It’s no secret that entrance into Cornell (or any Ivy League) requires a high ACT/SAT score. Not that a high test score guarantees an automatic acceptance – far from it. But a low test score, or not submitting test scores at all, drastically reduces your chances of ever getting in. But what exactly is a high test score? Why are ACT/SAT scores so pivotal to getting into Cornell? More importantly, what ACT or SAT score do you or your student earn to get into Cornell?
Keep reading, and you’ll learn the answers to those questions and more.
This series continues our discussion of Ivy League ACT/SAT requirements. Our last post discussed UPenn’s status on submitting test scores. This article will cover the ins and outs of Cornell University’s ACT and SAT Requirements.
What are Cornell’s SAT Requirements?
In the early days of the Pandemic, Cornell became the first Ivy League College not to require test scores.[1] Since 2021, they’ve made submitting test scores “optional” for applying first-year students until the applicants of the college class of 2026. For most students, that changes things admissions-wise for students now applying to Cornell. According to a 2022 Institute of Education Sciences report,[2] 51% of accepted students submitted test scores. Moreover, the remaining 49%. Thus, about half of their admitted students got into one of the most selective universities in the world without submitting scores. But now, things are very different.
Is Cornell Test Optional?
Because of the class of 2026 update, Cornell is no longer test-optional. Students in the class of 2026 and after must submit their ACT or SAT scores to apply to Cornell. This is a clear policy change that you need to be aware of and it’s important for your application strategy. Hence, Cornell is no longer test-optional. You’ll need to submit your ACT or SAT scores just to apply.
Why is Cornell No Longer Test-Optional?
For most admissions gurus, Cornell dropping its test-optional policy comes as no surprise. Loads of research shows that while test scores don’t necessarily predict college success, it’s a powerful indicator of college readiness.[3][4][5] Cornell itself acknowledges this on its student-facing website:
Based on evidence from a multi-year study conducted by the university’s Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions… applicants to all eight Cornell undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores…
Though standardized test scores are imperfect measures of a student’s aptitude and potential, the data suggests that when taken in context, these scores provide valuable insights into a student’s potential for academic success while at Cornell, and thereby help to ensure that admitted students are likely to thrive academically.[6]
While Cornell was test-optional, it still self-identified as a “Test Recommended” college. Former UPenn admissions officer Dr. Aviva Legatt called this “Test-preferred.”[7][8] Semantics aside, their language changed as Ivy League colleges like Cornell adopted test-optional admissions policies. These prestigious universities told students and families that not submitting test scores wouldn’t hurt their chances of acceptance. Ironically, Cornell still identified itself as “test recommended” on its website (see below).
Cornell will be test-recommended for students applying in fall 2024 to enroll for fall 2025.[9]
But this leads us to the next question. As I’ve written before, Test-optional is not the same as Test-Blind. So, because Cornell isn’t test-optional, does that mean its few test-blind colleges are no longer test-blind?
Is Cornell Test Blind?
Cornell lauded itself as one of the few Ivy League Schools that used a Test Blind Admissions Policy for students applying to four of their programs. On their Standardized Testing Policy landing page, we read the following:
Cornell colleges that will not use test scores in the admission process for students applying to enroll for fall 2025:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
- Cornell SC Johnson College of Business – Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
- Cornell SC Johnson College of Business – Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration[10]
So, is Cornell test blind? Or, is Cornell still test blind for at least one of its Colleges? For better or worse, Cornell is no longer test-blind. From the same article by Cornell Chronicle, we read the following statement that doesn’t mince words:
All eight Cornell undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores.[11]
Hence, if you apply to Cornell, you must submit test scores. So, what kind of test scores do you need to get into Cornell?
What is the average SAT score at Cornell University?
To attend Cornell, you must earn a near-perfect score on the SAT. And even then, you still might not get in. However, a low score will prohibit you from being accepted. The table below, based on the US News rankings, shows the average SAT score range for their admitted students:
| SAT Score Range (1600 scale) | Percentage of Students |
| 1400–1600 | 95.83% |
| 1200–1399 | 4.02% |
| 1000–1199 | 0.15% |
| 800–999 | 0% |
| 600–799 | 0% |
| 400–599 | 0% |
As you can see, nearly 96% of their admitted students score above 1400 on the Digital SAT.
What, then, is the average score? It’s complicated. Despite claims from other websites, Cornell doesn’t report or release this data in great detail. Even Cornell’s own Profile of Class 2025 Report only reports their test score data from 2021.[12] That’s problematic because standardized testing has changed since 2021. The SAT now uses a digital format with adaptive questioning. The ACT has made its science sectional optional for students and shortened the remaining sections. Furthermore, the year 2021 was in the middle of a global pandemic. Much has changed.
Therefore, we’re left with what they report to different organizations and the occasional education study. Based on the latest information available, Cornell’s average SAT score sits around 1520, according to the latest report by the US News rankings (see below).
Half the applicants admitted to Cornell University who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 1480 and 1560…. However, one-quarter of admitted applicants achieved scores above these ranges and one-quarter scored below these ranges.[13]
If you like your numbers in tables or spreadsheets, check out the table below:
| Percentage of Students | SAT Score Range |
| Middle 50% | 1480–1560 |
| Top 25% | Above 1560 |
| Bottom 25% | Below 1480 |
Remember, though, that these average SAT scores were extrapolated through the data that Cornell shared with US News and then what US News shared with us. Other reports tell a different story. For example, the College Board reports that Cornell’s average SAT score ranges between 1480-1550. According to their report, the top 75% drops ten points from the US News Report (1560). The best we can do is guess that you’ll likely need a score of 1520 or higher to get into Cornell.
What is the Average SAT Reading Writing Score at Cornell?
The average SAT English score at Cornell, represented by the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section, falls within the 720–770 range out of 800. This range reflects the scores of the middle 50% of admitted students as reported by the College Board.[14] For example, consider the bullets below:
- Top 25% of admitted students: Likely scored above 770.
- Bottom 25% of admitted students: Scored below 720.
- Midpoint 50% of admitted students: Likely scored 745.
Given that the midpoint of this range is 745, we estimate this to be the approximate average SAT English score. A strong performance in this section demonstrates a student’s ability to read critically, comprehend complex texts, and write effectively—key skills for success at an Ivy League institution like Cornell. They expect this from their applicants and more of their students, even if they’re STEM-focused: engineering, computer science, pre-med, or architecture majors.
To maximize your chances of admission, aim for a score closer to the top of this range (770 or higher) to remain competitive with other applicants. I know, it’s easier said than done. But this is the Ivy League; you wouldn’t even be reading this article if you expected an easy road.
What is the Average SAT Math Score at Cornell?
Cornell’s average SAT Math score is slightly higher than the English section. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 760–790 out of 800. As you can imagine, these data points communicate to Cornell’s aspiring students that applicants admitted to Cornell generally excel in quantitative reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills (Shocker, I know).
Consider the bullets below:
- Top 25% of admitted students: Likely scored above 790.
- Bottom 25% of admitted students: Scored below 760.
- Midpoint 50% of admitted students: Likely scored 775
The midpoint of this range is 775. Some obvious but tragic math tells us that’s merely 25 points below a perfect score on the Digital SAT’s Math Section. Hence, Cornell emphasizes and expects academic rigor from its current and aspiring students. Even if you (or your student) desire to major in English at Cornell, you must still show aptitude in fields requiring strong mathematical aptitude, such as engineering, economics, and the physical sciences. So, at Cornell, even their poets can theoretically navigate the fields of calculus and chemistry with relative fluency.
If you’re preparing for the SAT and aiming for Cornell, focus on mastering advanced math concepts and problem-solving techniques to ensure your score is competitive, ideally above the 775 average. Obviously, this is no small feat; in fact, it’s a certifiably difficult one. But then again, if you’re truly attempting to go to Cornell, you need to realistically understand what’s expected of you academically. If you score a 725, countless other applicants will have a 750 and probably a higher GPA. Thus, make yourself as competitive as possible by scoring as high as possible (again, easier said than done).
What’s a good SAT score to get into Cornell?
If we average the scores above, you’re looking at aiming for the following SAT scores:
- SAT Math Score: 775
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) Score: 745
- SAT Composite: 1520
However, here’s where things get murky. Must you score the numbers above to get into Cornell? Not exactly, but your chances are exponentially higher if you do. Your extracurriculars matter more than you think, especially the ones you do outside school. There’s also the matter of AP tests, which also help. Finally, your application essays shape the impression you make to school. Yet, while a great essay can heal the sick, it can’t raise the dead. Your test scores illustrate to Cornell that you can perform academic feats under the pressure of time constraints and high stakes. Thus, ensure you raise your test scores to join the ranks of Cornell’s Big Red Bears.
Will Cornell Superscore my SAT scores?
Super scoring is an ACT term many SAT takers adopted. It involves sending Universities your test Reading and Math scores from multiple tests. Many universities do this, but colleges like George Town and Arizona State,[15][16] do not. Fortunately, Cornell will superscore your SAT results (see below).
Applicant results will be superscored to combine your highest subsections. For the SAT, you can use Score Choice, but Cornell recommends sending all SAT scores.[17]
Cornell recommends you send all your SAT scores. Consequently, it’s in your best interest to follow their instructions. So, while their test policy website claims it will consider your highest test scores, Cornell, nonetheless, wants to see all of them.
What’s Cornell’s SAT Code?
Cornell’s official SAT Test Code is 2098. You’ll use this test code when you take the SAT and send your scores to your desired universities.
What is the Average ACT Score at Cornell?
Your ACT score needs to be among the best to get into Cornell. According to the official Profile: Class of 2025 First-Year Students published by Cornell University’s Institutional Research and Planning office, 50% of admitted students scored between 33–35 on the ACT Composite. Here’s what that means:
- Top 25% of admitted students: Scored 35 or higher.
- Bottom 25% of admitted students: Scored 33 or lower.
- Midpoint 50% of admitted students: Scored 34, which is the median ACT Composite score for the incoming class.
This data illustrates how competitive ACT scores are for students hoping to earn a spot at Cornell. While a score of 34 places you at the median, scoring 35 or higher gives you a strong advantage in standing out among thousands of applicants. But if that were easy, everyone would do it.
What Percentage of Cornell Students Submit ACT Scores?
The Class of 2025 Profile also shows that 19.7% of enrolling students submitted ACT scores, significantly lower than the percentage submitting SAT scores (40.8%). However, that doesn’t mean Cornell prefers the SAT. Remember, the State of New York publicly funds part of Cornell University. In New York, more students take the SAT than the ACT because the College Board woven its test more into the schools of the Northeast than the ACT.
Nevertheless, a strong ACT score—especially in the top 25% range—helps your application. I’ve worked with students who have gotten into Cornell and taken both.
Does Cornell Superscore the ACT?
Officially, yes, Cornell superscores the ACT. This means they claim they will combine your highest scores from each ACT section (English, Math, Reading, and Science) across multiple test dates to create your best possible composite score. (see Cornell’s test policy statement)
Applicant results will be superscored to combine your highest subsections.[18]
Theoretically, if you score higher in Math on one test date and higher in English on another, Cornell will take those top scores and use them to calculate your best composite score.
However, Cornell recommends that you submit all your scores. This puzzles me. If they claim they superscore, why can’t the ACT or College Board only send Cornell a student’s highest test scores instead of all of them? According to Cornell, they create a super score for their applicants.
I take the most conservative approach when advising students about Ivy League colleges. Cornell’s super-scoring policy gives them a lot of wiggle room in evaluating their students’ ACT scores. Thus, while they claim to allow super-scoring, I assume they value high composite scores that aren’t super-scored.
What is Cornell’s ACT Test Code
Cornell’s official ACT code is 2726. Use that code when submitting your scores to Cornell.
What’s a Good ACT Score to Get Into Cornell?
Based on the available data:
- ACT Composite Score to Be Competitive: 33–34
- ACT Composite Score to Stand Out: 35+
A score of 33 places you in the bottom of Cornell’s middle 50% range, while a score of 34 is right at the median. Scoring 35 or higher puts you in the top 25% of admitted students, significantly improving your chances.
But remember, Cornell’s admissions process is holistic. While test scores matter, your essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and academic rigor are critical in convincing their admissions team of the value you could add to their school. However, test scores matter, and you won’t get in without a competitive score on the ACT.
Cornell Admissions FAQs
While this article centers on Cornell’s testing policies and data, below are more questions about Cornell’s general admissions policies.
Is Cornell an Ivy League?
Yes. Cornell is an Ivy League, along with Columbia, UPenn, Brown, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth.[19]
What’s Cornell’s Acceptance Rate?
It’s low, coming in at a meager 8%.[20] To give context to that, 8% makes it one of the most competitive universities in the world. In fact, it’s the 22nd in line of colleges with the lowest acceptance rate (If you’re curious, Cal Tech has the lowest).[21]
Where is Cornell located?
Cornell is in the small but bustling town of Ithica, New York. Much of the city’s life revolves around the campus, which is not an urban campus. However, many outdoor activities can be found just outside the campus.
What are the different colleges at Cornell?
Cornell University comprises the following undergraduate colleges and schools:[22]
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS): Focuses on agricultural sciences, biological sciences, environmental sciences, and applied economics.
- College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP): Offers architecture, art, and city and regional planning programs.
- College of Arts and Sciences (A&S): The largest undergraduate college, encompassing humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: Comprises the School of Hotel Administration and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.
- College of Engineering: Offers a variety of engineering programs, including biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering.
- College of Human Ecology: Focuses on human development, nutrition, design, and public policy.
- School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR): Offers programs in industrial and labor relations, including collective bargaining, labor economics, and human resource management.
- Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy: Focuses on public policy analysis, program evaluation, and public administration.
How many students attend Cornell?
As of Fall 2023, Cornell University has approximately 26,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students.[23]
What’s the student-to-faculty ratio at Cornell?
Cornell University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1. That’s a powerful number that demonstrates how accessible the faculty is to their students on average for each class.[24]
What’s the graduation rate at Cornell?
Cornell University has a six-year graduation rate of 94%.[25] Some parents I work with consider Cornell’s graduate rate worth the cost of Cornell’s expensive tuition price.
What are Cornell’s GPA requirements?
Cornell University does not have a specific GPA requirement for admission. However, the average GPA of admitted students is typically around 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.
Conclusion
Well, folks, now you know. Whether you’re a student or a parent, consider yourself informed about Cornell’s ACT/SAT requirements. If you love and hate college admissions as much as I do, consider subscribing to our newsletter, where we discuss trends in college admissions, career planning, and test prep.
Happy testing!
-Marc
References
[1] Manya Group. “Cornell University Becomes the First Ivy League University to Make SAT/ACT Optional for One Year.” Manya Group, https://www.manyagroup.com/news/cornell-university-becomes-the-first-ivy-league-university-to-make-sat-act-optional-for-one-year/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[2]Cornell University Institutional Research and Planning. Profile of the 2018 Freshman Class. Cornell University, Aug. 2018, https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Profile2018-Freshmen2.pdf. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[3] Hattie, John. Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Related to Achievement. Routledge, 2008.
[4] Sackett, Paul R., and Nathan R. Kuncel. “Eight Myths About Standardized Admissions Testing.” Measuring Success: Testing, Grades, and the Future of College Admissions, edited by Jack Buckley et al., Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018, pp. 13-39.
[5] National Test Prep Association. “How Standardized Testing Benefits Society.” National Test Prep Association, https://nationaltestprep.org/how-standardized-testing-benefits-society/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[6] Dean, James. “Cornell to Reinstate Standardized Test Requirements for Fall 2026.” Cornell Chronicle, 2024, https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2024/04/cornell-reinstate-standardized-test-requirements-fall-2026. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[7] Legatt, Aviva. “The Half Truth Behind Test Optional Policies at Harvard, Cornell and Others.” Ivy Insight, https://ivyinsight.com/the-half-truth-behind-test-optional-policies-at-harvard-cornell-and-others/. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[8] Inquirer Editorial Board. “College Admissions Tests: Optional, Blind, or Required?” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 July 2021, https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/college-admissions-tests-optional-blind-sat-act-20210726.html. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[9] Cornell University. “Standardized Testing Policy | Undergraduate Admissions.” Cornell Admissions, https://admissions.cornell.edu/policies/standardized-testing-policy. Accessed 20 January 2025.
[10]Ibid
[11] Dean, James. “Cornell to Reinstate Standardized Test Requirements for Fall 2026.” Cornell Chronicle, 2024, https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2024/04/cornell-reinstate-standardized-test-requirements-fall-2026. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
[12] “Profile: Class of 2025 First-Year Students.” Cornell University Institutional Research and Planning, https://irp.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Profile2021-first-year.pdf. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[13] US News & World Report. “Cornell University Admissions – US News Best Colleges.” USNews.com, https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/cornell-university-2711/applying. Accessed 20 January 2025.
[14] “Cornell University Admissions.” BigFuture, College Board, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/cornell-university/admissions. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[15] “Which Colleges Don’t Superscore?” CollegeVine, https://www.collegevine.com/faq/22720/which-colleges-don-t-superscore. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[16] Robinovitz, Judi. “Colleges that Do NOT Superscore the SAT — Score At The Top.” Score At The Top, 17 August 2024, https://www.scoreatthetop.com/blog/colleges-that-do-not-superscore-the-sat. Accessed 21 January 2025.
[17] Cornell University. “Standardized Testing Policy | Undergraduate Admissions.” Cornell Admissions, https://admissions.cornell.edu/policies/standardized-testing-policy. Accessed 20 January 2025.
[18] Ibid
[19] “Ivy League Schools.” U.S. News & World Report, 23 Sept. 2024, https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/ivy-league-schools. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[20] College Board. “Cornell University Admissions – BigFuture College Search.” BigFuture, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/cornell-university/admissions. Accessed 21 January 2025.
[21] US News. “2025 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates | US News Rankings.” USNews.com, https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/lowest-acceptance-rate. Accessed 21 January 2025.
[22] “Colleges and Schools.” Cornell University, https://www.cornell.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools.cfm. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[23] “Student Enrollment.” Cornell University Factbook, https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/university-factbook/student-enrollment. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[24] “What Is Cornell’s Student-to-Faculty Ratio?” Cornell University Enrollment FAQ, https://faq.enrollment.cornell.edu/kb/article/222-what-is-cornell-s-student-to-faculty-ratio. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
[25] “Graduation Rates.” Cornell University Factbook, https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/tableau_visual/graduation-rates. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
