How to Get Into Cornell ACT and SAT Scores, GPA, and More

Simply put, Ithaca is Gorges. Some people, however, are put off by Cornells locationHowever, once youve arrived in Ithaca, theres almost everything that you could ever needIn terms of non-commerical aspects of Ithaca, there are many different state parks within a few miles of campus, all with beautiful scenery (including waterfalls!), recreation areas, and more. In addition, there are two gorges that run through campus that youll cross multiple times a day! Everything in Ithaca is beuatiful – especially on campus. Ithaca is a great city for a college campus – and if theres any doubt in your mind about whether or not youll fall in love with it, take a trip to Cornell and find out for yourself. bweintraub, AdmitSee. If studying on the East Coast at one of the most elite academic institutions in the United States appeals to you, then Cornell may just be the university for you. Cornell University, founded in 1865, is one of eight Ivy League schools (along with Brown University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University) known for prestigious academics and beautiful, historic, ivy-covered campuses. This year, Cornell was ranked #17 of all the national universities, and is considered one of the most selective schools in the world. You’ll have to be a very impressive candidate to get accepted into Cornell, but with the right combination of very high grades, very high test scores, and participation in impressive extracurricular activities, you may just stand a chance. Before we jump into a super thorough explanation of exactly how to get into Cornell, let’s take a look at some quick Cornell admissions statistics: Cornell SAT scores (average composite score of admitted students) 180 on a 1600 scale. If you want a better idea of how good a chance you stand to get in based on your SAT scores, the percentiles shake out like this: The 25th percentile for Cornell SAT scores is 1390 The 75th percentile for Cornell SAT scores is 1550 What does this mean exactly? That if you score at or below a 17013901550 So if you want the SAT scores to get into Cornell, better get to studying! Our article on getting the perfect SAT score can be a good place to start for some tips. More About Cornell ACT Scores The first thing to keep in mind about taking the ACT is that while Cornell doesn’t require both the ACT and the SAT, ACT scores may not fulfill specific departmental requirements. So make sure to check with the specific school you are applying to make sure the ACT suffices if you don’t intend to also take the SAT. And unlike the SAT’s scoring system, if you take the ACT, you get to choose which scores you send, so Cornell admissions will only see your highest ones. This means you can take the ACT as many times as you want until you get a highly competitive score that you’re happy with–and no one will ever know how many tries it took. The average composite ACT score is 32 and the percentiles are as follows: The 25th percentile for Cornell ACT scores is 31 The 75th percentile for Cornell ACT scores is 34 This means that a 30 or below will put you below average compared to the scores of other accepted applicants while a 34 or higher will put you above average. So if you want a very, very good chance of getting in, it would behoove you to get a 34 or higher on your ACT. Cornell Acceptance Rate According to the Cornell Daily Sun, Cornells admission rate for the class of 2023 is 10.3% This makes Cornell University an extremely selective college, so youll have to have some serious academic chops to get in! More About Cornell GPA Average Historically, the average GPA of students admitted to Cornell lingers around 4.0, with this year’s average at 4.04. What this means is that you’ll almost certainly have to be earning straight As in high school. Also keep in mind that not all high schools calculate GPA the same way; most use a weighted scale out of 4.0, but some use a 5.0 scale. This mostly affects how AP, IB, and honors classes are weighted, and the good news is that high performance in these types of courses typically reflects well on your GPA and on your drive and academic prowess in general. So the long and the short of it is that you’ll have to be at the top of your class if you want a fighting chance of getting into Cornell, and the heavier and more challenging your course load, the better. Oh, and it’s also worthwhile to note that from your junior year on, it’s really difficult to change your GPA significantly, so if you think Cornell is the right fit for you, you’ll have to keep your eye on the prize starting early in your high school career! Cornell Freshman Profile The good news about Cornell is that while admission is highly competitive, the pool of accepted students is increasingly diverse. According to the above mentioned article on the class of 2023, Nearly 55 percent of this year’s admitted students are â€Å"students of color† — underrepresented minorities or Asian Americans — a new record for Cornell. This is a great article on Cornells incoming class of 2023, but here are some quick facts: Of the admitted freshman for the class of 2023: 55% are women 48.4% identify as students of color 13.4% are first†generation college students Were thrilled to hear about the trajectory of greater diversity at Cornell, and according to Shawn Felton, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, â€Å"The new undergraduate students arriving on campus this fall are extraordinary in every possible wayThey have tremendous talent and ability, and their dreams are bold and limitless. We look forward to supporting their unique individual journeys.† Cornell Other Admissions Requirements and Information Here’s a thorough overview of Cornell University’s undergraduate admissions requirements, an applicant checklist, and freshman application instructions. If you’re looking for a short and sweet list of exactly what you’ll need to apply to Cornell, here it is: A Common Application or Universal College Application A school report (provided by your counselor) and a counselor recommendation Two teacher evaluations A Mid-year report stating when your mid-year grades are available And $80 application fee or fee waiver Your official high school transcript Cornell University Writing Supplement (on what you intend to study) Standardized test scores Be advised that as mentioned earlier, individual colleges at Cornell require specific SAT subject test scores. Likewise, several programs including art and architecture require portfolios, so make sure to check in with whichever department you’re applying to. And in case you’re considering making the move to Cornell from another school, here’s more information on the admissions requirements for transferring to Cornell. Cornell FAQs Does Cornell have early decision applications? Yes. Here’s a great overview of applying early decision to Cornell, but a couple of things to keep in mind about applying early decision: Your early decision application is due November 1 Early decision is binding, meaning you must withdraw other applications if you’re admitted If you are rejected for early decision, you may not apply for regular decision Does Cornell use the Common App? Yes, Cornell uses the Common App, short for the Common Application. The most critical part of the common app is the common app essay, so here’s an ultimate guide writing a great common app essay! There are also some super helpful FAQs about applying to Cornell with the Common App. Is Cornell need-blind? Yes, Cornell is need-blind, meaning that your ability to pay for tuition is not taken into consideration when reviewing your application. To learn more about financing your education through both need-based grants and merit-based scholarships, visit Cornell’s financial aid department. Does Cornell interview? According to Cornell admissions, â€Å"Though Cornell offers applicants the opportunity to meet with Cornell alumni admissions ambassadors, formal interviews are not required, nor offered, for any other undergraduate programs.† How to Get Into Cornell University So as you can see, Cornell University is super challenging, but certainly not impossible, to get into. This is an awesome articulation of exactly what Cornell looks for in a student, including intellectual potential, your character, and your involvement in your school and community. To best showcase these aspects in your application, Mike M. with Transizion can help you out: The two most important parts of your application to Cornell are your essay and your recommendations. These are where admissions staff will get a clearer picture of your actual identity. Your essay shows them how you view yourself, and the recommendations reveal how others look at you. A poorly written essay can override virtually every other factor in your application, so take the time to write about something meaningful to you that gives a deep and thoughtful picture of your potential for affecting the world around you. For recommendations, choose a teacher or authority figure in your life who will be able to help articulate your interests. Mr. Steve the woodshop teacher might be a great guy, but if youre going to study psychology, he might not be the best choice. However, if youre going to be an engineer, his opinion might have some real value. Focus your application on your core educational interests, and the admissions officer reviewing it will see that come through. In a nutshell, to get into Cornell you’ll want to: Earn at least a 1500 on your SAT or a 32 on your ACT Have at a 4.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), reflecting high grades in challenging classes Participate in plenty of extracurricular activities, particularly in leadership roles Write a very strong, unique, and compelling admissions essay Since standardized test scores are such a significant part of your application, remember to start studying as early as possible to leave yourself time for re-takes! Check out this 1-week SAT free trial as well as a great 1-week ACT free trial to get you started! Best of luck and happy studying!