Transfer to Communication

We're so happy you're interested in the Department of Communication!

Current Cornell Students: If you wish to add Communication as a double major, or change your major to Communication, please fill out this form to let us know you're interested. 

Current Cornell CALS Students

All applications are reviewed by the Communication Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.  

Prior to applying, students must complete and earn a B average in the following classes:  

  1. COMM 1101 - Introduction to Communication
  2. COMM 2820 - Research Methods in Communication Studies
  3. At least one of the following:
    1. COMM 2200 - Media Communication
    2. COMM 2310 - Writing About Communication
    3. COMM 2450 - Communication and Technology
    4. COMM 2760 - Persuasion and Social Influence
    5. COMM 2850 - Communication, Environment, Science, and Health

Important notes:

*COMM 1101 is ONLY offered in the fall.  

*COMM2820 is ONLY offered in the spring.

*2310 is usually full with students already admitted to the major. Check with Professor to see if there is room for transfers. 

*Students are allowed to turn in an application only AFTER their grades are posted for the required classes.  

*Applications with grades lower than a B average in these required classes will not be accepted.  

* All applicants are held to the same standards of student conduct as current Communication majors. Follow this link to view the Cornell Student Code of Conduct: Student Code of Conduct (Student Code) 

 Submit your Change of Major Application here!

Current Cornell, Non-CALS

Students who are interested in transferring to the Department of Communication from another college at Cornell should read the information on the CALS Admissions page for Internal Transfer applications. Students are REQUIRED to meet with Kristie Milliman (the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Department of Communication). Please email klo28 [at] cornell.edu (Kristie Milliman) to set up an appointment. The deadline for fall is May 1st and spring is December 1st.

Prior to applying, students must complete and earn a B average in the following classes:  

  1. COMM 1101 - Introduction to Communication
  2. COMM 2820 - Research Methods in Communication Studies
  3. At least one of the following:
    1. COMM 2200 - Media Communication
    2. COMM 2310 - Writing About Communication
    3. COMM 2450 - Communication and Technology
    4. COMM 2760 - Persuasion and Social Influence
    5. COMM 2850 - Communication, Environment, Science, and Health

Students may apply to the Office of Internal Transfer while they are currently enrolled in the three required courses. Competitive applications include a minimum cumulative Cornell GPA of 2.5 and higher than a B average in each of the three classes.

All applicants are held to the same standards of student conduct as current Communication majors. Follow this link to view the Cornell Student Code of Conduct

External Transfer Students

External transfer students should review the CALS Admissions page. If you are interested in setting up an individual meeting with the Department of Communication or if you have questions about our department please contact klo28 [at] cornell.edu (Kristie Milliman) via email.

All applicants are held to the same standards of student conduct as current Communication majors. Follow this link to view the Cornell Student Code of Conduct: Student Code of Conduct (Student Code).

Academic Record

  • Strong academic record at the college level. In general, competitive applicants have at least a 3.0 (B) average.

  • CALS Required Coursework should be completed or in-progress with a “B” or better before applying.

  • The most competitive applicants are full-time students who have met the GPA and course requirements.

Requirements

Required:

  • Two College Writing/English Composition courses or one writing/composition and Public Speaking

  • Statistics

  • Psychology or Sociology:

  • One full year of Introductory Biology (labs recommended)

  • One course in either General (Inorganic) Chemistry I or Physics I (labs recommended)

(Or transfers with four full-time college semesters of study (post-high school) completed or in progress at time of application).

Required:

  • Two College Writing/English Composition courses or one writing/composition and Public Speaking

  • Statistics

  • Psychology

  • Sociology

  • General (Inorganic) Chemistry I or Physics I (labs recommended)

  • One full year of Introductory Biology (labs recommended)

Courses that meet the CALS social science and humanities requirements in Cultural Analysis, Historical Analysis, Knowledge, Cognition and Moral Reasoning, Literature and the Arts, Social and Behavioral Analysis and Foreign Language