Cornell Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Cornell University places students on its waitlist when it cannot offer immediate admission due to enrollment limitations. By remaining on the waitlist, applicants have the opportunity to keep their application active while the university determines whether additional spots are available for the Class of 2029.
If spaces open up after the May 1 reply deadline, Cornell may extend offers of admission to some waitlisted students. The university acknowledges that the waitlist process can prolong the college admissions journey and expresses appreciation for applicants' patience as final decisions are made.
| Class Year | Cornell Waitlist Acceptance Rate |
| Cornell Class of 2029 | TBD |
| Cornell Class of 2028 | 6.27% |
| Cornell Class of 2027 | 5.87% |
| Cornell Class of 2026 | 4.7% |
| Cornell Class of 2025 | 0.41% |
Cornell Waitlist Admission Chances: What to Expect?
Cornell University has historically admitted students from its waitlist in 23 out of the last 26 years, making it more likely than some Ivy League schools to accept waitlisted applicants.
The highest number of waitlisted students admitted was 388 for the Class of 2028, followed by 362 for the Class of 2027 and 260 for the Class of 2026.
In contrast, for the Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2015, Cornell did not admit any students from the waitlist.
On average, 4.18% of waitlisted students were admitted over the last 26 years, with a slight increase to 4.24% over the last five years.
While being waitlisted does not guarantee admission, past trends show that Cornell does frequently turn to its waitlist, especially in years with lower yield rates.
How does Cornell's Waitlist Work?
When enrollment restrictions prevent Cornell University from offering rapid admission, students are placed on the waitlist. Those who choose to stay on the waitlist maintain their application open in case more slots for the Class of 2029 open up.
Although they are not assured admission, students on the waitlist might be given consideration if a spot becomes available after the university assesses its final enrollment figures.
To be considered for any open places, those who want to remain on the waitlist must affirm their interest.
Is Getting Waitlisted at Cornell Good?
With an average acceptance rate of 4.1% over the previous 25 years, Cornell University has historically admitted a small percentage of students from its waitlist; however, in recent years, this figure has slightly decreased, averaging 3.86% over the last five years.
For the Class of 2027, Cornell admitted 362 students from the waitlist, resulting in a higher-than-usual acceptance rate of 5.87%. This suggests that while the chances of admission from the waitlist remain low, they can fluctuate depending on the university's enrollment needs.
