Transfer Applicants

Agricultural Sciences
Atmospheric Science 
Animal Science 
Biological Engineering 
Biological Sciences 
Biometry and Statistics 
Communication 
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 
Entomology 
Environment & Sustainability 
Environmental Engineering 
Food Science 
Global Development (Sophomore Transfer Only) 
Information Science 
Landscape Architecture 
Nutritional Sciences 
Plant Sciences 
Viticulture and Enology 

Please note: 

• Global & Public Health Sciences does not accept transfer students 
• Students interested in Applied Economics and Management must apply for transfer through the Dyson School. 

• Compare your course descriptions with Cornell's offerings to check for similar scope and content
  • Find a link to each major's curriculum on its corresponding requirements page
• Transfer credit is typically awarded within the same subject area — for example: a calculus course transfers as calculus
   

English Composition/Writing Intensive courses: Must cover competencies such as writing, research, argument development, audience engagement, and the revision process. Approved courses include First-Year Writing Seminars and those designated as writing intensive.

Biological Sciences courses: Compare course descriptions from your current institution with Cornell's offerings to ensure similar scope and content. A link to each major's curriculum can be found on its corresponding requirements page.
 

Please note: We recognize that institutional differences mean exact course matches aren't always possible, and some degree of variation is expected. As you choose your coursework, please rely on your best judgment—these decisions are ones you are well-equipped to make independently.

Many majors require Biology or Chemistry with lab. This requirement is slightly flexible in how it can be fulfilled.
Take whatever your institution offers for its introductory Biology or Chemistry sequence, as long as a lab component is included in some form. This can look like:
•    Combined course format: A single course that includes both lecture and lab together (typically 4–5 credits, rather than the standard 3-credit lecture-only course)
•    Separate lab course: A distinct lab course (usually 1–2 credits) taken alongside a separate lecture course
Whether it's built into one course or split into two, both options satisfy this requirement.

Simple rule of thumb: Check your institution's course catalog for how they structure the intro Bio/Chem sequence and make sure you enroll in whatever includes the lab portion (whether that's one combined course or lecture + lab as separate courses).
 

Our most competitive candidates typically have the required coursework completed or in progress at the time of application. However, this should not deter you from applying.
 

The admissions committee reviews all applications in their entirety, considering factors such as:
•    Your academic record
•    Suitability for CALS and your intended major
•    Readiness to complete your degree on time
 

Tip: If you're missing a specific requirement, it may be beneficial to review the major curriculum to find additional relevant coursework that can help strengthen your application.
 

The CALS Admissions team cannot approve course schedules in advance or provide an official transfer credit evaluation prior to admission.
Our goal is to provide you with the guidance necessary to exercise your best judgment, as you are ultimately in the best position to evaluate your coursework alongside Cornell's offerings.
 

Cornell accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions when courses meet the following criteria:

• Taken for a letter grade (not pass/fail)
• Final grade of C or better
• Appears on an official college transcript
• This also includes online coursework.

In addition, courses must be comparable in content and academic level to Cornell's own offerings to be accepted. 

AP/IB credit may be used to fulfill coursework requirements per Cornell policy, unless stated otherwise. A maximum of 15 credits of Advanced Placement work may be used for Cornell credit. Test credits are included in the maximum 60 credits of test/transfer credit.  

Cornell Advanced Placement Credit By Exam (AP/IB/GCE)

CALS Policies for AB/IB Statistics & English

Some applicants to Cornell take college courses during high school. Non-Cornell credit may be accepted when:

• the credits are earned at an accredited institution
• the course is taken on a college/university campus or online with matriculated college students and is taught by a college professor
• the credits have not been applied toward high school graduation requirements 

Option 1: Retake the Course
This is recommended, especially for pre-health tracks. Retaking ensures the course counts and strengthens your record.

Option 2: Explore Alternatives
Can't retake it? Try:

• Upper-level courses in the same subject
• Alternative courses from your major’s curriculum guide that meet the same requirement
• A related sequence (if no direct alternative exists) to keep your coursework strong

Calculus-Specific Note
If your AP Calculus credit isn't accepted and you can't retake Calc I & II, simply continue forward in your current calculus sequence. If admitted, you'll take a math placement exam to determine your starting point in the new sequence.

Bottom line: Whether you retake a course, choose an alternative, or continue forward — these things are all considered when we evaluate your application, academic fit, and ability to complete your degree on time. 

Credits earned at quarter-system institutions are converted to semester credits by multiplying by two-thirds. For example, a 5-credit quarter course converts to 3.35 semester credits. While the credit amounts may differ after conversion, these courses can still satisfy semester course requirements just like any other transferred coursework.

Please note: If the major requirements specify a full year of a subject, students must take 3 quarters to fulfill the requirement.  

External Transfer Applicants apply through the Common App for Transfer. Please visit the Cornell Transfer Admissions website for details on required application materials.

Students interested in the Applied Economics & Management major must apply for transfer through The Dyson School. 

Students who have externally transferred to CALS are not permitted to change their major to AEM, nor are they eligible to add it as a double major.

However, students who are ineligible are welcome to explore a Business Minor.

It's natural for your interests to evolve, and you may wonder whether a different major would suit you better. However, changing your major as a transfer student comes with important considerations:

• Admitted transfer students may not change their major prior to arriving on campus
• Once enrolled, you may explore other options and connect with advisors in a new major during your first semester
• You cannot extend your graduation date due to a major change
• Major changes are reviewed by the major department and are not guaranteed
• Some majors and schools restrict transfer students from changing majors or transferring internally
• Changing your major after admission is especially difficult for junior transfers—please keep this in mind when applying

Important: Applying to a major you're not genuinely interested in—simply because you meet the course requirements—with plans to switch immediately after admission is not appropriate. This takes opportunities away from applicants who are truly interested in that major.

Cornell’s financial aid process is the same for transfer students as it is for first-year students. Cornell will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. 

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