Amherst College vs Cornell University

Amherst College is the more selective of the two at 9%, versus 9% at Cornell University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Amherst College
Most selective
9%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1540
Private · Massachusetts
Cornell University
Most selective
9%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1550
Private · New York

Amherst College vs Cornell University: the differences that matter

How Amherst College and Cornell University stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Amherst College and Cornell University are almost equally selective (9% vs 9%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Amherst College leans more on application essay, recommendations, interview, while Cornell University puts more weight on class rank, standardized test scores. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Amherst College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1540 and Cornell University's is around 1550. Admitted students at Cornell University post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorAmherst CollegeCornell University
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankconsideredimportant
Standardized test scoresimportantvery important
Application essayvery importantimportant
Recommendationsvery importantimportant
Interviewimportantconsidered
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantconsidered
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Amherst College or Cornell University harder to get into?

Amherst College is harder to get into, with a 9% acceptance rate versus 9% at Cornell University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Amherst College and Cornell University?

Amherst College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1540, and Cornell University's is around 1550.

What are my chances at Amherst College and Cornell University?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.