Cornell University Acceptance Rate: 2025

Cornell University Acceptance Rate: What You Should Really Know Before You Apply

So, you’re thinking about Cornell. First off, great choice. It’s an Ivy League school with incredible academics, a stunning campus in Ithaca, and a reputation that can open doors for you anywhere in the world.

But let’s be honest, the part you’ve probably already Googled is the Cornell University acceptance rate. That one number can feel like it decides everything before you even apply.

For the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate is 8.4 per cent. Out of more than 65,000 people who sent in their applications, just over 5,500 got the “Congratulations” email.

Yes, it’s competitive. But here’s the thing: thousands of students do get in every single year, and there’s no reason you can’t be one of them.

What That Number Really Means

The Cornell University acceptance rate is simply the percentage of applicants who get admitted in a given year.

But it’s not the whole story. Cornell isn’t one giant admissions pool. It’s made up of eight different undergraduate colleges, each with its own process and slightly different standards.

If you apply to Engineering, for example, your competition will be different from someone applying to the School of Hotel Administration or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. So your personal odds depend a lot on the path you choose.

Cornell University Regular Decision vs Early Decision Acceptance Rates

Here’s something most students don’t realise until late in the game, your application plan can make a big difference.

If you apply through Regular Decision, your odds are about 6.2 percent. But if you apply Early Decision, they jump to 16.7 percent. That’s more than double your chances.

Why? Early Decision tells Cornell you’re ready to commit. If they say yes, you’re in, no second-guessing. Admissions officers love that kind of certainty.

The catch is that ED is binding, so you can’t compare offers from other schools later. If Cornell is your number one choice, though, it’s worth thinking about.

Why the Cornell University Acceptance Rate Has Dropped Over Time

The Cornell University acceptance rate hasn’t always been this low. In 2019, it was around 15 percent. The drop isn’t because Cornell suddenly decided to be tougher.

It’s because more students than ever are applying, especially international students, and many are applying to multiple Ivy League schools just in case. The more applications, the more selective things get.

What Cornell Actually Looks For

Yes, strong grades are important. Yes, good test scores can help. But Cornell is looking for more than that. They want students who will actually add something to campus life.

That could be your leadership in a club, a personal project you’ve built from the ground up, a story about how you overcame a big challenge, or a talent you’ve been developing for years. Your essays are where you can show who you are beyond the stats.

It also matters how you spend your time outside the classroom. Cornell values depth over quantity, so a handful of meaningful extracurriculars will look better than a long list of half-hearted ones.

How To Give Yourself The Best Shot

If we were talking about this over coffee, here’s what I’d tell you:

- Apply Early Decision if you’re absolutely sure Cornell is your dream school.

- Keep your grades solid, especially in challenging courses.

- Write essays that sound like you, not what you think an admissions officer wants to hear.

- Focus on a few activities you really care about and go deep.

- Show Cornell why you’re a perfect fit for their community, not just why they’re a great school.

Don’t Let the Cornell University Acceptance Rate Scare You

Yes, 8.4 percent sounds tough, but it’s still the highest acceptance rate in the Ivy League. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are all under 5 percent.

That means while Cornell is competitive, it’s not out of reach if you’ve got the right mix of academics, personality, and preparation.

Every single student who gets in was once staring at that same number, wondering if it could happen for them. For thousands every year, it does.

FAQ's

1. What’s the Cornell University acceptance rate right now

For the Class of 2028, it’s 8.4 percent.

2. Does Early Decision make a big difference

Yes. Early Decision applicants have a 16.7 percent acceptance rate compared to 6.2 percent for Regular Decision.

3. Is Cornell the easiest Ivy to get into

Technically yes, but it’s still very competitive.

4. Has the acceptance rate dropped in recent years

Yes. It was about 15 percent in 2019 and is now 8.4 percent.

5. Are some programs harder to get into

Yes. Architecture, Engineering, and certain Arts and Sciences programs are especially selective.