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Academics & Research

Graduating Early, Late or Elsewhere

Application to Update Degree Standing (pdf)

Finishing Degree Requirements Early or Late

It is expected that students will make progress on graduation requirements each semester and will complete requirements for graduation within eight semesters. Students utilizing AP or transfer credits to define themselves in the Registrar’s records as students with advanced standing [for example, transferring in 30 credits and requesting sophomore status] will be expected to graduate in fewer semesters based on the advanced standing. Students may delay graduation to complete requirements for the college, including requirements for one major. Delayed graduation will be approved only for compelling academic reasons that prevented completion of requirements within the expected period. Compelling academic reasons is defined as a circumstance beyond a student’s control that prevented taking the necessary courses or credits in a timely fashion.

If you wish to update your degree date please complete the Application to Update Degree Standing with your advisor(s) and hand it into the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall. Once your request has been processed you will receive information relevant to your degree date.

Finishing Degree Requirements Elsewhere

In some cases students need an additional course beyond their expected graduation date and are unable to complete this course at Cornell University. In this situation a student can request to complete their course work at another institution (up to 8 academic credits).  To do this a student must:

  1. Attain pre-approval of the course the student would like to take by completing a transfer pre-approval form through the transfer equivalency link located on DUST
  2. Complete the Application to Update Degree Standing
  3. Complete Part I and Part II of the Application to Graduate.

Once the course is complete the student must send an official transcript to the CALS Student Services Office verifying a grade of “C” or better. Once the transcript is received, the students degree will be posted for the next eligible degree date (example: transfer received June 5; the student will be an August Graduate).