M.Eng. Frequently Asked Questions

The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) is a professional graduate degree, typically completed in two or three semesters, that can accelerate a career and boost earning potential. The 30-credit degree offers opportunities for industry engagement, professional development, and hands-on practical projects as part of an individually tailored curriculum that is designed to prepare students for successful careers in industry.

Cornell offers stand-alone Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs. The research-based degree requires two years of study. The degree includes advanced level coursework, with a primary focus on research, culminating in the writing and defense of an M.S. Thesis. This type of degree program is for students who intend to pursue a research-based career, or, potentially opt to go on to pursue a Ph.D.

Although a strong technical foundation is essential, it is possible to meet the pre-requisites for many M.Eng. programs without an undergraduate degree in engineering. Contact the specific M.Eng. program or visit their website for further information on admissions requirements.

Cornell Master of Engineering on-campus students are subject to the Tier 1 Master’s degree tuition rate. Distance Learning students are charged per credit. See Office of the Bursar ↗ for current M.Eng. tuition and fees.

At any point in time, you may submit only one graduate application to Cornell for consideration. Where indicated on your application, you may list a second-choice field of study or program. If you do not receive an offer of admission from your first-choice program, you may request for your application to be forwarded to your second-choice program.

Some, but not all, M.Eng. programs accept applications for spring admission. Check individual program pages to see whether they admit for both fall and spring.

As a professional graduate degree, the M.Eng. is self-funded. Cornell does not provide need-based financial aid for M.Eng. students. Please see the Paying for Your Degree webpage to learn more.

A limited number of M.Eng. students may be awarded Graduate Teaching Research Specialist (GTRS) positions by their admitting programs. Most GTRS positions entail half-time duties and a stipend (see Graduate School: Stipend Rates ↗) equivalent to half of the Ph.D. stipend. Contact your M.Eng. program to inquire about these opportunities.

Early Admission is a pathway available only to Cornell undergraduates. It is an opportunity to begin M.Eng. coursework during the final undergraduate semester. See the Early Admission for Cornell Undergraduates page for more details and eligibility requirements.

Deadlines vary by program, and some offer rolling admission. Visit the individual program pages to learn about deadline dates, notification dates, and other information.

Application fee waivers are generally not available for M.Eng. applicants. Financial hardship waivers are available for domestic applicants who are able to prove they are in exceptional circumstances.

To apply for a financial hardship waiver, you will need to provide a brief but well-reasoned explanation of how the application fee presents a financial hardship for you. Relevant factors include unemployment or underemployment, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from a recent FAFSA, etc. Use the fee waiver request page of the application form to submit your explanation.

Some, but not all, M.Eng. programs require the GRE. Check individual program pages  for program-specific admissions requirements.

The most helpful letters are those submitted by faculty members or professional references who are familiar with your capabilities and can comment on your past performance.

After you input the information for your recommenders into the application, they will receive an automated email from lor_help@collegenet.com asking them to establish an account. They will then be asked to fill out a brief form and upload a letter.

The letter should be written on letterhead and include an electronic signature. Tell your recommenders to check their spam box if they do not see the email. Have your letter writers email lor_help@collegenet.com if they experience any difficulties.

Applicants needing technical support for the CollegeNET ApplyWeb system should contact help@applyweb.com.

Let your intended program know right away if you expect any delays. Most programs are willing to accept letters after the deadline, but should be informed that the letter is arriving late. Applications cannot be reviewed until all material is received so encourage your recommenders to meet the deadline!

A Master of Science (M.S.) degree, with its emphasis on research training, is the more typical path to a Ph.D. degree. There are Cornell M.Eng. students who do apply for and are admitted to Ph.D. programs, but they are not the norm.

M.Eng. students at Cornell cannot “transfer” to a Ph.D. program at the University. They would be required to go through the formal application process again in order to be considered for admission to a Ph.D. program at Cornell.

All academic records must be official documents issued by the college or university and provided in the original language. A certified or notarized English translation must accompany the academic records if the original language is not English.

As an international applicant, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by taking a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. For exceptions and minimum requirements, please see the M.Eng. Application Guide.

No, the exemptions state that you need to have been physically present in an English-speaking country for the majority of your degree.

Yes, with an M.Eng. degree, you are eligible for the STEM-OPT.

In addition to the University-wide Cornell Career Services, the College of Engineering has dedicated M.Eng. Career Services staff to support on-campus and distance learning M.Eng. students. Offerings include: one-on-one career advising, strategies for leveraging the Cornell alumni network, small and large group events, and a variety of online resources. Career fairs, employer information sessions, and professional development workshops are offered both on campus and virtually throughout the year. Visit the M.Eng. Career Services [https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/students/graduate-students/mengmps-students/meng-career-resources] page for more information.

The Cornell Outcomes Dashboard ↗ shares employment data from our graduates. Filter your search by “Degree” and select “MEN” for information on M.Eng. students.

While return on investment will vary by industry and field, M.Eng. graduates overall secure a higher annual salary than their undergrad counterparts and report accelerated career advancement.

A wide array of employers, representing every industry, recruit Cornell engineering students. Students have the opportunity to engage with employers and alumni through coffee chats, information sessions, and in-person and virtual career fairs. Additionally, M.Eng. students have tailor-made career and professional development courses which feature alumni speakers and panels, as well as effective communication, leadership, and job search strategies – all specific to M.Eng. careers.

Explore detailed information about on-campus Graduate and Professional Student housing at Cornell Graduate and Professional Student Campus Housing ↗.

For information about off-campus housing, visit Cornell Campus Living ↗.

There are several non-university options available such as Roomsurf ↗, Meetyourclass ↗, as well as a Faceboook Group ↗.

Learn about on campus employment opportunities: Cornell Student Employment ↗.

The M.Eng. Project is faculty supervised and provides a “hands on” experience for students to learn and develop their skillsets. The skills gained from the M.Eng. Project is a key component for why many recruiters hire M.Eng. students. A thesis is the culmination of a research-based degree, and differs from the M.Eng. Project.

M.Eng. programs nominate students to be ambassadors for the College. If you are interested, let your program know.

Currently, four programs offer a distance learning mode: Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Management, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering.

Distance Learning students have opportunties to engage with courses both synchronously and asychronously. The programs are designed to be flexible for working professionals.

Depending on the program, you may have the opportunity to come to campus for a residential week in the summer. Reach out to the individual programs for more information.