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Prospective Students/General Info How can I get a copy of the application? Cornell's application is available strictly online, either from the Admissions website or on the Common Application website. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their applications electronically, although we will accept paper applications if you choose to download, print, and mail the application to Cornell. Can I apply to more than one college at Cornell? Yes, Cornell offers applicants for undergraduate admission the option of applying to two colleges, recognizing that Cornell's undergraduate colleges and schools offer a multitude of distinctive academic programs, and that many applicants have diverse intellectual interests that may be satisfied by more than one college or school. Applicants using the primary/alternate admission option must satisfy the application requirements for both colleges, including submitting a college interest essay for both colleges. Only exceptional candidates with a serious intellectual passion satisfied by the alternate college or school will be considered for admission by the alternate college. Do
I have to apply to a particular major? What if I change my mind later? No, you do not apply to a particular major; you apply to the college. When you apply to the College of Engineering, you can indicate an intended major if you wish. You do not officially select your major until the second semester of your sophomore year. It is not uncommon for students to change their minds about what area of engineering they'd like to specialize in. What happens if I'm not admitted during Early Decision? Students not admitted during the Early Decision period will be deferred to Regular Decision or denied admission. Can I apply Early Decision if I am applying for financial aid? What happens if I'm admitted and my family can't afford to pay for it? Yes, you can still apply Early Decision if you are applying for financial aid. Make sure to follow the financial aid application deadlines and submit all the required forms as outlined on the Financial Aid website. When you receive your financial aid package, we expect you to work with the Financial Aid Office to make any necessary adjustments to your package. If both sides have done as much as possible and your family is still unable to afford Cornell, we will release you from your Early Decision agreement, and your seat in the class will be given to another student. What
are the minimum SAT/ACT scores required to be admitted to the College of
Engineering as a freshman?
The College of Engineering does not have a minimum SAT, since the standardized test scores are simply one aspect of an applicant's preparation. However, we do know that of the admitted students in the class, at least 75% scored between 720-800 on their SAT math and approximately half of the class scored better than 700 on the SAT verbal. For a recent admitted class profile, click here. What are the SAT II requirements? The College of Engineering requires students applying for admission to submit scores for two SAT II exams: one in math (any level) and one in science, as well as scores from the SAT General Test or the ACT. If you choose to submit ACT scores, Cornell requires that you also take the 30-minute writing component of the ACT exam. ACT scores, AP exams, or other standardized tests cannot be used to replace the SAT II requirement. When is the last date I can take the SAT/ACT and have my scores in time for my application? It is in your best interest to take your standardized tests as soon as you feel academically prepared to do so. In most years, the SAT is offered in early October, early November, Early December, and mid-January. Students planning to apply Early Decision should plan to finish all tests by the October test date. Results of the November tests are usually available in time to be considered for Early Decision applications, but not always. Students applying through Regular Decision should plan to finish all testing by December if possible. January results are usually available in time to be considered for Regular Decision applications, but not always. How important are my SAT/ACT scores for my application? The admissions officers review applications holistically, which means we take everything into consideration. Your SAT/ACT scores are considered as part of your application, but they are never used as the sole factor in a student's application. Your essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and academic record are all equally important to your application. Does Cornell consider the writing portion of the SAT/ACT? Currently, Cornell is not using the writing scores for admissions consideration. What
is the minimum high school GPA required to be admitted to the College of
Engineering as a freshman?
There is no set minimum, but it should come as no surprise that we look for students who excel in their studies, particularly in math and science, and who have grades in the A range. When considering a student's GPA, we look at things like the rigor of the high school curriculum, whether the GPA is weighted or un-weighted, and whether the student has taken challenging courses. Does the College of Engineering offer credit for AP, IB, and A-level scores? The College of Engineering routinely offers credit for appropriately high scores on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB), and General Certificate of Education (A-level) examinations. This advising chart shows what scores you need in order to be eligible for credit for different Cornell Engineering courses. You can also earn credit by taking a Cornell Advanced Standing Exam (CASE) during the fall orientation period. Will the College of Engineering offer transfer credit for college classes taken during high school? Transfer credit for college courses taken before high school graduation may be awarded if the course was taught at an accredited college or university by its own faculty members and if the student can present a signed statement from the high school registrar certifying that the course was not used to fulfill high school graduation requirements. If these criteria are met, Cornell faculty will review the course description and award transfer credit if the course is equal in scope and rigor to a corresponding course in the Engineering curriculum. How do you evaluate applicants who are home-schooled? Because we strive to understand and appreciate the depth and variety of a home-schooled applicant's experience, we require the following information for the three years prior to college application: course syllabi and textbooks used for all courses; information on independent projects, laboratory experiences, research projects, etc.; standardized test scores, including state exams, ACT, SAT, and SAT II, and Advanced Placement exams (as appropriate); information on any college-level courses taken; and (if available) a high school certification of the home-school curriculum. Feel free to contact the Engineering Admissions Office if you have additional questions. Are admissions interviews required? No, interviews are not required for Engineering. Campus visits are always encouraged, and most students who apply for freshman admission will be contacted by a member of a local Cornell alumni committee in the fall or winter. These informal conversations with alumni are not required and are meant only to allow an additional opportunity for the student to learn more about Cornell---and for Cornell to learn more about the student. For more information on alumni meetings, please call the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 607-255-5241. How can I check on the status of my application? When we receive your Common Application and application fee (or fee waiver
request), we will email you with the information you need to establish your Self-Service account, an online
application status account on Cornell's web site. Receiving your ApplicantID
and PIN via email is your confirmation that we have received you application.
Using this secure site, you will be able to track your application materials
and update your email address as necessary.
When will I find out about my admissions decision? Decisions for Early Decision candidates will be released in mid-December; decisions for Regular Decision candidates will be released around the first of April. Decisions are posted to applicants' Self-Service accounts so it is critical to ensure you have access to your account. Only admitted and waitlisted students will automatically receive a paper copy of their decision letter. What is the average class size in Cornell Engineering courses? Cornell Engineering course sizes vary by subject and department. Across the college, 74% of classes are less than 30 students, and 84% are less than 50 students. Only 4% of the Engineering courses are larger than 100 students. Who is an international student? Any student who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is considered to be an international student. Students who hold dual citizenship between the U.S. and another country are considered to be domestic applicants, not international applicants. Does Cornell offer financial aid for international students? Yes; however, it is limited. We encourage all of our international students to seek outside funding or sponsorship from their local government or industry. In order to be considered for financial aid, international students should complete the Cornell University International Financial Aid Application. For further information on applying for aid as an international student, please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. Can
international students apply through Early Decision? What tests are required for international applicants? International applicants must take the tests required of all other applicants. These include SAT or ACT with writing, and two SAT Subject Tests (one math and one science). International students for whom English is not the first language are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. If
English is not my first language, do I need to take TOEFL or IELTS? International students for whom English is not the first language are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. We will waive the TOEFL and/or IELTS requirement for students who have achieved a score of 670 on the Critical Reading section of the SAT or for those who have been in the U.S. (or other nations where English is the primary language spoken) for at least 4 years. Please note that the TOEFL/IELTS is only one indicator of English proficiency. We also highly recommend the submission of a recommendation letter from an English; we review the English courses you are taking and have taken; and we evaluate your writing on the application. When will I receive my I-20 Form? In order to receive an I-20, students must:
Visa documentation and approval generally require more time than in the past, so submit your Declaration of Finances form as soon as you send your acceptance deposit. For more information, see the United States Government's Visa site and Cornell ISSO. What
type of support is available for international students? The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) is the campus center for international students at Cornell. ISSO can advise you about immigration issues, financial matters, campus services for academic and personal counseling, medical care, housing, and even hints about living in Ithaca, NY. The office plans an international student orientation (called PREPARE) at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters that includes many social events to help you meet other international students and make a smooth transition to the Cornell community. For more information about the International Students and Scholars Office, contact them by email at isso@cornell.edu. My country requires military service, but I want to attend Cornell. What should I do? First-year students who are required to complete military service can apply for a 1 or 2 year deferral of their enrollment. We ask admitted students seeking a military deferral to request a deferral via the Engineering Deferral web page. The online form asks for your name, permanent address, when you intend to enroll at Cornell, and the reason for your deferment. You must also send us a copy of your military enlistment letter. Please note: After a deferral is granted, it will be honored only after we receive your enrollment deposit of $400 for a 1-year deferral or $800 for a 2-year deferral. I want to enroll at Cornell, but haven't heard from my scholarship committee. What should I do about my deposit to Cornell? Please email the Engineering Admissions Office at engr_admissions@cornell.edu to let us know of your special circumstance. Include your full name, address, and when you expect to hear from the scholarship committee. Deposit extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis. Who is a transfer student? When is the transfer application deadline, and when will I be notified of Cornell's decision? The College of Engineering admits transfer students for matriculation only in the fall semester, primarily due to the sequencing of the courses in our curriculum. The deadline for completed transfer applications is March 15th of each year, and students are notified of Cornell's decision on a rolling basis. Most students will hear their decision sometime in June or July. Does it matter if I am transferring from a two- or four-year college? No, the College of Engineering accepts transfer applicants from both two- and four-year schools. What is more important is the rigor of the engineering curriculum at the institution you are attending and how well your coursework corresponds to the required engineering courses at Cornell. (For additional information, see Engineering Transfer website. Does it matter to which engineering major I apply? Absolutely! Transfer students are admitted directly to an engineering major, and the prerequisites vary somewhat by major. Please note that transfer students are not permitted to apply as undecided candidates, and students who are accepted to a major must remain in that major for at least one year. Because the departments make the admissions decision, you must articulate your academic interest and how it pertains to the major(s) you've selected. Can I apply to more than one engineering major? Transfer applicants to the College of Engineering are permitted to indicate a primary- and alternate-choice major on their application. If you are accepted to your primary-choice major, the process ends there. If not, your application will be forwarded to the faculty in your alternate-choice major for review. If you apply to an alternate-choice major, you must write a second interest statement to articulate your academic interest in that major. When will I find out how many of my credits will transfer to Cornell? Transfer students typically receive their credit awards during fall orientation (August) when they arrive on campus and meet with their faculty advisor for the first time. However, if you are accepted and your circumstances require that you know the status of your credit before making a final decision, a tentative credit award is available during the spring or summer, by request. What do the Engineering faculty members look for when reviewing transfer applications? Although the faculty will consider many things when reviewing applications for their respective departments, they will focus primarily on the content and rigor of the college-level courses that a student has completed and how well the student performed academically. At a minimum, transfer applicants should be sure that they have taken college-level courses in calculus, chemistry, physics (calculus-based), computer programming, and writing and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (although most accepted students tend to have GPAs in the 3.5+ range). For complete details about prerequisites for each major, please see the Engineering Transfer website. What if I am missing one (or more) of the prerequisite courses listed for transfer? Ideally, transfer applicants will take coursework that exactly matches what is taken by Cornell Engineering students on our campus. Transfer applicants whose curriculum is most closely aligned with what is taught at Cornell are typically the best-prepared for transfer, and are most likely to be admitted (if they have performed well in the coursework.) Missing coursework is handled on a case-by-case basis. Can
I email you my courses and get them pre-approved for transfer? Does the Engineering College require any standardized test scores of transfer applicants? Students who have previously taken SATs, ACTs, SAT IIs, etc., are required to submit their scores with their application. Transfer applicants are not expected to take standardized tests if they have not previously taken them. Are there any special requirements for international transfer applicants? International students for whom English is not the first language are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. We will waive the TOEFL and/or IELTS requirement for students who have achieved a score of 670 on the Critical Reading section of the SAT or for those who have been in the U.S. (or other nations where English is the primary language spoken) for at least 4 years. Please note that the TOEFL/IELTS is only one indicator of English proficiency. We also highly recommend the submission of a recommendation letter from an English; we review the English courses you are taking and have taken; and we evaluate your writing on the application. Does Cornell have articulation agreements with any colleges that I should know about? Yes, the College of Engineering has standing 3-2 agreements with both Ithaca College (NY) and Wells College (NY). In addition, the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering has specific transfer articulation agreements with the following two-year institutions: City College of San Francisco (CA), Foothill College (CA), Monroe Community College (NY), Montgomery County Community College (PA), and Ulster County Community College (NY). If I receive AP, transfer, or credit by examination from my current institution, will that automatically transfer to Cornell? No. The College of Engineering has specific AP standards that will be used to evaluate transfer credit. Transfer students are eligible for any AP credit that their scores qualify them for, but we will not accept transfer credit for them from other institutions. Example: some schools grant AP credit for scores of 3 on exams, but Cornell does not, so you would not get credit here for those courses no matter what your previous school did. For complete information about AP standards in the College of Engineering, please see the Engineering Advising Office page If
my transcript and/or course descriptions are not in English, what should I do? Are course descriptions required as part of the transfer application? Yes, your transfer application must include complete course descriptions copied from your institution's course catalog or syllabi for each college-level course you have taken, are in the process of taking, or for which you received AP, transfer, or college-examination credit. The descriptions should include a list of topics covered in the class and any prerequisite courses. A list of the textbooks used is also useful. The faculty will use this information to compare your courses to those required by the Engineering College at Cornell. Please note that our faculty will not be able to review your application until this information is received. (For more details on this requirement, please see the Engineering Transfer website. What's it like living in Ithaca? Ithaca is a vibrant college town (about 30,000 full-time residents) in every sense of the word. Aside from merchants and services that cater primarily to students, Ithaca has a rich cultural life. The Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, a professional ensemble of strings and winds, offers a year-round performance calendar featuring works that range from Bach to Britten. There are also the Hangar Theater, the Ithaca Ballet, and busy concert schedules at Ithaca College and Cornell. For the outdoors enthusiast, Ithaca has several parks and gorge trails open year-round for swimming, hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping. Ithaca is located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the longest of New York's Finger Lakes, which provides a great place for water skiing, board sailing, fishing, sailing, and other water sports. If you're a film lover, Ithaca will keep you busy with its diverse cinema offerings. There are more than 25 screens in town, several of which specialize in foreign and artistic films. And, last but not least, there are more than 125 different places to eat in Ithaca. Most of these are a short walk or bus ride from Cornell. Within a ten minute walk from campus, you'll find Greek, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Thai, Indian, Italian, and vegetarian restaurants. Can one socialize and keep up with schoolwork? Absolutely! In fact, we feel that a good social life is critical to your well-being and is a crucial part of the college experience. The key is time management. Although the engineering curriculum is rigorous, our students find that by using simple organizational skills, they can maintain a good mix of school, extracurricular, and social activities. Can
I change my major or college after I get to Cornell? Yes. We feel that students should be able to follow their academic interests as they evolve without having to leave Cornell. There are a few rules, though. First, students must remain in the college to which they were admitted for at least two semesters. After that, an internal transfer to another college is possible, assuming the student is in good academic standing. Internal transfers are typically decided at the end of each semester by an Internal Transfer Committee made up of advisors from each of the seven undergraduate colleges. For specifics on the internal transfer process, students should consult a staff member of the advising office in their college. What kind of academic and personal help is available to Cornell Engineering undergraduates? The advising system in the College of Engineering has three components. Each student has a faculty advisor, at least one student peer advisor, and access to the services of the Engineering Advising Office, where professional staff advisors can provide assistance on everything from academic and personal difficulties to helping students locate research opportunities. If you have a question and are not sure where to start, the Engineering Advising Office is a good resource. Does
Cornell have special visitation programs available to prospective students? Does Cornell have an honors program? Most (not all) departments in the College of Engineering offer honors programs for undergraduate students who wish to go above and beyond the basic Bachelor of Science requirements. Although these requirements vary by department, all participants must have a GPA of at least 3.5 to be eligible. Once admitted to the honors program, students will take advanced coursework in their majors and complete an applied project, research, or thesis, as dictated by the department. Can
engineering students study abroad? Undergraduates in the College of Engineering can study abroad at both traditional and engineering colleges, but early, careful planning is a must due to the highly structured and sequential nature of the engineering curriculum. We are currently offering special engineering programs in France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, and Spain. We recommend that students begin freshman year to work closely with faculty advisors, the Engineering Advising Office, and the Cornell Abroad Office. What is the student-to-faculty ratio? In the College of Engineering, the current student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. What
is the Cooperative Education Program in the College of Engineering and how does
it work?
The Cooperative Education Program (Co-op for short) is a 28-week, competitively paid experience in industry as a practicing engineer. Though not required, we estimate that about 1/4 of our undergraduate engineers choose to participate in Co-op, and the program is designed so that students can complete both the Co-op and the requirements for their Bachelor of Science degree in four years. Second year engineering students who maintain a 2.7+ GPA are eligible to participate in the Engineering Co-op Program. For complete information, please see the Co-op web page. Can
you double major in the College of Engineering? How
tough is the academic pressure? How can Cornell Engineering help students find internships? The Engineering Co-op & Career Services Office posts summer job listings all year, but mostly in the spring, on Cornell CareerNet. There are a number of Career Fairs that occur on campus throughout the year, as well as off campus, that Cornell students from all years are encouraged to attend to assist in securing internships. Additionally, prominent employers typically conduct 700+ summer intern interviews on campus. Students are encouraged to attend workshops and meet with career advisors for résumé, cover letter, and job search strategy assistance. What are the housing options like at CU? Cornell offers a vibrant on-campus residential community, beginning with the First Year Living Experience on North Campus. Returning students typically move into the West Campus House System if they choose to remain on campus, although many students will decide to move off campus at some point after their first year. Students of all years have the option of applying to live in a Program House if they are particularly interested in one of the house themes. Housing is guaranteed for the first two years; afterwards, students enter into a lottery for housing. Since many students choose to live off-campus for sophomore, junior, and senior year, there is generally plenty of on-campus housing available for those who would like to remain in the residence halls. Students living off campus usually live in local houses or apartments or in a fraternity or sorority house. What is the diversity like at Cornell? The Cornell Engineering first year class entering Fall 2009 includes 12% of the class that self-identifies as being from a background that is traditionally under-represented in Engineering (of African-American, Hispanic, Native American backgrounds) and 37% women. How are students from diverse backgrounds supported?
The diverse nature of our campus is a pillar of Cornell Engineering. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and the issues we face become more globally intertwined, Cornell Engineering's longstanding commitment to the development of a diverse community of students, faculty, researchers, and staff has become more vital than ever. The Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) office provides a
variety of services for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as
faculty members. Some of their student services include professional,
academic, and community development programming; summer research
opportunities; and networking programs with corporate partners and
alumni. The office also advises the Cornell chapters of
the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, National Society
of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the
Society of Women Engineers. To learn more about DPE, visit http://engineering.cornell.edu/dpe.
What
are sports and athletics like at Cornell? If you are interested in being recruited, please check Cornell Athletics for more information or contact the head coach of the sport you are interested in directly. If I'm accepted, when do I have to decide? When is the deadline to deposit? If you are offered admission during our Early Decision period, you must notify us and send in your deposit in early January. If you are offered admission during our regular decision period, you must notify us of your decision to accept the offer and send your deposit by the postmark deadline of May 1st. Can I come and visit before I decide? Visiting is not a requirement but is highly recommended, especially if you've been offered admission. A campus visit will allow you to see facilities and interact with current students. Do you have an open house for admitted students? Admitted students are invited to visit the campus in April during Cornell Days, a series of one-day, on-campus visit programs. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am unable to get my deposit in by the deadline. What should I do? Call or write to the director of admissions to explain your situation. Do I need to submit my final grades to Cornell? Yes. Final grades for all admitted students will be reviewed. Please ask your guidance counselor to send them to us at: Application Processing Center, 349 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca, New York 14850-2899. How
do I request a deferral on my admission? If you've been admitted to Cornell's College of Engineering, it is possible to apply for deferred entry. The Engineering Admissions Office processes deferral requests on a case-by-case basis. Recent examples of reasons for admissions deferral requests included military service obligations, religious and research opportunities. Please refer to the Admissions Deferral page for more information. We do not grant deferrals to transfer students. Who can afford a Cornell education? Cornell University's mission of "Any Person, Any Study" means that we strive to make a Cornell education financially possible for any student who is admitted to the university. Cornell has made the commitment to students who demonstrate financial need by assisting in meeting that need with one or more financial aid components. Each aid application is carefully reviewed by a financial aid counselor and a specific aid package is designed to meet your need. Building on a long history of providing access to students regardless of economic circumstances, Cornell recently announced a new financial aid initiative to reduce or eliminate need-based loans for eligible undergraduate students. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid website for more details. What's the best advice you have for someone applying for financial aid?
If I'm still waiting to hear from the Office of Financial Aid, when do I need to notify Cornell about whether or not I will accept an offer of admission?
Will applying for financial aid hurt my chances for admission? No, Cornell University practices need-blind admissions, which means your (or your parents') ability to pay is not factored into the admissions process. Furthermore, when reviewing your application, we are not aware whether or not you are applying for financial aid. If you apply for financial aid and are admitted, the Office of Financial Aid will put together a need-based financial aid package for you. If you are applying to Early Decision, you will receive a financial aid estimate a few days after receiving your acceptance letter and an updated financial aid package in April based upon the most up-to-date tax information. If you are applying to Regular Decision, you will receive your financial aid package a few days after your acceptance letter. Please note: in order to receive your financial aid package, your financial aid paper work must be complete. Is my financial aid award guaranteed for four years?
Does Cornell offer merit aid? Cornell University offers financial aid solely on the basis of demonstrated financial need. We do not offer merit awards for academic, athletic, musical, or other talents. We do have selective programs such as the Cornell Commitment programs that recognize, reward, and encourage further development of a select group of students who exemplify Cornell's commitment to academic excellence, work and service, research and discovery, and leadership and learning, and in so doing, enrich their experience at Cornell and beyond. Cornell Engineering also has the Jacobs Scholars and the McMullen Scholars which recognize selected students for their potential as future engineers. All Cornell Engineering applicants are automatically considered for these programs. There is a need-based component offered with the programs. What happens if I receive an outside scholarship? As the Office of Financial Aid is notified of outside sources of assistance, they adjust your need-based financial aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information on how outside scholarships typically affect financial aid packages. Who is eligible to receive financial aid? At Cornell, financial aid is available to undergraduate students who are
citizens of the U.S. If you are a
permanent U.S. resident, you are also eligible for financial aid. There is also
limited financial aid for international students. How large is the waitlist? The size of the waitlist varies from year to year and is determined by size of the applicant pool. Our goal is to build a waitlist that will allow us to fill remaining spots available in our entering class, whether that number is five or 75. Is the waiting list ranked? No, the waitlist is not ranked. We use past reviews of applications to determine which students we will select from the waiting list. When should I expect to hear if I will be offered admission from the waitlist? We make every effort to notify students as soon after the May 1st response deadline as possible. In years where we will go to the waitlist, the process usually begins in the second or third week of May and continues—until all spots in the class are filled—through the end of June. You will be informed around the end of June or beginning of July when the waitlist is no longer needed, meaning all spots in the entering class of engineers have been filled. You should then plan to attend any college or university to which you've been accepted and consider the option of transferring to Cornell Engineering after a year or two. Is there anything that I can do to enhance my chances of being taken off the waitlist?
My
friend who applied to Arts & Sciences has been taken off the waitlist. Why
have I not heard anything? If I am offered a spot from the waitlist, will financial aid still be available? Yes. If you are offered admission from the waitlist, your application for financial aid will be reviewed as all others are reviewed to determine the amount of need. A package will then be put together, and you should receive official correspondence from the Financial Aid Office soon thereafter. If
I am offered a spot, will housing still be available? |
