Considering Cornell Engineering

How to Prepare in High School

The curriculum at Cornell Engineering is demanding and we want to make sure our students are prepared for the challenge. We look for students who have increasingly challenged themselves in high school while maintaining a strong GPA. We have math and science requirements to ensure you will enter our program prepared for the core curriculum. Admissions counselors will look at your coursework, grades and test scores to determine whether you are ready for Cornell Engineering.

Cornell University has extended its suspension of SAT/ACT requirements 2025 first-year applicants.

Required Coursework

Cornell Engineering requires the completion of the following math and sciences classes prior to high school graduation. A unit is equivalent to one academic year of study.

• 4 units of mathematics, including 1 of calculus
• 1 unit of physics (Taking physics in the latter part of your high school career is beneficial as you will be required to take one semester of physics in your first year at Cornell.)
• 1 unit of chemistry

The following courses are recommended but not required:

• computer science
• 1 unit of biology

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge A-Levels

If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses or has an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, we encourage you to take advantage of these classes. If you are successful in these courses, you are likely to be successful at Cornell Engineering. We will award credit for certain AP and IB classes based on your exam results.

Dual Enrollment

Increasingly, high schools partner with local colleges to offer dual enrollment courses (courses taught at the high school but are awarded college credit). This is another opportunity for you to challenge yourself although Cornell Engineering will not award credit for these classes.

Some enterprising students take courses at their local colleges and universities as non-matriculating students in order to broaden their academic experience and gain insight into the college experience. Cornell Engineering will consider awarding credit for courses taken at local colleges if the classes are part of our required curriculum. Credit evaluation for these classes happens only after you have been accepted and matriculated into Cornell Engineering. Please note, however, that in order to qualify for transfer credit, the course cannot be used to fulfill high school graduation requirements, must be taken on a college campus, taught by college faculty, and enrollment in the class(es) cannot be limited to high school students. 

Standardized Testing

For first-year students applying to Cornell Engineering for fall 2025 enrollment, SAT/ACT test scores are not required but are recommended. For enrollment in fall 2026 and beyond, first-year students applying to all Cornell undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores.

International applicants must show English language proficiency. You do not need to take an English proficiency exam if:

• you achieve a score of 650 or above on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Test, OR
• you achieve a score of 30 or higher on both the ACT Reading and English Sections, OR
• you have studied your most recent 4 years in the U.S. or other nations where English is an official language.

To waive the English proficiency exam, submit our English Language Proficiency Form which will be available in your application portal once you submit an application.

Please note that Cornell does NOT waive the English language proficiency requirement for students who have attended an English-speaking school in a non-English speaking country. We will consider and accept dozens of examinations and other qualifications from around the world to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement.

High School Information

We know no two high schools are the same, and your ability to take advanced courses may be limited by the school you attend. Worry not — our counselors are familiar with the schools in their assigned regions. Additionally, each school provides a school profile that explains what courses are offered, any limits on the number of advanced classes you can take, and information about grading. We assess your work within the context of your high school and the resources available to you.

Extracurricular Activities

Engagement outside of the classroom is just as important as your performance in school. On your application, your involvement in extracurricular activities acquaints us with your passions and your ability to balance work and play — it gives us a clearer picture of who you are. There is no right or wrong activity. Do what you love. Pursue what is interesting to you. Our students represent an unlimited breadth of interests — building rockets and robots, bagpipe playing, teaching Sanskrit, championship logrolling, managing theater companies and more! If you are genuine in your pursuits, your sincerity and originality will shine through on your application.

Homeschool Students

Each year a small percentage of applications come from homeschooled students. In order to understand and appreciate the depth and variety of the homeschool experience, the admissions selection committee requires the following information for all four years prior to entering college:

• English: list of books (including all textbooks and other anthologies) you have read each year; how many papers and how long (indicate which are creative and which are expository writing); any research papers (list titles and length of each).
• Social Studies: list of textbooks and books you have read each year; how many papers (topics listed) and how long; independent research projects (titles and lengths).
• Foreign Language: list of textbooks you have read each year; list of projects and/or papers; descriptions and dates of visits to other countries.
• Science: textbooks you have used each year (description of topics covered if you did not use a textbook or only used part of the book); list of experiments and/or field trips; any projects or research done (titles and time spent).
• Mathematics: textbooks (covering which topics) you have used each year; any independent projects (titles and time spent).

We ask that applicants provide an official high school transcript if available, as well as transcripts from any college courses you may have taken. You should also send information on independent projects, laboratory experiences, research projects, etc. In addition, you may submit scores from any standardized examinations (state, SATs, ACTs, APs).

Transfer Students

Are you currently attending another institution of higher education? If you have graduated from high school and have earned twelve or more credits, or have matriculated, at a college or university then are considered a transfer student. We encourage you to review our transfer pages, which will guide you through the classes required and application process for transferring to Cornell Engineering.

Visit

College choice is, of course, more than a matter of rankings and statistics. You must ask yourself, “Where could I be happy for the next four-years?” Whenever possible, try to visit the schools that you are considering.

Importantly, Cornell University does not track demonstrated interest. Visiting campus is neither required nor expected of applicants. Students can articulate their fit and interest in the College of Engineering through the Cornell-specific supplemental essays in their application. 

Cornell's Ithaca campus is open to visitors, however, certain public health restrictions remain in place. We regret that due to campus COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to welcome visitors into our classrooms at this time. Visitor Relations will continue to offer both recorded and virtual live-streamed campus tours.

We have created a Virtual Visit for prospective students and their families. Included in the Virtual Visit is an online version of our engineering-specific information session.

Explore our Website

We understand not everyone can visit, so there is a wealth of information available on our website. We invite you to spend some time exploring.

Virtual Visit