What are kids like at Cornell?

Kids at Cornell are generally ambitious, academically serious, and diverse, coming from all over the world, but they also experience significant stress and mental health challenges due to the intense workload and competitive environment, balancing this with a vibrant campus life filled with numerous clubs, research, and unique activities in a beautiful but cold, isolated setting. They are often seen as "hard-nosed" individuals capable of handling vast academic and social differences.

Are kids happy at Cornell?

On the flip side, there is an incredible, “work hard, play hard” environment in which students have fun just as much as they study. There is a lot to do between Cornell and Ithaca and Cornell students definitely find a way to make the most of both.

What is the vibe at Cornell?

Cornell's academic vibe is truly unique. People are studying everywhere on campus, whether in a cozy library nook, a bustling cafe, a quiet classroom, or even sprawled out on the famous slope under the open sky. There are numerous study spots available here, each with its own distinct charm.

Is Cornell a stressful school?

Cornell's 2020 Mental Health Report showed that about 40 percent of students were unable to function due to stress, anxiety, or depression. Although Cornell has mental health resources, some students have their own coping mechanisms to keep themselves healthy.

What type of student goes to Cornell?

Our 15,000+ undergraduate students come from all 50 states and over 120 nations. There are more than 30 religious organizations on campus, and more than 49% of our students identify as coming from a multicultural background. At Cornell, diversity and multiculturalism have been a defining focus for over 150 years.

What's it ACTUALLY like being a Cornell student? | Cindy Su Cornell ’27

Is Cornell harder than Harvard?

Harvard is generally considered harder to get into due to its lower acceptance rate (around 3-4%) compared to Cornell's (around 7-8%), making it more selective for admission. However, academic difficulty after admission is subjective, with Cornell having a reputation for being rigorous and potentially harder to graduate from in certain demanding programs (like engineering or sciences), while Harvard is known for strong academics with some perceptions of grade inflation, though both are extremely challenging. 

What personality does Cornell look for?

What the admissions team is looking for beyond the numbers is intellectual potential, strength of character, and love of learning. They want to know about each student's ability, achievements, motivation, leadership, diligence, and integrity; their sense of fairness and compassion.

Which Ivy has the happiest students?

Depends on the social environment your student is looking for. Brown and Yale tend to have the happiest students, if you trust the surveys. And Yale, Dartmouth and Princeton are reputed to have the strongest school spirit.

What do Cornell students do for fun?

Trivia nights. Local performers (comedians, psychics, and more) Visit to the Cornell Botanic Gardens, 4,000 magnificent acres of rose gardens, lovely woodland trails, waterfalls, gorges, and ponds. Trips to local coffeehouses, and the Ithaca Commons.

Is Cornell the easiest ivy?

Yes, Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" Ivy League school to get into, primarily due to its higher admission rates compared to other Ivies, stemming from its large size, diverse colleges, and broader program offerings, though it's still extremely competitive. While its acceptance rate hovers around 7-10% (varying by year), making it less selective than Harvard or Yale, it's still a top-tier, highly selective institution. 

What major is Cornell best for?

What are the best college majors at Cornell?

• Computer science.
• Biological sciences.
• Industrial and labor relations.
• Hotel administration.
• Food and agricultural business.

What do students at Cornell call themselves?

Cornell students and alumni are called Cornellians, a term that encompasses the entire university community, while the athletic teams are known as the Big Red, with an unofficial mascot of a bear named "Touchdown". So, you'll hear "Go Big Red!" at sporting events, but people are generally "Cornellians".
 

Is Cornell a dream school?

Its world-renowned programs in engineering, architecture, and hospitality, among others, are just a few reasons that many prospective students dream of attending Cornell. Like every other highly selective university and Ivy League member, Cornell has become increasingly competitive through the years.

Do people party at Cornell?

Here at Cornell University, this mentality runs deep amongst students. On Wednesdays, groups of students trek the streets of Collegetown as the clock strikes midnight for Level B's infamous, glowing fishbowls — tanks of mixed drinks accessorized with neon straws.

Which Ivy League campus is the prettiest?

1. Princeton University: Princeton's campus is renowned for its beautiful, spacious, and well-maintained grounds. Gothic and collegiate architecture dominate the landscape. Their eating clubs also add to the uniqueness of campus life.

What is the hardest college to get into at Cornell?

The hardest Cornell schools to get into are generally the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the College of Engineering, due to high application volume and selectivity, with Dyson often having the lowest acceptance rates (around 4-8%). The College of Architecture, Art, & Planning (AAP) is also very competitive, requiring strong portfolios in addition to academic stats, while some sources point to Arts & Sciences as having the most applicants overall, making it tough. 

What type of students does Cornell like?

Cornell University, like many elite schools, emphasizes a strong desire for students who have shown exceptional involvement and leadership in their activities, and who have pursued rigorous academic coursework.

What is the most beautiful Cornell campus?

Cornell University's campus in Ithaca is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the U.S. due to its stunning natural setting with gorges, waterfalls (Fall Creek & Cascadilla), and Cayuga Lake views, combined with diverse architecture from historic Gothic to modern, all highlighted by landmarks like McGraw Tower and the Botanic Gardens. It consistently ranks high on "beautiful campus" lists, praised for its unique blend of nature and academia.
 

Is Cornell a walkable campus?

Many students walk to campus from downtown, and making your way between classes on foot is easy once you know your way around. Use the Cornell Map to start familiarizing yourself with the campus.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Which is more prestigious, Cornell or NYU?

Ranking and Prestige:

Cornell ranks higher than NYU and is a member of the Ivy League.

Which ivy has the prettiest people?

1. Dartmouth College. Dartmouth's students are physically active, intelligent, and motivated. The healthy lifestyle is built into campus culture, making for a good-looking student body that photographs well in glossy marketing brochures (especially those hunky male lacrosse players!).

Is getting into Cornell impressive?

The acceptance rate at Cornell is 8.4%.

For every 100 applicants, only 8 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

What percent of Cornell is white?

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

The enrolled student population at Cornell University is 28.9% White, 18.9% Asian, 11.2% Hispanic or Latino, 5.94% Black or African American, 4.2% Two or More Races, 0.202% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.11% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

How is the student life at Cornell?

Experience a community that values critical thinking, encourages self-discovery and embraces all walks of life — all surrounded by natural majesty that will inspire your creativity and deepen your focus.