Hardest Cornell college to get into?

So, Cornell University has been on my radar for quite some time and I understand that it comprises several colleges with varied difficulty levels in terms of admissions. Could someone maybe rank them or at least tell which is considered the absolute toughest to get into? As a junior, this could really help me get realistic about my chances and where I must focus. Thanks folks!

Certainly, happy to help you with your query. Cornell University does indeed have several undergraduate colleges, each with its own unique acceptance rate.

While these rates can shift from year to year, due to institutional priorities and applicants' preferences for particular programs, the most recent data is that the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management is the toughest to get into, with an acceptance rate under 5% during the 2023-2024 cycle (compared to 8.4% for Cornell as a whole).

Some of the other schools known to be particularly selective are the colleges of Engineering (6.7%), Arts & Sciences (7.4%), and Architecture, Art & Planning (9%). The less competitive schools are the Brooks School of Public Policy (10.2%), the College of Human Ecology (12%), the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (14.5%), the Nolan School of Hotel Administration (18%), and the College of Industrial & Labor Relations (20%).

However, acceptance rates are only one piece of the picture when considering where to apply. What matters more is that the college you choose aligns with your academic and career interests. If your passion lies in Human Ecology or Industrial and Labor Relations, for instance, applying to one of those colleges would be more productive for you personally than applying to the Dyson School just because of selectivity or perceived prestige. Remember, the best fit for you is a college where you'll be able to thrive academically and personally.

Whichever Cornell college you ultimately end up applying to, if you want tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which break down how to tackle Cornell's school-specific supplemental essays - both the ones that all applicants must write, and those that are specific to each college: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-cornell-university-essays

The essays are a great opportunity to go beyond the numbers and explore your deeper intellectual and personal connection to your intended field of study. Best of luck with your application to Cornell!