’s average GPA is approximately 3.9. While Cornell does not release information on its entering class’ GPAs, students typically have GPAs around 3.7-4.0. Students should aim for a GPA of around 4.0 to be considered competitive.
Cornell University’s median SAT score in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle was 1540. The CDS reports that students admitted during Cornell’s 2024-2025 admissions cycle had a middle 50% SAT score range of 1510 to 1560. To be considered a competitive applicant, you should aim for a 1545 or higher.
Cornell University’s median ACT score in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle was 34. Students admitted during Cornell’s 2024-2025 admissions cycle had a middle 50% score range of 33 to 35.
The CDS reports that fewer than 15% of the 2024 class submitted ACT scores, highlighting that submitting ACT scores is uncommon but potentially strategic. If you do choose to submit an ACT score, aim for a 35 to ensure it helps your application stand out.
Cornell University is looking for students who demonstrate intelligence, who have challenged themselves academically, and who are curious in and outside of the classroom.
To evaluate these traits, Cornell considers a range of academic and non-academic factors at different levels of importance.
As reported in the CDS, a student’s Rigor of Secondary School Record, Application Essay, and Recommendation(s) are ‘Very Important’ in Cornell’s admission process. Class Rank and Academic GPA are ‘Important’ in the admissions process, and Standardized Test Scores are ‘Considered’.
| Academic Factors | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of Secondary School Record | x | |||
| Class Rank | x | |||
| Academic GPA | x | |||
| Standardized Test Scores | x | |||
| Application Essay | x | |||
| Recommendation(s) | x |
Cornell University places a strong emphasis on academics, but not in a strictly numbers-based way. While GPA is considered "Important," the Rigor of your Secondary School Record is rated as "Very Important."
Cornell prioritizes students who have challenged themselves with the most demanding courses available, such as AP, IB, honors, or dual-enrollment classes, even if that results in slightly lower grades.
The admissions committee looks for students who have taken full advantage of the academic options available at their schools.
For example, a student applying to the College of Engineering might take AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and advanced computer science courses to demonstrate readiness for Cornell’s rigorous STEM curriculum.
Admissions officers review this kind of coursework to evaluate whether a student’s academic preparation aligns with the expectations of their intended major and the specific Cornell college or school to which they are applying.
Character/Personal Qualities are ‘Very Important’ in the Cornell admissions process, and Extracurricular Activities and Talent/Ability are ‘Important’. Your First-Generation status, Alumni/ae Relations, Geographical and State Residency, Volunteer Work, and Work Experience are ‘Considered’ by the admissions team.
An applicant’s Interview, Religious Affiliation/Commitment, and Level of Interest are ‘Not Considered’ in the evaluation process.
| Non-Academic Factors | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | x | |||
| Extracurricular Activities | x | |||
| Talent/Ability | x | |||
| Character/Personal Qualities | x | |||
| First Generation | x | |||
| Alumni/ae Relation | x | |||
| Geographical Residence | x | |||
| State Residency | x | |||
| Religious Affiliation/Commitment | x | |||
| Volunteer Work | x | |||
| Work Experience | x | |||
| Level of Applicant’s Interest | x |
The ideal applicant at Cornell University shows their intellectual potential, has character, is involved in their community, and demonstrates a clear fit with Cornell.
Here is a breakdown of the traits Cornell values most, what they actually mean, and how to show them:
| Trait | Cornell University’s Admissions Jargon Decoded | How to Show It |
|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Potential | You’ve pursued the most challenging coursework available to you and shown a deep interest in learning | Take AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment courses related to your intended major Write about independent learning, research, or projects in your essays Ask teachers who’ve seen you push yourself academically to write your recommendations |
| Character | You show honesty, open-mindedness, initiative, empathy, and curiosity | Share personal stories in your essays that highlight how you grew from challenges or helped others |
| Involvement | You’ve committed time outside the classroom to activities that matter to you | Include consistent involvement in clubs, jobs, family responsibilities, community service, or research, even if they aren’t related to your intended major |
| Reasons For Choosing Cornell | You understand what makes Cornell unique and can explain why you belong there | Reference specific programs, resources, or learning opportunities at Cornell that match your goals Avoid generic praise; be specific about how Cornell fits you and how you’ll contribute to it |
| Fit With Your College/School | You’ve researched your intended college within Cornell and know how your interests align with its approach | Mention specific professors, classes, or labs within that school |
Here’s how a hypothetical Cornell applicant could show a strong fit beyond grades and test scores:
Maya is applying to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) to major in Environment & Sustainability. She shows clear academic preparation and alignment by:
| Requirements | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Application | Accepted | |
| Coalition Application | Not accepted | |
| Essays and Personal Statement | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 | |
| Interview | Not required (video interviews are only required for students applying to the Architecture program) | |
| Application Fee (2025) | $80 | |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Available |
| Requirements | Recommended Units | |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Science | 3 (2 must be lab units) | |
| Foreign Language | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 (history, social studies) |
| Requirements | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| SAT or ACT | Required (starting 2026) | |
| Scores Due in Office | January 2, 2025 |
| Requirements | Offered? | Deadline | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Admission | Yes | January 2, 2025 | Early April 2025 |
| Early Action | No | N/a | N/a |
| Early Decision | Yes | November 1, 2024 | December 2024 |
In this video, Quad Education’s admissions experts share insider tips on how to make your Cornell University application stand out and improve your chances of getting accepted.
Here are some more expert-backed tips to improve your chances of getting into Cornell University.
The Cornell University essays are some of the most important parts of your application. Each college at Cornell has its own prompt, and your response helps the admissions committee decide whether you're a strong fit for the college you’re applying to. As such, your answers need to be highly specific.
In an Essay Tips video, Cornell's Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Pamela Tan, shares how you can make your essays more specific.
“Do your research. Look at the websites for the majors that interest you—what classes are you excited to take that will make your heart sing? What are professors researching that captures your attention? Also, explore the websites for the colleges that offer your majors of interest.
What are you excited to learn about outside of your major? Does the educational philosophy of that particular college excite you… let us know what about that program excites you and what you envision for your Cornell experience.”
To follow Tan’s advice, mention specific courses, professors, programs, and values in your essays. Draw clear connections between what excites you and what Cornell provides. Adding school-specific details shows you’ve researched Cornell and that you can thrive in it.
As a final tip, if you can replace the word “Cornell” in your essay with another university and it still makes sense, your essay is not specific enough. Strong essays should only make sense for Cornell. That kind of detail takes effort, but it’s what makes a great application stand out.
Cornell University isn’t looking for students with the most extracurriculars. Cornell looks for students who have pursued their interests with depth and purpose.
Here’s how Arianna Lee, a former admissions officer at Dartmouth College and current counselor at Quad Education, explains it in one of our webinars:
“You don’t necessarily have to be president of a club of interest that you’re in, but what else have you done? How dedicated are you to this particular interest?
If you love to crochet, and this is just your passion—that is perfectly fine. But how are you going to legitimize this to admissions officers? Are you donating your creations to hospitals or shelters? Are you teaching kids how to crochet on the weekends?
You can make anything that you’re passionate about something. It’s not about having the most glamorous activity. It’s about how you take that interest and make an impact with it. That’s what colleges want to see.”
As Lee emphasizes, you don’t need prestigious titles to stand out. Focus on depth, impact, and consistency. Cornell pays attention to how your activities reflect values like authenticity, initiative, and follow-through.
For example, a student passionate about environmental science doesn’t need to found a nonprofit to impress admissions officers. Instead, they might start by joining their school’s environmental club and eventually become president and lead a school-wide recycling drive.
This kind of sustained, hands-on involvement shows initiative, growth, leadership, and commitment.
Yes, Cornell University accepts transfer credit. However, it depends on the courses you took, how well you did, and the specific Cornell college you're applying to. Each school within Cornell has its own transfer credit policies, so check the college’s website for exact requirements.
Yes, you can get into Cornell University with a 3.5 GPA. While most admitted students have GPAs closer to 4.0, Cornell emphasizes that they look beyond test scores and GPAs. You can still stand out by taking AP, IB, and honors courses, writing strong school-specific essays, and pursuing meaningful extracurriculars.
Start preparing your Cornell University application in Grade 9. Focus on building a strong academic record, pursue activities you care about, and take initiatives in and outside the classroom. The earlier you begin, the more time you’ll have to craft a standout application.
If you get rejected from Cornell University, understand that it isn’t a reflection of your worth. You can attend another school and consider transferring later or take a gap year to grow your profile and reapply. Many students reach their goals through more than one path.
Cornell is known for its excellence in engineering, agriculture, business, and life sciences. It uniquely has land-grant status (meaning it is federally funded and has a mission to serve the public good). Cornell combines world-class research with hands-on learning across many disciplines.
Getting into Cornell University is highly competitive. Our Cornell University admissions consultants, many of whom are former admissions officers, can boost your admissions chances up to 98%. Schedule a free consultation today to get started on your successful application and take the first step toward acceptance.
