Where is Cornell University?
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York. Beyond their main campus, Cornell has several satellite programs, both Cornell-run and Cornell-partnered. These include programs in Washington, D.C., New York City, Doha, Qatar, and Rome, Italy. When you consider these programs, “Where is Cornell University located?” becomes a trickier question to answer.
If you’ve researched the Cornell University ranking, you’ve likely learned Cornell is a highly regarded university, both nationally and in New York. However, not every college campus will be a great fit for every student. Given the town’s rural location in upstate New York, it’s important to understand what Ithaca is really like.
Ithaca, NY
Since its founding in 1865, Cornell has been a central part of life in the college town of Ithaca. One major destination for Cornell students is Ithaca’s Downtown Commons. Here, students and residents alike can explore over 100 independently owned shops, restaurants, galleries, and more.
However, if you’re more of an outdoorsy person, you may be wondering what Ithaca’s landscape is like. The university prides itself on the natural beauty of its immediate surroundings, especially its proximity to Cayuga Lake. So, another answer to “Where is Cornell University” is: close to beautiful state parks, hiking trails, and over 150 waterfalls and gorges.
What state is Cornell University in?
Cornell University is located in the state of New York. Given Cornell’s rural setting, you may be surprised to hear the answer to “Where is Cornell located?” So, let’s learn a little more about Cornell’s home state.
New York state is located in the northeastern U.S., near Connecticut and Pennsylvania. While New York is a large state with many large cities, the most well-known is certainly New York City. While NYC is well-known for its many top-ranked colleges, many of New York’s best universities are located outside the boroughs. These include Cornell University, the University of Rochester, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Syracuse University.
So, what’s the answer to “Where is Cornell University?” Now you know it’s New York state, not New York city. In fact, Ithaca is over 200 miles away from NYC, nearly four hours by car. For the most part, Ithaca is rather remote. If you’ve never looked at a map of New York, you might still be unsure about where exactly Ithaca is. So, just where is Cornell University located within the state?
Where is Cornell University in New York?
Cornell University is located in central New York. In-state students fortunate enough to have a car may like Ithaca because they can drive home on the weekends. However, this may only apply to students from the nearby cities of Rochester and Syracuse. If you are an out-of-state student and your parents are asking you “Where is Cornell University? How do I come visit?” you can tell them to book a flight to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.
For New York residents, this description may suffice. Answering “Where is Cornell located?” may easily conjure a mental map with estimated travel times to nearby cities. However, upstate New York is vast. For some, cities like Buffalo and Rochester may not be as familiar as larger (and more popular) cities like NYC.
Nearby big cities
So, where is Cornell University located relative to the largest cities in the Northeast? New York City, Philadelphia, and Toronto are each about 4 hours from Cornell University by car. As for other large cities, Cleveland takes about 5 hours to reach, with Boston taking just over 5 hours. Those traveling from Washington, D.C. will have a 6-hour drive to reach Cornell.
While Cornell may not be a bustling city center, for those with a car, large cities are still accessible. For students searching for colleges, location is often a heavily considered factor. You may be influenced by both the college setting and by how far away from home you’d be. Or, Cornell’s location may be a non-issue in light of its stellar academic reputation.
Is Cornell Ivy League?
Yes, Cornell is a member of the Ivy League. Founded as a sports league, the Ivy League now refers to eight elite universities in the Northeast. While the Ivy League was not originally rooted in academics, the very term today is associated with prestige. Ivy League universities are known across the U.S. and the world for their academic excellence and intense selectivity.
By the facts and figures, Cornell University is undoubtedly Ivy League material. For the Class of 2027 just under 5,000 students were admitted. While the number of applicants wasn’t released by the university yet, we can assume there were many as the last admissions cycle received over 70,000 applications. So, it’s no surprise the low Cornell acceptance rate puts it in line with other selective Ivies. Many college lists have Cornell University ranking highly amongst other top universities. Cornell ranks #12 in National Universities, #10 in Undergraduate Engineering, and #8 in Business.
You can also tell a lot from Cornell’s graduating classes. Cornell has a 96% graduation rate and high earnings among recent alumni. Moreover, Cornell is the alma mater of many famous alumni like Toni Morrison and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Since we’ve been answering the question “ Where is Cornell University?” you may be curious to know how far Cornell is from other Ivy League schools. Cornell is about 4 hours by car from Philadelphia and NYC, home to UPenn and Columbia University, respectively. To get to others, like Brown and Dartmouth, driving time ranges from 4 to 5.5 hours.
Cornell University Address
The Cornell University address is 616 Thurston Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14853. Specifically, this Cornell University address points to the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center, where Cornell admissions events take place. So, visitors asking, “Where is Cornell University located?” and looking for specific directions should use this Cornell University address.
As you can see on this map, Cornell’s Welcome Center is near the center of campus. Students who want to plan a visit can attend group campus tours starting from the Welcome Center. Otherwise, you can use this Cornell University address as a starting point to kick off your own self-guided tour!
Visiting Cornell University and Ithaca, NY
Campus visits are highly recommended for prospective applicants to gain a deeper understanding of a university. After finding an answer to, “Where is Cornell University?” students often want to learn more about campus life. An in-person (or virtual) visit is often the best way to try and imagine yourself attending Cornell. Then, you’ll have plenty to write about and be excited about as you start working on your Cornell application.
Cornell University campus tours last about 90 minutes, starting from the Welcome Center. These tours are directed by current students who can speak to Cornell traditions and history. Before visiting, tour attendees can find the Cornell University campus map online to familiarize themselves with the campus and beyond. Campus tours require advance registration, so be sure to plan ahead.
Visitors can also pick up a Cornell University campus map and take a self-guided tour. This can be a useful option for visitors who want to see particular sights or walk a certain route. While some campus buildings may not be open to visitors, a self-guided tour can provide valuable insights into campus life.
Where to stay during your visit
Cornell visitors may ask, “Where is Cornell University in respect to accommodations? Are there hotels?” Campus visitors can stay in various lodgings around Ithaca. At the on-campus Statler Hotel, Cornell University hospitality students work alongside professionals to gain hands-on experience. This hotel is promoted for its proximity to many campus attractions, like the Art Museum and the Ornithology Lab. Other nearby accommodations include independently owned and international chain hotels.
Since the answer to, “Where is Cornell University?” is the remote town of Ithaca, not everyone can visit in person. Fortunately, Cornell offers a variety of virtual visiting options, including an online information session and video tour. Virtual events are run by the Cornell Admissions Office, which can answer particular questions about their content.
Exploring Cornell University Campus
Now you’re an expert on the answer to “Where is Cornell University?” So what’s next? Once on campus, you may want to explore on your own rather than as part of a formal tour. There are tons of iconic places to visit, all of which can be found on the Cornell University campus map.
The Cornell Botanical Gardens are open from dawn to dusk in all seasons, free of charge. In addition to walking paths in the gardens, there are also various events and exhibitions. As part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Botanical Gardens educates both students and the public.
For art lovers, the Johnson Museum of Art is a free museum open Tuesday through Sunday. In addition to its permanent collection of 40,000 items, the museum also hosts exhibitions year-round. Cornell students can undertake internships with museum staff, and class sessions are sometimes held within the museum.
Finally, visitors are free to explore outdoor areas like the Arts Quad, an open field popular on fair-weather days. Near the Welcome Center is Beebe Lake, a tranquil area with walking trails frequented by students and locals alike.
Cornell Admissions
If you’ve thought about applying to Ivy League schools, chances are Cornell has crossed your mind. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University boasts over 4,000 courses, 100 academic departments, nearly 80 undergraduate majors, and over 120 minors.
With all of these options, you may feel like Cornell is the perfect place for you. If so, you’ll have to start thinking about Cornell admissions. As you consider the Cornell admissions process, you should pay attention to the Cornell University requirements. This will help you understand how to prepare a strong application.
Let’s discuss some key details about the Cornell University admissions rate.
Cornell admissions rate: what you need to know
As the Cornell admissions statistics will tell you, the Cornell admissions rate is low. As an Ivy League school, Cornell can afford to be pretty selective with the Cornell enrollment. The Cornell acceptance rate is quite low, just 7.3% for the class of 2026. As you prepare your Cornell application, keep these statistics in mind. While the Cornell admissions rate is low, this doesn’t mean you have no chance of getting in.
Many Cornell enrollment hopefuls filled out the Cornell application. Due to the low Cornell acceptance rate, less than 5,000 got in. Only fewer than 8 out of every 100 applicants were offered a spot in the Cornell enrollment. Clearly, the Cornell University admissions process is a competitive one.
However, don’t let these numbers discourage you as you begin your Cornell admissions journey. There are plenty of ways to stand out to Cornell University admissions officers. Read on as we explore how to get into Cornell, including need-to-know information like what the Cornell University requirements are, the Cornell GPA requirements, what Cornell admissions officers are looking for, and more.
What is Cornell University known for?
Founded in 1865, Cornell is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. They are a federal land-grant institution in New York State with 50 Nobel Laureates in their alumni pool.
Cornell has 16 colleges and schools, including nine undergraduate divisions. In 2019, Cornell adopted a set of core values.
Cornell’s core values are:
- Purposeful Discovery
- Free and Open Inquiry and Expression
- A Community of Belonging
- Exploration across Boundaries
- Changing Lives through Public Engagement
- Respect for the Natural Environment.
Of course, Cornell University is known for being one of eight Ivy League colleges. However, there’s a lot that sets Cornell apart from its Ivy companions. Cornell is ranked #12 in the U.S. News list of Best National Universities. However, Cornell recently became the #1 school in New York after a scandal rocked Columbia University.
Want to learn more about student life at Cornell? Check out our library of articles to read all about housing and dining, on-campus involvement, and Cornell traditions.
Cornell admissions: what are the requirements?
Now that you know a little more about Cornell University, let’s talk more about Cornell admissions. First, you should familiarize yourself with what first-year applicants need for the Cornell application. You should also make sure you understand the Cornell application deadline and the Cornell University requirements.
The Cornell application deadline for Early Decision applicants is November 1. The regular Cornell admissions deadline is January 2. You must have all your materials in the Cornell admissions portal by these dates at the latest if you want the Cornell admissions team to consider your application.
What do you need to upload to the Cornell admissions portal? First of all, you must complete the Common Application. To meet the Cornell University requirements for admission, you must also submit several important things.
Cornell admissions requirements:
- School report
- Counselor recommendation
- Two teacher evaluations
- Midyear report (when your mid-year grades are available)
- Official secondary/high school transcript
- $80 application fee or fee waiver
- Cornell University Questions and Writing Supplement (CA)
- Interviews or portfolio and design submissions (optional depending on your desired school of Cornell enrollment)
As you can see, there are a number of components to the Cornell admissions process. However, most of these are fairly standardized across all colleges, so the Cornell admissions requirements are nothing out of the ordinary.
In order to contend with the low Cornell admissions rate, you should be sure to submit all the necessary materials. You should pay close attention to the Cornell University requirements as you start the Cornell admissions process. There are no Cornell GPA requirements, but you should aim for a high GPA. You should also ensure you meet the Cornell application deadline.
Still have questions for the Cornell admissions office? Reach out to them here. Then, read up on how to ace the Cornell admissions supplemental essay and how to stand out in the Cornell admissions process. You can also watch our Cornell University admissions webinar for even more information.
Is it easier to get into Cornell Early Decision?
You may wonder if applying to Cornell University admissions Early Decision will impact the Cornell admissions rate. To give you an idea of how Early Decision impacts admissions rates, let’s break down some Cornell admissions statistics.
As we mentioned above, the Cornell acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was around 7.3%. However, this Cornell admissions rate applied to both Early and Regular Decision applicants. If we look more closely at the Cornell admissions statistics for Early Decision applicants, we see a slightly different number. For the Class of 2025, 0ut of 9,017 Cornell admissions hopefuls who applied for the Early Cornell application deadline, 1,930 were admitted. This means the ED acceptance rate was 21.4%.
However, while this number is much higher than the overall Cornell acceptance rate, statistics aren’t everything. The ED pool often includes stronger applicants who would already have a better chance in the Cornell admissions process. Cornell also does not track demonstrated interest. So, don’t think that your Cornell admissions odds are automatically higher if you apply early.
We can also use this statistic to calculate the Regular Decision Cornell acceptance rate. For the Class of 2025, the Cornell admissions rate for applicants who waited until January 2nd to send their application to the Cornell admissions office was only 6.7%.
However, before you speed through that Cornell admissions portal and hit “submit,” you need to consider a few things. Firstly, an Early Decision Cornell application will be binding. This means that if you apply and are offered an Early spot in the Cornell enrollment, you must accept. So, this may not be the best option if you’re not totally sold on Cornell or need to compare financial aid packages from other schools.
Secondly, you don’t want to rush to submit your application by the Early Cornell admissions deadline if it’s not your best work. That higher Early Cornell acceptance rate won’t matter if you submit a rushed, unpolished application to the Cornell admissions portal. You’re better off taking the time you need to make thoughtful edits. Then, you can submit it in January under the regular Cornell application deadline.
Cornell admissions process: more information
We’ve gone over the Cornell admission rate, Cornell admissions statistics, Cornell admissions portal, and even how to contact the Cornell admissions office. Now, let’s talk about another part of the Cornell University requirements: the Cornell GPA requirements.
You may believe that there’s a minimum requirement to submit your application to Cornell admissions. However, this is not true. Although the standards for Cornell University admissions are high, there are no minimum Cornell GPA requirements. Cornell admissions officers will evaluate your application based on numerous different factors, and GPA is only one part of the puzzle.
However, referring back to the official data from the Class of 2025, Cornell admissions statistics, 84.2% of the Cornell enrollment were in the top tenth of their high school graduating class. Furthermore, 96.4% of students were in the top quarter of their high school class. So, although there are no minimum Cornell GPA requirements, you should definitely strive to be at the top of your class.
Still wondering how to get into Cornell? Check out our How to Get into Cornell guide. If you want to learn more about Cornell, visit the Cornell admissions website or complete a virtual visit to see if Cornell is right for you.
Cornell admissions- final thoughts
We hope this breakdown of the Cornell University admissions process helps get you excited about your application. The Cornell admissions process is just like that of any top college. To impress Cornell admissions officers, you want to highlight your strengths by building a compelling candidate profile.
Although there’s a lot to think about, like the Cornell admissions statistics and the low Cornell acceptance rate, don’t let any of this discourage you from submitting to the Cornell admissions portal. Cornell admissions officers want to be impressed by you, so make sure you put your best foot forward in the admissions process.
