Cornell University

Along with its excellent faculty and facilities, Cornell University boasts a beautiful location in the Finger Lakes region of central New York. The huge hillside campus overlooks Lake Cayuga and is crisscrossed by deep gorges and bridges. Cornell is unique among the Ivy League universities in that its agricultural program is part of the state school system. Cornell is well known for its schools of engineering and hotel management. Its strengths in research and instruction have earned it membership in the Association of American Universities, and Cornell can also boast of a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Explore campus in this Cornell University photo tour.

Admissions Data (2011):

• Percent of Applicants Admitted: 18%
• What Are Your Chances? (from Cappex.com)
• Cornell GPA, SAT and ACT Score Graph
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 630 / 730
  • SAT Math: 670 / 770
  • SAT Writing: - / -
    • What these SAT numbers mean
    • Top engineering SAT comparison
    • Ivy League SAT score comparison
    • Top NY college SAT comparison
  • ACT Composite: 29 / 33
  • ACT English: - / -
  • ACT Math: - / -
    • What these ACT numbers mean
    • Ivy League ACT score comparison
    • Top NY college ACT comparison

Enrollment (2010):

• Total Enrollment: 20,939 (13,935 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 50% Male / 50% Female
• 100% Full-time

Costs (2011 - 12):

• Tuition and Fees: $41,541
• Books: $800 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $13,154
• Other Expenses: $1,630
• Total Cost: $57,125

Cornell Financial Aid (2009 - 10):

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 67%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 56%
  • Loans: 32%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $29,877
  • Loans: $5,431

Most Popular Majors:

Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Biology, Economics, Hotel Management, Human Development, Industrial and Labor Relations, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science

Graduation and Retention Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 96%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 86%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 93%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

Cornell and the Common Application

Cornell University uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you:

• Common Application essay tips and samples
• Short answer tips and samples
• Supplemental essay tips and sample

Cornell University Mission Statement:

In keeping with the founding vision of Ezra Cornell, our community fosters personal discovery and growth, nurtures scholarship and creativity across a broad range of common knowledge, and engages men and women from every segment of society in this quest. We pursue understanding beyond the limitations of existing knowledge, ideology, and disciplinary structure. We affirm the value to individuals and society of cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. Our faculty, students, alumni, and staff strive toward these objectives in a context of freedom with responsibility. We foster initiative, integrity, and excellence, in an environment of collegiality, civility, and responsible stewardship. As the land-grant university for the state of New York, we apply the results of our endeavors in service to our alumni, the community, the state, the nation, and the world.