Getting into Cornell University is no easy feat. Prospective applicants must start their application planning between the eighth and ninth grades, because Cornell admissions officers evaluate freshman year transcripts to determine whether a student has chosen the most difficult academic path.

Distinctive among other top-tier Ivy League schools, Cornell has a decentralized admissions system that requires prospects to apply directly to one of its eight separate undergraduate colleges.

That means the required application essay can't be generic, but must be thoroughly researched and tailored to demonstrate why a student is an ideal candidate for admission into a specific school.

Cornell's scrutiny of high school students' choices stretches beyond rigorous academic excellence (anything less than a near-perfect unweighted GPA carrying the maximum load of AP courses is disqualifying) to include review of heavy commitment and involvement with extracurriculars.

Admissions officers expect to see years of summer internships and organizational leadership positions, with achievements at regional or national levels.

Among the 75,000 or so students who spend their entire high school years grooming their grades and activities in hopes of meeting Cornell's elite admission standards and submit an application, 92 to 93 percent get rejection letters.

Those accepted often receive substantial needs-based financial aid, but........

© Arkansas Online