Cornell University: insights · College Underdog

Cornell University

What Cornell University's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.

InternationalCornell University

3.6% of international applicants are admitted, against 8.4% overall.

Overall8.4%

International3.6%

Source: Cornell University's Common Data Set 2025-26

WaitlistCornell University

254 of 6,598 students who stayed on the list got in.

Admitted off the list3.8%

Not admitted96%

Source: Cornell University's Common Data Set 2025-26

MoneyCornell University

The average need-based grant is $63,023 a year, against tuition of $73,946.

Average grant$63k

Tuition$74k

Source: Cornell University's Common Data Set 2025-26

After ED, 2,499 of 3,827 seats were left for 61,041 other applicants: about one seat for every 24.
It reports meeting 100% of financial need for first-years who have need.
6,598 students stayed on the waitlist and 254 were admitted from it (3.8%).
Men were admitted at a lower rate: 9.2% for women against 7.6% for men.
Applications rose 41% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (51,324 to 72,523), faster than 60% of colleges here.

From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.

Almost all admits who posted scores had top ones, about 1500+ SAT or 34+ ACT, with GPAs of 3.8 or higher for most.
Admits who named a round split evenly between Early Decision and Regular Decision (19 each).
Many admits had research or published work, such as journal papers, university labs, national research programs and conference talks.
Many admits founded something, like a nonprofit, startup, club, accelerator business or online community.
Many admits held top leadership roles such as club president, captain or student government president, often at a state or national level.
Students report waitlist movement is slow and late: updates every few weeks, offers into July or August, 5 business days to commit, and over 8,000 waitlist offers made.
Students report Cornell is need-aware for international applicants, so asking for aid may lower chances, and aid for some admits was small or covered one year only.
Students report Early Decision brings many rejections and deferrals even for strong applicants, and some deferred applicants are later admitted in the regular round.
Students report the transfer option offers a path in as a sophomore: it needs only a short form and grades, and each college sets its own transfer rate.
Students report total cost above 100k a year, which weighs on admits comparing offers.