Admission Requirements

Please visit the M.Eng. Admissions Page for general information about applying to an M.Eng. program.
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Application Deadlines (General)

  • Fall admittance

    December 1

  • Spring admittance

    October 1 (available only to currently enrolled Cornell undergraduates.)

Cornell Undergraduates Only – Early Admit Application

If you are a Cornell undergraduate who wants to pursue an M.Eng. degree, you may be eligible for the Early Admit Pathway. This option allows you to get a head start on your graduate work during your final undergraduate semester, completing the M.Eng. degree with typically one additional semester at Cornell.

For more information, visit Early Admission for Cornell Undergraduates.

Prerequisites

In order to confirm that an applicant has fulfilled the necessary prerequisites for the program, as listed below, specific information is required within the application.

  • M.Eng. Program Prerequisites (Must be Satisfied Prior to Matriculation)

    • A standard engineering calculus sequence, including linear algebra (with eigenvalues and eigenvectors), and vector calculus, similar in content and rigor to Cornell courses MATH 1910, MATH 1920, and MATH 2940.
    • An introductory engineering probability and statistics course similar in content and rigor to Cornell course ENGRD 2700.
    • An introductory computer programming course similar to CS 1110, as well as an intermediate-level computer programming course in a general programming language such as C, C++, Java, or Python, similar in content and rigor to Cornell course ENGRD 2110. Courses that entail programming applications, but where programming is not the primary focus are not acceptable substitutes. Courses in statistical modeling languages, such as SAS, are not acceptable substitutes.

  • Additional Prerequisites for the Financial Engineering Concentration  (Must be Satisfied Prior to Matriculation)

    • Two semesters of calculus-based probability and statistics, similar in content and rigor to Cornell courses ENGRD 2700, ORIE 3500, and a course in stochastic processes, similar to  ORIE 3510. Courses in which probability and statistical methods are used, but where theory is not the primary focus are not acceptable substitutes, nor are professional exam credentials (e.g., CFA, FRM).
    • An introductory finance course, covering topics such as financial instruments, risk-return tradeoffs, and capital budgeting. Courses in economics and accounting are not acceptable substitutes.
    • Strongly recommended: A course in differential equations, similar in content and rigor to Cornell course MATH 2930.
    • Strongly recommended: Proficiency with Python (preferred) or R.

  • Additional Prerequisites for the Data Analytics Concentration  (Must be Satisfied Prior to Matriculation)

    A two-semester sequence of calculus-based probability and statistics theory, similar in content and rigor to Cornell courses ENGRD 2700 and ORIE 3500. Courses in which probability and statistical methods are used, but where theory is not the primary focus are not acceptable substitutes, nor are professional exam credentials (e.g., CFA, FRM).

Application Requirements

  • Letters of Recommendation

    Two required; three preferred. We suggest one academic reference, one professional reference, and one reference of your choice.

    The most helpful letters are those submitted by faculty members or professional references who are familiar with your capabilities and can comment on your potential for success as a Cornell M.Eng. student.

    Recommenders submit their letters online. Once an application is submitted, recommenders receive an automated email soliciting their letter (you will be prompted to provide their contact information before you submit your application).

  • Resume

    Required

  • GRE/GMAT

    • One of these two tests is required; GRE test is preferred.
    • Send your scores via ETS or mba.com – they will be matched to your application upon receipt.
    • Current Cornell students are exempted from the GRE requirement.
    • Cornell University’s institutional code for reporting scores is 2098.

  • Interview

    • Asynchronous video interview
    • Released shortly following the admission deadline

  • Academic Statement of Purpose (≤1000 words)

    This forward-looking statement should describe your objectives in pursuing the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree program in ORIE. Please state specific reasons why you wish to be considered for your first-choice concentration. Include why the Cornell ORIE M.Eng. is a good fit for you, what you intend to study and why, how you will apply what you learn in your first job after graduation, and how you will enrich the learning of your peers by sharing your education and experience. Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate that you have researched the Cornell ORIE M.Eng. program and have developed a plan to include it in your professional development. Do not repeat information we can easily read from your resume and transcript.

  • Personal Statement (≤1000 words)

    This reflective statement should describe your personal journey and the influence it has had on your decision to pursue an M.Eng. degree in ORIE, and how it has prepared you to contribute to Cornell’s collaborative problem-solving environment. It is an opportunity to highlight any lived experiences or interactions – including successes, failures, conflicts, collaborations, or journeys of self-discovery – that have significantly shaped or serve to demonstrate your problem solving, communication, collaboration and teamwork, leadership, maturity and self awareness, endurance, and/or resilience.