Cornell University
Ivy League in Ithaca, NY with top programs in engineering and agriculture. Founded in 1865 under the motto "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study," Cornell is structured as seven distinct undergraduate colleges, several of which, like Agriculture and Life Sciences, are state-supported contract colleges with their own admissions criteria. Cornell is the largest Ivy League school by undergraduate enrollment, offering an unusually wide range of majors for a school its size.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Cornell's official admissions site before applying.
What SAT/ACT Scores Do Admitted Students Have?
The middle 50% of Cornell's admitted students scored within these ranges:
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (25th–75th percentile of admitted students). Get your own personalized chance estimate →
Will You Get Into Cornell?
This estimate compares the test score you enter against Cornell's real published middle-50% band (1500–1570 SAT, 33–35 ACT) and its 8.8% acceptance rate to produce a Safety, Target, or Reach label. It intentionally does not use GPA — no institution publishes real per-school GPA distribution data, so we don't invent one.
With only a 8.8% acceptance rate, Cornell is a reach for almost every applicant, regardless of test scores.
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Source: Cornell admissions, 2026–27 (fall 2027 entry), verified Oct 2026.
Required Supplements
- Common App or Coalition
- Cornell Supplement
- School Report
- Teacher Evaluation
Requirements vary by cycle. Confirm what Cornell currently asks for on its official admissions site.
What Should Your Cornell Essay Focus On?
- Be specific about which college within Cornell you're applying to
- Show you understand the unique culture of your school
- Demonstrate genuine interest in your intended major
- Connect your interests to Cornell's specific resources
What Is Cornell Looking For in Applicants?
- Academic fit with one specific college within Cornell, since several, like Agriculture and Life Sciences, run their own admissions
- Demonstrated interest in the intended major specifically, not just interest in Cornell as a brand
- A clear understanding of the seven-college structure and why the chosen college fits the applicant
- A specific contribution to the chosen college community, not the university as an undifferentiated whole
See where you stand at Cornell.
Skora estimates your chances from Cornell's acceptance rate and its admitted students' test scores, then gives you feedback on every essay. Free to start.
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