Cornell accepted 10.3 percent out of 51,328 applicants for the incoming Class of 2022, breaking the all-time record for lowest admission rate and highest number of applicants. The accepted students, notified at 7 p.m. Wednesday, constitute the “most diverse class in university history,” according to the University.
Cornell admitted 5,288 applicants for the Class of 2022 while 6,684 students were placed on the waitlist.
Of the students accepted, 33 percent self-identify as underrepresented minorities, setting a new record for the fourth year in a row. Students of color — which include underrepresented minorities and Asian-American students — represent 54 percent of the student body.
Geographically, the prospective class represents all 50 U.S. states, in addition to Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. International students, who make up nearly nine percent of the admitted class, hail from 93 countries around the globe. Canada, China, India, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom are the top countries represented, just as last year.
Jason C. Locke, associate vice provost for enrollment, said that the incoming class reflects Cornell’s diversity and its “any person … any study” motto.
“The exceptionally large applicant pool this year produced a most remarkable class,” Locke said in a press release. “No doubt Ezra would be proud of the Class of 2022!”
Also among the admitted students are over 700 first-generation college students. About 60 total freshmen are expected to join the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences in January 2019 as the fourth class of the First-Year Spring Admission program.
“We have admitted a highly talented and accomplished Class of 2022 who will flourish as Cornellians,” said Barbara Knuth, senior vice provost. “We look forward to welcoming them into our campus community.”
Accepted students have until May 1 to accept Cornell’s offer of admission. Before then, approximately 1,800 admitted students will visit the campus during Cornell Days between April 12 and April 23, the University estimates.