According to university admissions consultants who spoke with CNBC, as Cornell University is under scrutiny for its handling of sexual assault allegations, some prospective applicants are reconsidering whether to apply there.
These concerns arose a few weeks before the early application deadline on November 1st at Cornell. By then, applicants must decide whether to submit their applications under a binding agreement; if admitted, they are obligated to enroll at this Ivy League school.
Amidst the public's outrage over how the so-called events of 2024 were handled and the subsequent Jane Doe lawsuits, some high school graduating class students have decided to rule out this school as a potential option for them, according to Christopher Rim, the president and CEO of the admissions consulting firm Command Education.
He said, "I originally had 9 students applying to Cornell, 4 of whom were early applicants – now the number of early applicants to Cornell is zero."
This lawsuit revolves around a civil complaint filed in September, with the plaintiff being a former student, identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe. She alleges that she was sexually assaulted in October 2024 at a frat house on Cornell's campus in Ithaca, New York State.
Co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education, Jamie Beaton, also stated that he "has seen some Cornell applicants reconsidering their applications due to concerns about campus safety and culture."
Cornell directed CNBC to the statement made by Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff on October 13th. In the statement, the university mentioned that an independent review is underway, led by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, to examine long-standing policies and practices. Meanwhile, Cornell has suspended all frat parties and social activities until the end of the remaining time of the 2026-27 academic year.
Kotlikoff stated in the declaration: "These conversations, as well as the campus protests, highlight my firm belief that we must do better: now is the time for Cornell University and campuses across the United States to achieve meaningful and lasting change."
Rim indicates that what happens next is of paramount importance. "For Cornell, it's crucial to ensure they do the right thing and truly make a difference in policy," he said, "and then they must also convince students and families that they are serious about it."
Will the number of applicants to Cornell change?
Beaton indicates that with the early application deadline so near, it may be very difficult for applicants to change their approach, as they have spent months tailoring their application materials specifically for certain colleges at Cornell University, which is a unique part of that school's application process.
He said that some applicants are “psychologically committed to it” and “are still moving forward according to the original plan, while hoping that the review of Cornell will force the school to undertake serious reforms in institutional behavior and culture.”
In some cases, early application can increase the chances of admission for applicants, but it also means there is less time to refine the application materials or compare other options. The regular application deadline for Cornell is January 2nd.
Beaton said, "Looking ahead, we expect a busy period in the short term," referring specifically to this round of application season. However, he added that the number of applicants or the enrollment rate—i.e., the proportion of students who ultimately choose to enroll after being admitted—may not see any significant changes in the long run.
He said, "Scandals at highly selective universities will not change the number of applications in a lasting manner, because the appeal of the brand, the outcomes in employment, and the strength of the alumni network are too strong."
Cornell is the Ivy League school with the largest number of undergraduate students. According to the school's independent student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun, Cornell has an acceptance rate of less than 10%, and most recently, 5,776 applicants were admitted to the class of 2030.
