Successful applicants to Cornell University universally possess an ‘A’ average in a rigorous high school curriculum, stellar SAT/ACT scores, and a record of accomplishment outside of the classroom in (typically) two or more extracurricular activities. However, these attributes are necessary but often not sufficient, as Cornell rejects 93% of the homogeneous horde of high-achieving candidates who apply each year. In addition to the latest Cornell University acceptance rate, we will explore the following:
Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent admissions data.
Cornell received 67,846 applications from Class of 2027 hopefuls and accepted 5,358 of them. This means that the Cornell acceptance rate was 7.9% in 2023, slightly higher than the previous year.
However, it is important to note that the overall acceptance rate reflects the Early Decision acceptance rate (more on this below) and the regular decision acceptance rate combined. 58,331 students applied in the regular round and 3,326 were accepted for an RD acceptance rate of 5.7%.
Historical (overall) Cornell University acceptance rates are as follows:
| Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2026 | 71,164 | 5,168 | 7.3% |
| Class of 2025 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.9% |
| Class of 2024 | 51,500 | 5,514 | 10.7% |
Cornell has not released their official admissions stats for the Class of 2028. However, we do know that 5,139 students were accepted.
In the 2023-24 cycle, Cornell received 9,515 Early Decision applications and accepted 1,670 of them, for an ED acceptance rate of 17.5%.
The year prior, there were 9,555 early decision applicants; 1,831 were accepted. This worked out to a 19% ED acceptance rate, which was a lower rate of success than the 21% figure encountered by the Class of 2025.
In a typical year, Cornell secures about 30% of the freshman class during the ED round. However, moving forward, Cornell plans to reduce the number of students accepted via ED. No word yet on how drastic the reduction will be, but Class of 2029 applicants will likely face stiffer competition if applying in the early round.
Cornell does not report average GPA for accepted applicants. However, based on its peer institutions and level of selectivity, applicants should aim for a 4.0 or above to be as competitive as possible.
Among enrolled 2023-24 first-year students, 82% hailed from the top 10% of their graduating class. 95% earned a place in the top 25%.
According to the most recent statistics available (Class of 2027), the mid-50% SAT range for enrolled freshmen was 1480-1550. Moreover, the ACT range was 33-35.
Note that 95% of enrolled students had an SAT score between 1400-1600, while 97% had an ACT score between 30-36.
Unlike many other ultra-selective institutions, undergraduate applications to Cornell are not reviewed from a central admissions office; rather, they are funneled to the specific college within the university that a particular student has applied to. From there, applications undergo a “first review” which looks at whether or not the applicant possesses the minimum academic credentials for serious consideration. Typically, around 80% of applicants make it through the “first review.”
In the next round of review, admissions officers look to the rigor of an applicant’s high school coursework and carefully read their supplemental essay about their interest in studying a given discipline at Cornell. They also want to see evidence of a desire to become passionately committed to the Cornell student community. This can best be demonstrated through extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendation letters.
Cornell is looking for genuine excellence in one or more activities. For example, you won a prestigious national physics competition, you are one of the top violinists in the United States, you published original scientific research, or were the president of a service organization that made a monumental impact. It definitely helps if you are recruited as an athlete to join one of Big Red’s 36 Division I sports teams. Between 6-7% of undergraduates are recruited athletes.
In sum, there are eight factors that Cornell ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, standardized test scores, the essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Standing out in all of these areas definitely increases your chances of gaining acceptance to this Ivy League institution.
Geographically, the Class of 2027 includes:
Competition is stiffest among those hailing from states with endless streams of qualified applicants (the entire Northeast, including New York, & the West Coast). However, if you hail from a less populated state like Nebraska, South Dakota, or Alaska, your location is more likely to provide a boost to your admissions chances, as Cornell likes to enroll students from all 50 states.
Moreover, since Cornell is New York State’s land-grant institution, their mission to better the lives of NY State citizens does come into play when making admissions decisions.
Next, let’s look at the ethnic identity of the Class of 2027.
The Class of 2027 has the following gender split:
By college, the Class of 2027 will enroll as follows:
Cornell’s overall Class of 2027 yield rate was 66%. This number is significantly lower than Harvard, but higher than many other selective universities. For comparison, elite schools such as Caltech, UCLA, Washington University in St. Louis, UVA, and USC all have yield rates around or under 50%.
If you plan on joining the 70,000ish Big Red hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
Required for all applicants:
In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “…any person…any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. (350 words)
In the online Common Application Writing Supplement, please respond to the essay question below (maximum of 650 words) that corresponds to the undergraduate college or school to which you are applying.
What three words best describe you? (30 characters each)
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 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.
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.
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 (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration).
All applicants are required to write two supplemental essays. Each has a limit of 250 words. Essay 1 is required of all applicants. For Essay 2, you must choose between Question A and Question B.
Essay 1
Required for all engineering applicants
How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? If you have an intended major, what draws you to that department at Cornell Engineering? If you are unsure what specific engineering field you would like to study, describe how your general interest in engineering most directly connects with Cornell Engineering. It may be helpful to concentrate on one or two things that you are most excited about.
Essay 2
Choose either Question A or Question B.
Short Answers
What three words best describe you? (30 characters each)
What are three words you would use to describe Cornell Engineering?
How have your related experiences influenced your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE)? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should show us that your interests and aspirations align with CHE and your choice of major.
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.
Brooks 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.
For a detailed look at how to tackle these essays, visit our blog entitled: Cornell University Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips.
Those with SAT/ACT scores within the mid-50% range who are also at the very top of their respective high school class are absolutely viable candidates for Cornell. Above all, Cornell wants to see that you are academically capable of excellence in their rigorous curriculum.
Finally, if you are serious about applying to Cornell, taking standardized tests (and scoring as highly as possible) should be part of your plan.
Yes. The Cornell acceptance rate for transfers is nearly double the rate for freshmen. For students entering in fall 2023, the transfer acceptance rate was 12.6%.
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
| 2022-23 | 13.8% |
| 2020-21 | 15.7% |
| 2019-20 | 18% |
To sum up, if you bring strong academic and extracurricular credentials to the table, there is no harm in filling out a Cornell application, but—as with all highly competitive colleges in 2024-25—even the best and brightest teens need to have an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools.
Ready to start working on your application? You might consider checking out the following:
A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.
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