Requirements for Cornell

Cornell has always been my dream school, but my GPA isn't stellar. Does anyone know what GPA you typically need to get into Cornell?

Cornell University, like many top-tier universities, typically requires a strong academic record. While the exact GPA required for admission isn't officially stated, most accepted students tend to have grades that put them in the top 10% of their high school class.

The average high school GPA for accepted students at Cornell is typically around 4.07. This suggests that successful applicants typically have A-range grades and are enrolled in a rigorously challenging academic curriculum (including honors, AP, or IB level courses). However, it's important to remember that even though GPA is an important piece of your application, it is considered alongside a myriad of other factors that make up your entire academic and personal narrative.

These include strength of curriculum (it's advantageous to have taken the most rigorous courses your high school offers), standardized test scores (Cornell is test-optional for the 2024-2025 application cycle), letters of recommendation, extracurricular involvement, leadership activities, and of course, your essays.

In your essays and other application materials, you'll want to showcase your passion, dedication, and fit for the specific program you're applying to at Cornell. Each of the seven undergraduate colleges at Cornell has different strengths and themes, so conveying a strong understanding and desire to be a part of your college of choice at Cornell can sometimes even outweigh pure academic performance.

Keep in mind that individual situations can vary, and there are always exceptions to average admission statistics. There are students who get into Cornell with GPAs lower than the reported average. It's also possible to provide context for your GPA in your application, such as significant personal challenges or improvements over time. Your overall narrative and potential as demonstrated in your entire application is what will ultimately be considered.