Cornell University College of Engineering is a great choice for anyone looking for an Ivy League engineering education. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell is known for its impressive engineering programs. This is a blessing and a curse to hopeful engineering applicants. It is a blessing because if you get in, the Engineering school offers a world-class education. It's a curse because it means that it is one of the most competitive programs to get into Cornell. And make no mistake, any program at Cornell is hard to get into.
While they don’t release specific admissions data about the College of Engineering, last year their overall acceptance rate was around 8.4%. We would bet that for engineering, it is even lower, which means if you are serious about Cornell, you need to be a top candidate. But how do you become an elite applicant? We have a couple of steps that you will need to take.
Get the Grades
Every successful Cornell application starts with an amazing transcript. You need a competitive GPA, which for Cornell is as close to 4.0 (unweighted) as possible. We know it's a lot to ask for, but it's necessary. You also need to make sure you take the right classes. This means challenging yourself (especially in your STEM classes). You should be taking as many honors, IB, AP, and/or dual enrollment classes as you can while still maintaining a high GPA. The bare minimum is completing the highest math and physics classes offered by your school, but you should go above and beyond that if you want a competitive transcript.
You will also need great test scores. Cornell is no longer test-optional for the 2026 application cycle. Last year, the 50th percentile was 1540 on the SAT or 34 on the SAT. While you should take these numbers with a slight grain of salt (Cornell was test-optional last year and only about 61% of applicants actually submitted scores), you should be shooting for similar scores, if not better.
Build a Niche
While all accepted applicants enter the Cornell University College of Engineering as “undeclared,” having a defined academic area of interest and a specific history of academic involvement in that niche is important. Ideally, it should be clear from your resume exactly what you hope to study. You will need to follow a couple of steps to craft an academic niche.
Courses and Reading
The first thing you need to do to build an academic niche is simply to figure out what you like. Ideally, this is more than just “engineering.” You should have a more defined interest. Engineering is a big field. Maybe you are super interested in mechanical engineering. Maybe electrical engineering is more your thing. The more specific you can get, the more of an expert in that study you can be. But how do you figure out what excites you in the field of engineering? You should start by learning as much as you can, and we recommend doing that (partially) by reading books. We know what you are thinking, “books? I am not an English major!” However, books are an excellent resource for learning more about your academic interests, and reading them will allow you to better discuss and write about those interests. A lot of young people don’t read books outside of school, but reading can set you apart. Outside of books, you can also check out podcasts, journal articles, and even tech blogs.
Once you have an idea of your niche, sign up for a related online class. Many colleges offer online classes (often through third-party resources like Coursera). Many of these courses are even free! They are a great resource for those looking to learn more outside of school classes. You can also look for related courses at a local community college or through high school summer programs at universities (which often offer online and in-person options). However you do it, try to explore your academic interests as much as you can!
In-School Extracurriculars
Getting involved in clubs at school is a perfect first step in building a competitive resume. However, don’t just choose any club. You should specifically look for clubs that relate to your academic interests. Great clubs for engineers often include robotics teams, computer science clubs, mathletes, science Olympiads, solar car teams, and coding teams. If your school doesn’t offer any (or many) STEM-focused clubs, ask the administration about starting one.
Once you have chosen your clubs, you need to take on leadership roles and/or responsibilities in them. Just signing up isn’t enough. You will need to commit and give some time and effort to clubs that matter to you.
Out of School Extracurriculars
In-school activities are a good jumping-off point, but you need more to impress Cornell. Great applicants engage in impressive out-of-school activities throughout the year, but summers are especially important. You need to make sure you are strategizing your summers to make sure they work for you. There are many great out-of-school extracurricular activities, but popular options for engineers include participating in an academic program at a university, undertaking an internship, and conducting research.
Just like your in-school activities, these extracurriculars should support your academic interests and niche. For example, great internships for engineers include those at engineering companies, STEM-related NGOs, and science museums. If you love to volunteer, consider joining a repair cafe or tutoring STEM subjects. The more aligned your resume is, the stronger a package you have.
Build Something Cool
Cornell is looking for students who are already working on building hard skills. Engineering requires skills ranging from soldering to computer programming. You can show your skills by challenging yourself to build something impressive. We have worked with applicants who have built computers, solar panels, drones, and much more. The sky is the limit. Make something you would be proud to tell Cornell about.
Apply Early
Last year, Cornell’s overall acceptance rate was just over 8%. However, their Early Decisions acceptance rate was slightly higher at 9.3%. It is not radically higher, but it is still the best chance of getting in for qualified candidates. If Cornell is your top choice and you are a competitive candidate, we highly recommend applying early. Don’t wait, start making a strategy to apply early. If you don’t know where to start, we can help!
Cornell is looking for motivated and experienced engineers. These steps are essential for top candidates, but they are also a lot of work. If you are feeling overwhelmed, we can help set you up for success at top engineering schools like Cornell.
Contact us today!