Cornell University Admission Process

Cornell University is a big, largely residential research university with a large number of undergraduate students. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accredited the university since 1921. Cornell University follows a 4–1–4 academic calendar, with the fall semester starting late August and ending early December, a three-week winter session in January, and the spring semester starting late January and concluding early May.  Let’s explore Cornell University Admission Process and more!

Cornell University Admission Process

Cornell University evaluates applications based on where the candidate is currently enrolled in school, not on his/her citizenship status. The application will be read alongside those from the candidate schools as well as those from the same state (the United States) or nation.

University’s overseas students go through the same admission process as the first-year and transfer students. Admissions decisions at Cornell University for international applicants are based on need. This means that they will be examined for admission based on the students’ or parents’ ability to pay for educational expenses. International applicants who do not apply for financial aid while applying for admission (and who are accepted) will be ineligible to apply for financial help at Cornell at any point throughout their undergraduate career.  Applicants who anticipate needing financial aid at any point during their undergraduate studies at Cornell University must apply for aid at the time of application. Applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline to be considered for the university’s need-based financial aid programme. 

Cornell University Acceptance Rate

The university admissions process is quite competitive. Cornell received 67,000 applications for the spring semester of 2021 (Class of 2025); 5,863 were accepted, for an acceptable percentage of 8.7%, and enrolled. The middle 50% of SAT scores for Fall 2019 enrolling freshmen were 680-760 for evidence-based reading and writing and 720-800 for math. The ACT Composite score ranged from 32 to 35 in the middle 50%.

The university continues to recruit students who are diverse and welcoming. Self-identification as an underrepresented minority climbed to 34.2 % from 33.7 % last year, while 59.3 % self-identify as students of colour. According to enrollment officials, that number has consistently climbed over the last five years, rising from 52.5 % in 2017 to 57.2 % last year. There will be 1,163 first-generation college students among those admitted, up from 844 last year.

Important Financial Aid Information for International Citizens:

The CSS PROFILE submission deadline for all international citizens applying for financial aid always coincides with the undergraduate admissions application submission deadline announced on the Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions Office website. The candidate will not be able to retract or remove his/her CSS profile after it has been submitted.

English Language Proficiency 

To be successful in their university studies, all Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language. If English is not your first language, or if you have not completed high school in a country where English is an official language for the four years prior to your planned enrollment at Cornell, you may be required to submit results from one of the English language competence exams indicated below. In order to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement, we will consider and accept hundreds of examinations and other certifications from around the world. 

The following are examples of submissions and examinations that fit this condition, but they are not limited:

• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test)
• iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency)
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
• Duolingo English Test
• PTE Academic (Pearson’s Test of English Academic)
• C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency) 
• Initial View (IV) Assessment
• Vericant Assessment 

For admissions consideration and to be most competitive in University’s assessment process, the following minimum score standards must be met: 

• 100 and above on the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• 5.5 and above on the iTEP
• 120 and above on the Duolingo English Test
• 7.5 and above on the IELTS Academic
• 70 and above on the PTE Academic
• 191 and above on the Cambridge English Scale

Note: For any and all assessments and proxies for which Cornell University have set a minimum qualification, the minimum score requirements are given above. There is no minimum qualification if no minimum score is stated above for a specific English Language Proficiency assessment or proxy, and assessment and proxy results will be evaluated during the admissions application process. Also, note that the outcomes of these tests are not super scored. 

FAQs

This was all about the Cornell University Admission Process. If you’re thinking about kick-starting your career here or in any other university abroad and need help with the admission process, then contact our Leverage Edu experts today!