Understanding Cornell University's Common Data Set

I've been looking at Cornell's Common Data Set to get a better sense of the university. There are so many numbers and statistics, it can be overwhelming. Could anyone explain how to effectively interpret the data? What should I focus on? Thank you!

Sure, happy to help with interpreting the Common Data Set (CDS)! The CDS is a valuable tool for understanding a university's student population, admission statistics, and more. Here's what to focus on:

Admissions: Section C - This is where you'll see the number of applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students. Pay attention to the admit rate, which shows how competitive the university is. Also look at the breakdown between early decision and regular decision acceptances.

Student Enrollment: Section B - It can offer insights about the size of the student body, how it's divided among the different years, and how many students are full/part-time.

Academic Offerings and Policies: Section F - Here you can see what majors and minors are most popular, along with other academic programs available.

Student Life: Section F - You can learn about the percentage of students who live on campus, Greek life participation, and other activities.

Costs: Section H - This section provides a detailed breakdown of the cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses.

Financial Aid: Section H - You can find the average financial aid package, as well as how many students receive different types of aid.

If looking to apply, measure your GPA and test scores (if the school is not test-optional or test-blind) against the averages provided in the CDS to gauge where you stand. One key thing to remember is that these are just averages, and admission decisions are based on many factors, not solely on test scores and grades.

Finally, while the CDS is helpful, it doesn’t tell the full story. A university’s culture, location, curriculum, and other qualitative aspects can’t be captured in data. So, use the CDS as one tool in conjunction with campus visits, talking to current students or alumni, and your own personal preferences and goals.