[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is Cornell University to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Cornell University (Cornell)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Cornell's acceptance rate is 8.76% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 62,993 students applied and 5,516 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Cornell.
To apply to Cornell, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, Cornell's acceptance rate is 8.76% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 63.91%. 32,321 men and 30,643 women applied to Cornell and 2,529 men and 2,987 women students were accepted.
Among them, 1,648 men and 1,877 women were enrolled in Cornell. You can explore the Cornell's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 1,424 students (40% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 455 students (13% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Cornell.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,540, including 750 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 790 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 770 and the 25th percentile is 730. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 800 and the 25th percentile is 770.
The median ACT composite score is 34, with a 75th percentile score of 35 and a 25th percentile score of 33 at Cornell. The median ACT Math score is 35 and the median ACT English score is 35.
How competitive is Cornell's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Cornell University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,497, ACT: 34 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Cornell. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Cornell University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to Cornell:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: https://admissions.cornell.edu/
- Online Application: https://www.commonapp.org/
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
Cornell Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Cornell is extremely competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of 8.76%.
Cornell recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Cornell is 1,540, and the average ACT score is 34. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, Cornell requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, Cornell requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Cornell does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Cornell requires applicants to submit high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Cornell requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for Cornell is 2098 and 4-digit ACT code is 2726.