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An ag background is definitely not necessary for admission into AEM. While it is in the school of Ag & Life Sciences, it has come far from its original form (Ag Economics). Granted, there is still an Ag Resource focus available.
What I would say to the chance of getting into the program is that it certainly has become more difficult. I entered the major in the Fall of 2004 (before it gained the amount of recognition that it has now) and saw many changes in the four years that I was there. Joining the AEM Ambassadors gave me even more insight into the direction of the program and all that's being done to improve it (and therefore gain more recognition, heighten the quality of its applicants, etc).
That being said, awkaplan is right in that there is no exact formula for admission into the AEM program. There are so many different paths available to AEM majors so take a look at the website and see where you might fit in. Then tailor your application to an area that you are most passionate about. If you have a chance to visit campus, do so and request to meet up with an AEM Ambassador so that you can get a good feel for what the AEM community is like. People are what make AEM (and Cornell) a high-quality community, so you can be sure that they are not looking only at numbers.
Also, consider majoring in another area that offers a concrete skill set that you're interested in (ie- nutrition, engineering, or whatever) and minoring in business. While I loved every minute I spent at Cornell/in the AEM program, I do occasionally wish that I had some unique skills to tout. I was and always will be a people person; didn't really need to major in business to get that. Did I learn more and refine my personal skills? Yes. Could I have done that with just a minor in business? Quite possibly. So think about that, too.
Best of luck!
Dana
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