Cornell University
OVERVIEW
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in New York which receives annual funding from the local government. Its motto is “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” As one of the Ivy League universities, Cornell is most selective with its acceptance rate being 18.4%.
Cornell University was first established in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White with the initial intention of contributing in all fields of knowledge-from the classics to the sciences, and from the theoretical to the applied. Located in Ithaca, New York, with a big campus of 745 acres, the university is famous for its many options, amenities, and recreational and learning opportunities offered.
Cornell University offers degrees in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate’s programs as well as combined-degree programs, like BArch/BA; BFA/BA and more. The average freshman retention rate is 96%, which is obviously a satisfying number, and averagely as many as 86% of the students in Cornell University finished their four years’ study and managed to graduate with a degree.
The mission of Cornell University is:
Cornell’s mission is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge; produce creative work; and promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community. Cornell also aims, through public service, to enhance the lives and livelihoods of our students, the people of New York, and others around the world.
ACCREDITATION
Cornell University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1921 and there are 21 programs which have specialized or professional accreditation at Cornell.
ACADEMICS
Cornell University has seven undergraduate schools:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Engineering
- School of Hotel Administration
- College of Human Ecology
- School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR)
The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:
- Engineering
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Social Sciences
The university is ranked No.15 among all national universities by US News.
With the student-faculty ratio being 11:1 and 54.2% of all classes having less than 20 students, Cornell University has enough professors for students so that every one of them can be well instructed.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the university are required to provide either their SAT or ACT scores before January 1 and admission interview is neither required nor recommended. The early decision will be due on November 1 and the deadline of application will be January 1. The application fee is USD 70 and working experiences usually give applicants extra advantages.
COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID
The tuitions and fees for year 2011-2012 is USD 41,541. The room and board fee is USD 13,160. Students averagely spend USD 800 on books and supplies.
Cornell University offers both scholarships and financial aids. There are five types of need-based scholarships/grants, from Federal PELL to college/university gift aid and institutional funds, which on average award undergraduates with USD 34,757. This university provides eight types of loans for students in order to meed their different needs. The average financial aid package for full-time freshmen is $39,678 and about 52% of the students get financial aid, all of their need being fully met. Cornell also provides part-time job opportunities in order to help students earn their tuitions.
