Cornell University

If you want to apply to Cornell, the deadline for Fall 2022 admissions is January 2 and the fee for the application is $80. Application fees can add up, but some schools do have free applications and students who are struggling to afford application fees may qualify for for fee waiver for their application.

Considering Applying Early to Cornell?

Cornell University offers early decision but not early action Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing.

The early decision acceptance rate at Cornell is 23%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 11%. In 2021, Cornell admitted 1397 of the 6158 students who applied early decison.

Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances. Early deadlines may increase the chance of being admitted, since applying early shows your are very interested in a school, and your application is being considered before all the regular decision applicants apply.

See a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

How To Get Into Cornell University

Getting into Cornell is extremely difficult. Cornell evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny or waitlist.

In 2021, Cornell accepted 11% of all applicants., around 5,330 of the 49,114 students who applied.

Schools that are extremely difficult to get into, like Cornell, accept fewer than 30% of all applicants. At least 75% of admitted students have GPAs in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1310 on the SAT or over 29 on the ACT.

Transfer student admissions is extremely difficult. In 2021, Cornell waitlisted 4,948 students. Of those, 3362 eventually got in.

What's Most Important to Get In to Cornell?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are they consider most important in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengthsand any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that prioritize the admissions factors where you shine.

Admissions Factors at Cornell

Cornell Application Requirements

To apply, all applicants to Cornell must submit the following items. Double check with Cornell's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Cornell?

Out of all students that were admitted, 22% submitted a class rank. At Cornell 83% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 96% were in the top 25% and 99% were in the top 50%.

Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0.

Cornell does not have a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2021, 71% of Cornell's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 41% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What's a Good SAT Score for Cornell?

To be competitive with other Cornell applicants, you should strive to earn between 1420 and 1540 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Cornell 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1540 and 25% of scored lower than 1420, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Cornell students scored 800 or higher and 75% of students scored 680 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Cornell students scored 760 or higher, and 75% scored a 680 or higher.

Want to increase your SAT Score?

Preparing for the SAT can help raise your score, but it doesn't have to take up a lot of time.

Learn how to increase your SAT score 200 points or more in just 10 minutes a day.

What's a Good ACT Score for Cornell?

To be most competitive at Cornell, you should strive to earn between 32 and 35 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 35 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Cornell's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 35, and three out of four students scored lower than 35 on the ACT.

A 32 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Cornell students. Only one out of every four students scored below 32.

Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.

Transferring to Cornell University

For transfer students, it is extremely difficult to get admitted to Cornell.

For transfer students wishing to start in the Fall, the deadline to apply is March 15. Applicants should hear back by June 15.

Transfer students can enroll in Cornell during the following terms: Fall Term Spring Term

Cornell Admissions FAQs

Can I defer my acceptance to Cornell?

Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Cornell.

Does Cornell accept transfer credits?

Cornell accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does Cornell accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

Cornell accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) creditsand Advanced Placement (AP) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Cornell?

Cornell. is not test optional. You must submit test scores as part of the application.

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