Internal Transfer to Engineering

Admission to Cornell Engineering depends on:

• How well your current curriculum matches the Engineering curriculum.
• Your cumulative GPA.
• Acceptance into a major (meeting the published affiliation criteria for the major you apply to).

The more engineering courses you’ve completed—and the better your grades—the stronger your application.

It typically takes one to three semesters to meet the criteria for a major, depending on your credits and intended major.

Aim to apply during the semester you complete the required courses for your major. You must meet the published criteria for your intended major.

Departments may accept students directly into the major or offer conditional transfer.

• Students from the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can often complete these courses while staying in good standing with their current college. However, they should communicate their plans with their college.
• Students from other colleges should consult both Engineering Advising and their home college to ensure good standing and discuss conditional transfer options.

• Biological Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Environmental Engineering
• Independent Major
• Information Science Systems and Technology
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Operations Research and Engineering

For complete curriculum details, major requirements, and department contact information, refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook from the year you started at Cornell.

To be considered for internal transfer, you need to show that affiliating with a major is feasible and that you’ve successfully completed courses in mathematics, chemistry, computer science, physics, and engineering according to the Engineering Common Curriculum.

Cornell Engineering does not accept internal transfer students who are “undeclared” or unaffiliated with a major.

Before meeting with Engineering Advising, review the major’s affiliation criteria in the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook and check the Internal Transfer FAQs. Make sure to also discuss requirements for good academic standing with your current college.

To earn an undergraduate degree in engineering, you must meet residency requirements::

1. Spend at least four semesters (or an equivalent period of instruction) as a full-time student at Cornell.
2. Spend at least three semesters affiliated with an engineering major.

• First-year students can apply during their second semester if they meet the major’s affiliation requirements. Applications submitted after just one semester will be denied.
• External transfers can apply during their second semester at Cornell if they meet the major’s affiliation requirements.
• Engineering accepts applications from students through their first semester of junior year, as long as residency requirements are met. Second-semester juniors and seniors are not eligible, even if they could meet the residency requirements.
• Students on a Leave of Absence can apply for transfer after meeting their leave requirements without needing to return to their home college.

1. Review the Internal Transfer FAQs.
2. Complete the online Internal Transfer application ↗ once you have all the necessary information and meet the affiliation criteria.

• Your personal statement is a crucial part of your application. Prepare it in advance in a word file and then paste it into the online application. Consider including:
• How your interest in your intended major and college developed, and how you explored it.
• Why your intended major and college are the right fit for you, and why other options like double majors or minors aren’t sufficient.
• Your professional goals and how the college will help you achieve them.
• If you don’t meet all the transfer requirements, explain why and how you plan to fulfill them.
• Your involvement in Cornell activities, clubs, research, or community work, and how they’ve shaped you.
• Any additional information that might help the college understand your interest, such as personal or family situations, or independent study.