Enrollment hits high

Cornell set a record for enrollment this year with 1,191 students. Cornell also received a record number of applicants for the eighth consecutive year. Students from all 50 states and more than a dozen nations applied for admission—4,184 in all.

The record-setting enrollment is a milestone, and Interim President Jim Brown said the college is carefully considering the merits of increasing enrollment to 1,300, but that depends on finding more places to house students. This year every bed the college has to offer is occupied. Even with the increase in enrollment, though, the faculty to student ratio that Cornell prides itself on has stayed the same.

The high enrollment is proof of the college’s success, said Jonathan Stroud, vice president for enrollment. “Cornell’s appeal as one of the nation’s finest, most distinctive, and affordable selective colleges is clear, especially during the current economic downturn,” he said.

New students come from 41 states. The top 10 states are Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arizona, and Oregon.

12% were class presidents
18% were captains of a sport
5% were editors of newspapers or yearbooks
30% are varsity student athletes
30% are involved in music
15% are involved in theater and nearly 66% were involved in community service