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Cornell University Guide

The Ivy Scholars guide to Cornell University’s culture, admissions, and other essential information for prospective students and their families.

Location: Ithaca, NY

Mascot: Big Red

Type: Private & Land-Grant Research University

Population: 26,800 (16,100 undergrads)

About Cornell University

Cornell University was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, NY, with a unique mission for the time: to provide an institution where any person could find instruction in any study. The university has an undergraduate focus and has the highest acceptance rate of the Ivies hovering at around 14%. It also has a beautiful “Harry Potter” like library, a highly ranked architecture school, and a rich culture steeped in tradition.

Cornell University Statistics

Year Founded: 1865

4 Year Graduation Rate: 94%

Gender Distribution: 53% male, 47% female

Acceptance Rate: 8.4%

Residency: 25% in state, 51% out of state, 11% international

Location Type: College Town

Schedule System: Semesters

Student/Faculty Ratio: 9:1

Average Class Size: 10

Demographics: 36% Caucasian, 15% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 5% Black, 4% Other

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National Rankings

US News Rankings:

  • #7 in Computer Science
  • #9 Best Business Programs
  • #10 Best Undergraduate Engineering Program
  • #11 National Universities
  • #19 Most Innovative School
  • #31 Best Undergraduate Teaching

Independent Rankings:

  • #13 Diversity & Affordability in United States per STARS Reporting
  • #6 Most Green Campus per College Consensus
  • #7 Best College for Business in America per Niche Rankings
  • #9 US College per World University Rankings
  • #11 Private Colleges per Forbes
  •  

Cornell University Admissions Statistics

Application Deadlines:

  • Early Decision: November 1st
  • Regular Decision: January 2nd
  • Transfer Deadline: March 15th

Notification Dates:

  • Early Decision: Mid-December
  • Regular Decision: Early April May/ June

Acceptance Rates:

  • ED 11.6%
  • RD 7.9% 
  • Transfer 9.3%

Average Applicant Pool: 65,600

Average Number of Applicants Accepted: 5,500

Average Number Enrolled: 3,500

Application Systems: Common App, Coalition App

Average GPA: 4.07 weighted

SAT Scores: 25th percentile – 1510, 75th percentile – 1560

ACT Scores: 25th percentile – 33, 75th percentile – 35

*Test optional. Writing sections optional.

 

Demonstrated Interest: Cornell does not consider demonstrated interest.

Recommendation Letter Policies: One counselor recommendation and two teachers with one relating to the planned field of study. Additional recommendation letters are accepted, and online submissions are recommended.

Cornell University Essay Prompts for 2020:

  • Common App Personal Statement (650 words)
  • We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (350 word limit)

School Specific Prompts:

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected? Please discuss how your interests and related experiences have influenced your choice. Specifically, how will an education from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Cornell University help you achieve your academic goals? (650 words)
    • Optional: At Cornell CALS, we aim to leave the world better than we found it, so we seek out those who are passionate about serving the public good. Please elaborate on an experience where you were able to have a meaningful impact on people, a community, and/or an environment of importance to you. (100 word limit)
  • College of Architecture, Art, and Planning:
  • How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B. Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues. (650 word limit)
      • College of Arts and Sciences: At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. (650 word limit)
    • School of Public Policy: Why are you drawn to studying public policy? Drawing on your experiences, tell us about why you are interested in your chosen major and how attending the Brooks School will help you achieve your life goals. (650 word limit)
    Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: What kind of a business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration). (650 word limit)
  • College of Engineering: Long Essay Responses (200 word limit)
    • Question 1: Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?
    • Question 2: Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?
  • College of Human Ecology: How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology been influenced by your related experiences? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future? (650 words)
  • School of Industrial and Labor Relations: Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School. (650 word limit)
  • Short Essay Responses (100 word limit)
    • Question 1: What brings you joy?
    • Question 2: What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you’ve already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?
    • Question 3: What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.
    • Question 4: What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you.
  • Cornell Essay Writing Tips

Special Notes:

Although Ivy League Schools are chartered as private institutions, Cornell has some undergraduate colleges that receive funding from the state. There are nine privately endowed and four publicly supported statutory colleges (Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Ecology, Industrial and Labor Relations, and Veterinary Medicine).

Please click here for college application help from Ivy Scholars.
 

Transfers:

  • Students must have at least 12 credits to apply as a transfer.
  • Students must use the Common App.
  • An academic evaluation from a college instructor is required.
  • Test scores are required if you have taken standardized tests, but do not need to be submitted if you haven’t. Transcripts from all schools attended are also required.

Cornell University Academics

Schools:

 

Core Requirements:

Courses of Study: 

  • 80 Undergraduate Majors
  • Popular majors include Engineering, Biological/Biomedical Sciences, and Agriculture
  • You cannot double major across colleges, but you can have two majors within a single college, minor across colleges, and take classes across colleges.
  • Minors Offered
  • Course Catalog

 

Cornell University AP Credit Policy:

  • Cornell accepts AP scores of 3, 4, and 5 for course credit. These requirements vary by undergraduate college. You can use AP credits to opt-out of individual school curriculum requirements as well as certain major requirements.
  • Comprehensive AP Credit Information

Honors Programs:

  • Honors Program (To enroll in the honors program, a student must have completed a minimum of 55 credits with at least 30 acquired while at Cornell. Students enrolled in the honors program may earn credits for their research by enrolling in an independent research course.)
  • Honor Societies

Research Availability:

  • 23% of students participate in undergraduate research. These opportunities are generally for academic credit but are sometimes paid.

Study Abroad: 

Business Options: 

  • MBA Options:
    • One-Year Accelerated MBA: fast track, flexible schedule, classes offered on campus as well as in New York City location
    • Two-Year MBA: full-time program geared toward students who want to move into management roles – 4 semesters + summer internship
    • Dual-Degree Programs: students can earn their MBA at the same time as another degree in a condensed time frame, option to choose an existing dual-degree program or get a customized program approved

Pre-Med Options:

  • Pre-Medical Programs
  • Cornell does not have a pre-med major but does offer guidance to students interested in entering the medical field.
  • Cornell offers free tuition to qualifying medical students.

Pre-Law Options:

Computer Science Options:

  • The Department of Computer Science is run through Arts and Sciences and Engineering, and students in either school may major in the field.
  • Minors are offered in Computer Science and Game Design.

There are student groups for those who want to explore the field outside of the

Additional Specialty Programs: 

Programs for High Schoolers:

Student Life at Cornell University

School Motto: I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.

Mission and Values:

  • Mission: To discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community.
  • Values: Purposeful Discovery, Free and Open Inquiry and Expression, A Community of Belonging, Exploration Across Boundaries, Changing Lives Through Public Engagement, and Respect for the Natural Environment
  • Student Testimonials (Niche, Unigo, Cappex)

Cornells’ Residential College System:

  • Residential life at Cornell provides student support and programming in the residence halls to make your experience engaging, meaningful, and gratifying. 
  • Cornell’s living/learning environment is made up of 19 undergraduate residence halls, which includes eight program houses. 

Housing Statistics:

  • Guaranteed for freshmen and sophomores.
  • All dorms are co-ed besides one all-female dorm for first-year women only.
  • All students are required to live on campus. To move off-campus, you must enter a lottery and or meet the allowable exceptions. 
  • Residency Requirements and Exceptions

Campus & Surrounding Area:  

Safety Information: (Campus Safety, Cornell, College Factual)

Transportation:

Traditions:

Student-Run Organizations: 

There are two types of student-run organizations: Independent and University. Faculty and staff of independent organizations are volunteers. University organizations are affiliated with a specific office or department at the university.

Sports:

Greek Life: Cornell’s Greek Life dates back to 1868, and ⅓ of students participate.

Nightlife:

Financial Information

Yearly Cost of Attending Cornell University in 2020:

Private Colleges:

  • Total: $96,268
  • Tuition: $71,266
  • Fees: $1,004
  • Housing: $13,246
  • Food: $7,328
  • Books: $1,216
  • Personal Expenses: $2,208

State Contract Colleges:

  • $48,010 – NY State Resident
  • $71,266 – Non-NY State Resident
  •  

Financial Aid:

Scholarships: 

Fun Facts

  • A professor at Cornell invented the chicken nugget.
  • While the mascot at football games used to be a “live” bear, now it’s a student in a bear costume.
  • Cornell was the first Ivy League university to admit women.
  • The Kroch Rare Manuscript Library has one of the first copies of Charlotte’s Web.
  • In 2012, because of recycling and composting efforts, 66 percent of the Ithaca campus’ waste was diverted from landfills.
  • When Harvard comes to play hockey, some fans throw fish on the ice.
  • Since 1905, all students must take and pass a swimming test during their freshman year. It is considered a life skill.
  • Cornell has an underground tunnels system.
  • Cornell has the only agricultural school in the Ivy League.
  • Cornell was almost located in Syracuse.
  • Cornell is the only (partially) public Ivy League school.
  • Notable alumni include Bill Nye The Science Guy and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
  • Just for Fun at Cornell.

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