Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was established with a bold mission: to provide an education in any field of study to any person. Today, it remains one of the world’s most prestigious universities, combining the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution.
Cornell’s colleges and schools encompass more than 100 fields of study, with campuses in Ithaca, New York City, and Doha, Qatar. The university enrolls approximately 25,000 students, including 15,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate and professional students from all 50 states and over 130 countries.
Colleges and Schools
Cornell University is organized into seven undergraduate colleges and schools, each offering a distinct academic experience:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) – Leading programs in biological sciences, environmental studies, and food science
- College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP) – Architecture, urban planning, fine arts, and design
- College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) – Liberal arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and mathematics
- Cornell SC Johnson College of Business – Includes the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the School of Hotel Administration
- College of Engineering – Top-ranked engineering programs across all major disciplines
- College of Human Ecology – Policy analysis, human development, nutritional science, and fiber science
- School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) – Labor relations, human resources, and global workforce studies
Graduate and Professional Programs
Cornell offers graduate study through the Graduate School and several professional schools including the Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell Law School, Cornell Tech (New York City), College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. With over 100 graduate fields of study, Cornell prepares students for leadership in academia, industry, medicine, law, and public service.
How to Apply
Cornell University accepts applications through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Each college has its own supplemental requirements.
Undergraduate Application Requirements
- Application: Common App or Coalition App with Cornell supplement
- Application Fee: $80 (fee waivers available)
- Official High School Transcripts
- SAT/ACT Scores: Test-optional for most colleges (middle 50%: SAT 1480-1560, ACT 34-36)
- Two Teacher Recommendations plus one school counselor recommendation
- Personal Essays: Common App essay plus Cornell-specific supplement
- English Proficiency: TOEFL 100+ iBT or IELTS 7.0+ for non-native speakers
Key Deadlines
- Early Decision: November 1 (results mid-December)
- Regular Decision: January 2 (results late March)
- Transfer Applications: March 15
Admission Requirements
- GPA: Average admitted GPA is approximately 4.0 (weighted)
- Class Rank: Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class
- Extracurriculars: Demonstrated leadership and community involvement strongly valued
- Acceptance Rate: Approximately 8% overall (highly selective)
- International Students: Evaluated holistically; financial aid available for international applicants