Hi all! I'm looking into Cornell University, and I’m keen to find out more about their student demographics. Can anyone help me understand their diversity? Are they strong on inclusion, or is it more of a homogeneous environment over there?
Cornell University values diversity and appreciates a range of viewpoints. They have a relatively diverse environment, but as with any college, each individual's experience can vary.
Cornell's undergraduate population is approximately 31% White, 25% Asian, 14% Hispanic/Latino, and 7% Black/African-American, with the remaining students identifying as multiracial, native, or not providing their ethnic information. About one-third of the student population are ethnic minorities, constituting a quite cosmopolitan environment.
When it comes to gender, Cornell is evenly split with approximately a 46:54 male to female ratio. Around 10% of the cohort are international students, hailing from over 100 countries which further contributes to the diversity on campus.
With regard to inclusion, Cornell University runs various programs tailored towards fostering a nurturing, welcoming environment for diverse groups. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion aims to educate and foster dialog on diversity-related issues.
There's also a suite of pre-freshman summer programs like the Pre-Freshman Summer Program in Agriculture and Life Sciences (PSP-ALS) for students from underrepresented backgrounds to acclimate to the college environment.
Keep in mind though that these are just statistics. Understanding a college's atmosphere of inclusion goes beyond metrics, it also involves student attitudes, faculty sensitivity, and campus policies. It can be helpful to speak with current students or alum to really get a sense of how diverse and inclusive you will actually find the environment at the school.
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