Cornell Maintains Discretion. Let Your Approach Be Boldly Clear: Class of 2029
Let’s be honest: applying to a school like Cornell can feel overwhelming. You’re staring at a blank essay, wondering if your extracurriculars are enough, and trying to make sense of what really matters.
Here’s the good news: Cornell just welcomed 5,824 students into the Class of 2029—and even though they didn’t release admit rates or application totals, they told us something even more helpful.
They showed us who got in—and why.
The Common Thread? Purpose.
The students who stood out weren’t just smart. They were curious. Focused. Purpose-driven. They didn’t just join clubs or chase awards—they turned personal passions into action.
Take Amanda Roach, who researched asthma rates in low-income neighborhoods near her California hometown and published her findings in a national science journal. She’s heading to Cornell to study urban planning—because she’s already thinking about how to solve real-world problems.
Or Shaurya Patni, whose experience with Crohn’s disease led him to study immune pathways and create pollinator gardens to support environmental health. At Cornell, he’s majoring in biological sciences to keep going.
There’s Scott Zinman, who recovered from surgery, got curious about nutrition, and started teaching kids how to make healthier food choices. And Naomi Axelrod, a math-and-language whiz with a love of cryptography, Mandarin, and soccer—who’s heading to the College of Arts and Sciences to do it all.
Their stories are different. But they all did one thing: they followed their interests and built something meaningful from them.
The Key to Standing Out? Clarity.
If you’re aiming for Cornell, here’s what matters most: depth over breadth. You don’t need 20 extracurriculars or a perfect transcript—you need clarity. What excites you? What have you explored, built, or contributed to because of that interest? The strongest applications show how your curiosity connects to your academics—and to your future.
That’s especially true at Cornell, where standout students understood why it was the right fit. They saw their values reflected in programs like CALS, AAP, and Human Ecology. Start exploring early. What majors draw you in? What environment will foster your growth? Use resources like webinars and virtual content to help you better understand Cornell’s unique offerings and get a feel for the community before you apply.
Don’t overlook your testing strategy. Start by taking a diagnostic SAT or ACT to determine which exam aligns best with your strengths. From there, we’ll help you create a prep plan that enhances your academic story and supports your future goals. At Ivy Link, we guide students to build thoughtful, cohesive applications by integrating testing, academic direction, and personal storytelling. Our goal? To help you move forward with clarity, intention, and a vision for your future.
