What makes Cornell CAS unique?

Cornell's College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) (A&S) is unique for blending a premier liberal arts education within a major research university, offering immense academic flexibility with 40+ majors/60+ minors, extensive interdisciplinary opportunities, cutting-edge research access, and a diverse community that fosters broad intellectual curiosity and hands-on exploration, all within Cornell's vibrant, resource-rich environment.

What is unique about Cornell Cals?

What makes the Cornell CALS experience different from any other college experience? Our location in Ithaca, New York, our public service mission, and our remarkably collaborative academic environment. And then, of course, there's our ice cream.

What is unique about Cornell's curriculum?

Cornell's Ingenuity curriculum is the power behind the problem-solving abilities of Cornellians. It manifests the academic flexibility and hands-on preparedness you get studying One Course At A Time.

What is special about Cornell, CS?

A global force in computing, the department drives innovation from the foundations of theory, cryptography, and programming languages to the frontiers of AI, computer vision, and computational sustainability.

What makes Cornell unique?

Cornell University's uniqueness stems from its blend of Ivy League prestige with an inclusive, egalitarian culture, a vast array of "any person, any study" academic programs (including unique ones like Agricultural Economics), its stunning Ithaca setting with outdoor opportunities, exceptional dining, and a strong sense of community, all fostering collaborative, non-stuffy environments. Its distinctive identity also comes from its mix of private and land-grant colleges (like CALS) and unique traditions like Dragon Day.
 

Why is Cornell special to you?

What makes Cornell different from other Ivies?

Cornell is unique among Ivy League schools in that it's a land-grant university. This means that Cornell University receives state funding, though it's a private institution. The university has been at the forefront of innovation since the beginning.

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What is the hardest CS class at Cornell?

Compilers was was known to be the hardest CS class at Cornell which was hard as it is.

Which ivy is best for CS?

While all Ivies offer strong CS, Cornell and Princeton are frequently cited as top contenders for their rigorous, innovative programs and resources (like Cornell Tech), often followed closely by Harvard, but the "best" depends on your focus (theory vs. applied), with CMU, Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley often ranking above Ivies overall for CS.
 

Is Cornell harder than Harvard?

Harvard is generally considered harder to get into due to its significantly lower acceptance rate (around 3-4%) compared to Cornell (around 7-8%), making it more selective upfront; however, Cornell has a reputation for being very difficult to graduate from ("hardest to get out of") with intense academics, especially in some programs, and some say Harvard has more grade inflation, meaning academic performance can be tough at both, just in different ways, with Cornell often seen as the "easiest Ivy to get into, hardest to get out of". 

What does Cornell value the most?

We value the process of discovery through learning, teaching, scholarship, and innovation to advance the University's mission, in all cases striving with integrity for excellence and purpose.

What is the #1 Ivy League school?

While rankings vary, Princeton University often holds the #1 spot among Ivies in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings, closely followed by Harvard University and Yale University, though some rankings place Harvard first, emphasizing prestige and global reputation over specific yearly national placement. All eight Ivy League schools are top-tier research universities, but Princeton consistently leads recent national lists.
 

Why Cornell CAS?

Uncommon academic diversity abounds here

Extensive work occurs outside of your major and minors, and there are no required core courses. Work closely with inspiring faculty to develop the hallmark skills of a liberal arts and sciences education – the ability to read critically, write persuasively and think broadly.

What do Cornell cals look for?

CALS seeks students who maintain a rigorous high school curriculum and demonstrate an outstanding record of academic achievement.

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "No. 1" university as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford (THE 2026) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (QS 2026) are often at the very top, with Harvard University also consistently #1 (U.S. News). Other top contenders frequently appearing include the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. 

Why is Cornell so prestigious?

Cornell's prestige stems from its status as an Ivy League university with exceptional, specialized programs (like Hotel, Vet, Architecture), rigorous academics known for tough grading, a vast and influential alumni network (Nobel laureates, Supreme Court Justices), a land-grant mission fostering diversity and accessibility, and a broad, innovative approach under its motto "Any Person, Any Study," creating a unique blend of elite research and broad opportunity.
 

What is the prettiest Ivy League?

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 are the top 5 CS schools?

1. Stanford University

• Stanford University. At the top of our list of the best computer science schools is Stanford. ...
• Carnegie Mellon University. ...
• Georgia Institute of Technology. ...
• University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. ...
• University of California—Los Angeles.
• University of California–San Diego.

Does Cornell have a good CS program?

Yes, Cornell University's Computer Science program is excellent, consistently ranked among the best in the US and the top in the Ivy League, known for its rigorous curriculum, strong research in AI, theory, and systems, top-tier faculty (including Turing Award winners), and strong career outcomes with high demand from major tech companies. It offers a deep dive into core CS topics and specialized areas, making it a powerhouse for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
 

How hard is it to get into Cornell, CS?

Due to the program's prestige and the ballooning demand for tech talent, admission to the CS major is highly competitive. Within the College of Engineering, students are directly admitted into the major, while those in the College of Arts and Sciences declare CS after meeting prerequisites.

Which is the no. 1 toughest course in the world?

The top 10 hardest courses generally include:

• Medicine (MBBS/MD)
• Engineering (Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical)
• Chartered Accountancy (CA)
• Pharmacy.
• Architecture.
• Law.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN/BSc Nursing)
• Physics.

What are the top 3 majors in Cornell?

While "top" can be subjective, the most popular majors at Cornell University consistently include Computer Science, Engineering, and Business/Management, with strong showings also in Biology, Hospitality, and Agriculture, reflecting its diverse colleges and research strengths. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Is Duke harder to get into than Cornell?

Generally, Duke is statistically harder to get into than Cornell based on lower overall acceptance rates and higher selectivity rankings, though both are extremely competitive; however, Cornell's variability in selectivity (due to its diverse colleges, including some public ones) means certain programs at Cornell (like Engineering) can be just as, or even more, difficult than Duke's, while Duke might be tougher for liberal arts, making the "harder" school dependent on your specific major. 

Which ivy is the easiest academically?

Here is a list:

1. Cornell University. Cornell is the easiest and youngest Ivy League school. ...
2. Dartmouth University. The second most accessible Ivy League school to get into is Dartmouth, established in 1769 and based in Hanover, New Hampshire. ...
3. Brown University. ...
4. University of Pennsylvania.