Yes, gaining admission to Cornell University is exceptionally difficult and fiercely competitive, reflecting its status as an elite, world-class Ivy League institution. The university routinely receives upwards of 60,000 undergraduate applications for a very limited freshman class size, resulting in an acceptance rate that typically hovers between 7 and 9 percent. Admitted applicants overwhelmingly present flawless high school transcripts, rigorous AP or IB coursework, top-tier standardized test scores, and extraordinary leadership profiles.