Cornell University
Acceptance Rate Trend
SAT Score Range Trend
(middle 50% of admitted students)
| Year | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1470 | 1550 |
| 2023 | 1470 | 1550 |
| 2024 | 1470 | 1550 |
Application Timeline
Application Methods
👍 Great Fit If You Are:
Intellectually curious builders
if you want to combine theory and practice, and enjoy solving real-world problems in agriculture, business, tech, or policy, Cornell offers it all.
Students who love nature with rigor
if your ideal day includes hiking through gorges after finishing a p-set, Cornell’s Ithaca campus is your dream.
Self-motivated learners
if you're willing to handle heavy workloads and independently manage your path, you’ll find deep rewards here.
Interdisciplinary explorers
if you want to mix hotel management with sustainability, or CS with philosophy, Cornell’s academic structure makes it possible.
Humble achievers
if you value impact over prestige, and grit over glamor, the Cornell culture will resonate with you.
🚨 Not Ideal For:
Students who crave a tight-knit liberal arts feel
the school is big and decentralized; finding your community can take time and effort.
Urban energy seekers
Ithaca is beautiful, but remote; if you thrive on fast-paced city life, this may feel isolating.
Prestige-maximizers
Cornell is prestigious, but doesn’t always feel elite in tone; some students expect more glamour and get more grit.
Structure-dependent learners
with so many colleges and majors, the freedom can feel overwhelming without strong self-direction.
Sunshine lovers
winters are long, gray, and snowy; seasonal affective types, beware.
Unique land-grant Ivy
The only Ivy League institution with a land-grant mission, blending public service with Ivy-caliber academics across both privately endowed and state-supported colleges.
Unmatched college diversity
Houses specialized schools such as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Hotel Administration, and College of Veterinary Medicine—each top-ranked in its field.
Scenic and experiential campus
Perched in Ithaca’s Finger Lakes region, the campus features gorges, waterfalls, and a botanical garden integrated into daily student life.
Entrepreneurship ecosystem
Programs like eLab and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business support venture creation with mentorship, funding, and access to a global alumni network.
Global impact through Cornell Tech
The NYC-based Cornell Tech campus focuses on technology, design, and entrepreneurship, fostering industry partnerships and applied learning.
☀️ Weather & Climate
spring
40-65°F (4-18°C)
Variable, late spring
summer
65-82°F (18-28°C)
Pleasant, ideal for outdoor activities
fall
35-70°F (2-21°C)
Beautiful foliage, cooling
winter
15-35°F (-9-2°C)
Cold and snowy
Four seasons with significant snow.
☀️Average 179 sunny days per year
👩🎓👨🎓 Demographics
Gender Ratio
Ethnic Distribution
📚 Popular Majors
Campus Area Dining
Nearby Areas
Student-focused dining
Downtown dining district