Does Cornell Interview Applicants? Everything You Need To Know

Here’s the deal: you don’t need to worry about scheduling a personal Cornell interview for most of Cornell’s undergraduate programs—it’s neither required nor available. That said, there are a few exceptions. If you’re applying to the Architecture program in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, a video interview is a mandatory part of the application process.

So, what does Cornell offer instead of an interview? There are plenty of other ways to make your application shine. This guide breaks down the areas you can focus on, like personal essays, academic performance, and extracurricular activities. You’ll also get tips on how to make these parts of your application stand out and improve your chances of getting into Cornell.

• Does Cornell University Conduct Interviews?
• Cornell Personal and Supplemental Essays
• Cornell’s Academic Requirements
• Extracurricular Activities for Cornell
• Is It an Advantage That There Is No Cornell Interview?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Does Cornell University Conduct Interviews?

At Cornell, interviews aren’t part of the admissions process, so don’t worry—your application will still get full consideration without one. Instead, Cornell takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications.

This means they look at everything: your academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and any program-specific materials, like portfolios for art or architecture. These elements together help the admissions team understand who you are, what you’re passionate about, and how you might fit into the Cornell community.

How about Cornell’s Department of Architecture?

If you’re applying to the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) as a first-year Architecture applicant, you’ll need to complete a video interview.

For this, you’ll answer three specific questions, with each response no longer than one minute. Submit your video interview through Cornell Slideroom along with your portfolio.

Here are the questions you’ll need to answer in your Cornell video interview:

• How do you express your creativity?
• Describe the design process and impact of one of your creative projects in art, design, architecture, or activism.
• Why do you want to study architecture?

Since a Cornell interview is not available, what else can you work on?

Since Cornell doesn’t offer interviews (except for specific programs like Architecture), there are plenty of other aspects of the admissions process you can focus on to make your application stand out. Here’s a complete breakdown of what you can work on to boost your chances:

• Personal essays
• Academic performance
• Extracurricular activities

Don’t get us wrong. Cornell will review your entire application holistically. This means everything in your application portfolio will be looked into. While there’s no Cornell interview, your essays, academics, and extracurriculars provide a well-rounded view of who you are.

Essays give your application personality, academics show your capability, and extracurriculars highlight your character and impact. Focusing on these three areas will create a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other applicants.

Cornell Personal and Supplemental Essays

When you apply to Cornell, you’ll need to write one Common App essay, also known as your personal statement, plus two additional supplemental essays. One of the supplements is all about why you’re interested in Cornell overall, while the other focuses on the specific college or school you’re applying to within Cornell.

Here is Cornell’s first supplemental essay question:

We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to. Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural.

How to write your Cornell essay

Begin by introducing the community you’ve chosen and defining what it means to you. Explain why this particular group or space is meaningful, providing specific details or an anecdote that illustrates your involvement. Since there’s no Cornell interview to share these stories in person, make it personal and vivid so the reader truly understands the unique connection you have with this community.

For example, if you choose your cultural background, you might describe a tradition or event that highlights its importance in your life. If it’s an interest-based group, like a debate team, you could describe how you became involved and your role within it.

Then, focus on how this community has shaped you. Highlight the lessons you’ve learned, skills you’ve gained, or ways you’ve grown as a person. Be specific—use examples of how your experiences within this community have influenced your perspective, goals, or character.

End the essay by tying this growth to your future aspirations or how it has prepared you for life at Cornell.

Cornell’s Academic Requirements

Cornell’s academics are intensive, and your grades and course choices are key in showing admissions officers you’re up for the challenge. While there’s no Cornell interview to elaborate on your academic readiness, your transcript and course rigor speak volumes about your ability to excel.

Cornell is ranked #11 among National Universities. With an acceptance rate of 8.4%, it’s clear that demonstrating your academic readiness is crucial.

Cornell average GPA

Cornell’s average GPA is around 4.1, which gives you a pretty good idea of the high standards they’re looking for. It’s no surprise that about 82% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their class—Cornell’s admissions process is highly competitive.

If you want to boost your chances, aiming for a GPA of 4.1 or higher is a smart goal. Moreover, Cornell also looks for students who push themselves academically by taking challenging courses and stepping out of their comfort zones.

To stand out:

• Challenge yourself. Enroll in advanced classes like AP, IB, or honors courses that align with your interests. This shows you’re willing to push yourself academically.
• Show your growth. If you’ve faced challenges, focus on how you’ve improved over time. Demonstrating resilience can be just as impressive as consistent top grades.
• Highlight your achievements. Spotlight any awards, special projects, or recognition you’ve earned. These can help your application stand out and showcase what makes you unique.

Cornell SAT and ACT requirements

While there isn’t a specific formula of GPA and standardized test scores that guarantees admission, these metrics are considered alongside other factors.

Cornell is currently test-optional. If you choose to submit test scores, though, aim for results that align with Cornell’s typical range for admitted students:

To boost your chances, aim for the 75th percentile score (1550 on the SAT, 35 on the ACT), which would put you among the strongest applicants.

Prepare strategically by taking practice tests, focusing on weaker areas, and considering retaking the test if you think you can improve. If test scores aren’t your strength, emphasize other parts of your application, like essays and extracurriculars, to showcase your abilities.

Extracurricular Activities for Cornell

Your extracurriculars are a chance to show who you are beyond academics—what you’re passionate about, how you lead, and the impact you’ve made. While you won’t have a Cornell interview to discuss these in detail, your activities can highlight the energy and contributions you’ll bring to its campus community.

Here’s how you can stand out:

• Go for depth, not breadth. Focus on a few activities that really matter to you instead of trying to do it all. Highlight your leadership roles or long-term dedication to something you’re truly passionate about.
• Show your impact. Talk about the difference you’ve made. Did you launch a new project, mentor others, or create meaningful change? Be specific about your contributions.
• Tie it to your future. Connect your extracurriculars to your bigger goals. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for success at Cornell or inspired the path you’re pursuing.

When considering your academic or intellectual passion, think about how it can be a driving force in addressing one of the pressing social issues of our time.

For example, if you’re passionate about environmental science, you might explore ways to tackle climate change or reduce pollution. Similarly, if your academic interest lies in technology, you could address issues like the digital divide, cybersecurity, or consumer privacy.

You might align your passion for healthcare with affordable access, Alzheimer’s research, or lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. Other crucial areas include racial injustice, education disparity, socioeconomic inequality, and social justice initiatives, such as prison reform or homelessness. Perhaps your passion lies in urban development, where you could tackle migration, gentrification, or housing issues.

Whatever your passion, think about how it intersects with these global challenges and how you can use your knowledge and skills to contribute solutions.

Moreover, here is a list of extracurricular activities that are popular with college admissions officers:

• Regeneron ISEF Special Award
• USAMO qualification
• USPhO/USChO/USABO/USACO Semifinalist
• ARML Tiebreaker Round/Top Team
• National Speech and Debate Tournament Qualifier
• USAMTS Gold Medal
• Science Olympiad National Medal
• Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key
• USAMTS Silver
• MATHCOUNTS Nationals
• Regeneron STS Semifinalist
• National Merit Scholar
• National AP Scholar
• State AP Scholar
• Columbia Scholastic Press Medalist
• Mock Trial State Champion
• National Latin Convention 1st Places Academic Contests
• All-Eastern/All-Regional music
• National History Day winner
• Congressional Award Gold Medalist
• AIME Qualification

We dive deeper into this list and explain why aiming for Tier 1 activities can significantly impact your application.

Is It an Advantage That There Is No Cornell Interview?

Whether the absence of interviews at Cornell is an advantage really depends on how you look at it. For some, it’s a huge relief—interviews can be nerve-wracking, and not everyone thrives in a high-pressure, face-to-face situation.

Without a Cornell interview, you can focus entirely on building a strong application that highlights your strengths, experiences, and personality in ways that you have full control over. It also creates a more level playing field since not everyone has the same access to interview prep or resources.

On the flip side, if you’re someone who lights up in person and loves talking about your passions, not having an interview might feel like a missed chance to stand out. That said, Cornell compensates for this by placing a lot of emphasis on other parts of your application, like your essays, recommendation letters, and the overall story you’re telling.

These components give you plenty of opportunities to express yourself and show what makes you unique. So, while Cornell doesn’t include interviews in the admissions process, you still have ample ways to leave a lasting impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a Cornell interview still being offered to undergraduate applicants?

Cornell University does not offer personal interviews for most undergraduate applicants. However, if you’re applying to the Architecture program in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, a video interview is required.

2. How many supplemental essays does Cornell require?

Cornell University requires two supplemental essays for first-year applicants. The first is a general essay about how a meaningful community has shaped you, giving insight into your values and experiences. The second is specific to the college or school you’re applying to, where you’ll explain your interest in your chosen field and how it aligns with Cornell’s offerings

3. Is Cornell hard to get into?

Yes, Cornell is considered hard to get into. As part of the Ivy League, it has a highly competitive admissions process. With an acceptance rate of around 8% in recent years, getting in requires strong academic performance, compelling essays, meaningful extracurricular involvement, and a clear fit with the specific college or school within Cornell.

Takeaways

Cornell looks at the whole picture—academic achievements, personal essays, extracurriculars, and recommendation letters—to ensure applicants are evaluated based on their unique backgrounds and potential.

• Cornell doesn’t require interviews for most undergraduate applicants, which allows you to focus on other parts of your application. For those applying to the Architecture program, a video interview is an exception and a chance to share creativity and goals.
• Strong personal and supplemental essays are important. They allow you to share your story, reflect on meaningful experiences, and explain your fit for Cornell. These essays are often make-or-break elements in a competitive admissions process.
• Cornell values meaningful involvement over a long list of activities. Demonstrating leadership, commitment, and your impact in your chosen extracurriculars helps showcase your character and potential contributions to the campus community.
• Dreaming of joining Cornell’s prestigious community? Gaining admission to such a competitive school is no small feat. Partner with a college admissions expert to guide you through the rigorous process and give yourself the best chance of success.