The two most important criteria for admission to the College of Engineering are:
The content and rigor of the college-level courses you have taken. This is absolutely critical for Engineering transfers so you can transition seamlessly into our program at the sophomore or junior level.
How well you have performed in these courses. You are not likely to be accepted unless you have a grade-point average equivalent to B+/A– or higher, with no grades of C or lower in a rigorous, accredited engineering, engineering science, or pre-engineering program.
The following is an overview of the minimum academic requirements for prospective transfer students to the College of Engineering. (You may also download the PDF version: Preparing to Transfer) To achieve sophomore standing in a particular major, applicants must have completed at least the equivalent of all Cornell courses listed under“sophomore standing”. For junior standing, applicants must have completed the equivalent of all Cornell courses listed under “junior standing”, as well as those listed under “sophomore standing”. Please use this chart and the Cornell course descriptions as a guide when choosing courses at your current institution, and feel free to contact Engineering Admissions if you have any specific questions or concerns. Note: Most transfer students will be required to complete an additional 1-credit CS course, either CS 1130 or CS 1132, upon matriculating at Cornell Engineering. Details on those two courses can be found in the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook or in the university Courses of Study.
Biological Engineering
Note: Biology and Chemistry sequence can be taken in either order for this major.
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Civil Engineering
Note: Students can substitute Chem 2080 for Phys 2214 in this major.
Chemical Engineering
Note: Students are encouraged to apply to enter as sophomores because some required sophomore courses are not available at most two-year colleges.
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Computer Science
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Electrical and Computer Engineering
Note: Successful transfer applicants to this major will generally have completed introductory coursework in digital logic design, fundamental properties of circuits, or signal processing before applying for admission.
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Engineering Physics
Note: Students are encouraged to apply to enter this major as juniors. For more information on ENGRI and ENGRD courses, visit the online Courses of Study and search by department for "ENGRI" or "ENGRD".
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Environmental Engineering
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Information Science, Systems, and Technology
Note: If Math 2930 is not taken, then Chem 2080 must replace Phys 2214 for this major.
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Materials Science and Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
Note: If current institution does not offer M&AE 2120 or 2250 equivalents, students should take Phys 2214 or ENGRD/ECE 2100 instead.
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Operations Research & Engineering
Note: If Math 2930 is not taken, then Chem 2080 must replace Phys 2214 for this major.
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Science of Earth Systems
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