Academic FAQs
How many non-Cornell (transfer) credits will be accepted for incoming first-year students?
Incoming first-year Cornell CALS students can bring in a total of up to 15 non-Cornell (transfer) credits earned before matriculating at Cornell (the equivalent of about one full-time semester).
What are examples of how incoming first-year students may earn up to 15 non-Cornell (transfer) credits?
CEEB AP Exams and various international credentials such as International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams, GCE A-Level Exams, French Baccalaureate Examinations, Cambridge Pre-University Examinations, as well as college coursework that has been completed at another accredited institution. In all cases, specific criteria must be met in order for non-Cornell (transfer) credit to be earned.
What is the purpose of bringing in non-Cornell (transfer) credit as an incoming first-year student?
The purpose is to exempt students from introductory courses where it has been deemed that they have had appropriate instruction in the subject area and place them in more advanced courses. That said, some departments advise their majors to develop a firm grounding in the subject area and methodology by enrolling in the introductory survey course even if they have credit. Students can also make progress on CALS distribution requirements and their overall 120 degree credits through non-Cornell (transfer) credit earned.
If a student has more than 15 possible non-Cornell (transfer) credits earned before matriculating at Cornell, can they provide input about which credits they want to transfer in?
Yes, students can schedule an appointment with the CALS Registrar team to work on determining which 15 non-Cornell (transfer) credits should be accepted.
What happens if a student took dual enrollment courses (college courses taken while in high school) or even earned an Associate’s Degree along with their high school degree?
Any courses that meet the specific criteria for non-Cornell (transfer) credit to be earned could be evaluated on a course-by-course basis (up to the 15-credit maximum). Cornell does not accept credit for courses sponsored by colleges or universities but taught in a high school to high school students, even if the college provides an official college transcript. Coursework completed while in high school may be considered for credit if there is sufficient evidence that:
The course was a standard course available to all students registered at the college/university.
The course is taken on a college/university campus with matriculated degree students and is taught by a college/university professor.
The course instructor is a faculty member (includes adjunct) at the college offering the course.
The course is not listed on the high school transcript as a course counting towards the high school diploma.
For any college courses taken while in high school that meet these criteria (up to the 15-credit maximum) students must submit the CALS application for college credit earned while in high school for each class along and provide an official college transcript to CALS Office of Student Services for evaluation. The application form is found on the experience.cornell.edu website.
If a student took significant AP/IB courses, dual enrollment courses, or earned an Associate’s Degree along with their high school degree, is this considered a waste since the student may not earn many (or possibly any) non-Cornell (transfer) credits?
We certainly don’t think so! All efforts to challenge oneself academically throughout high school – including AP and IB courses, as well as college-level coursework were certainly recognized in our admissions process. We seek out students who have demonstrated that they are excited about learning and taking on rigorous academic opportunities, as this is the academic environment and culture here at Cornell CALS. Regardless of any non-Cornell (transfer) credit earned, challenging high school coursework has served to prepare students for the academic journey ahead at Cornell!
Could a student end up feeling like they were repeating a course if transfer credit was not awarded for an AP, IB or other college course taken while in high school?
This should not be an issue. Even if a subject area may be repeated, the depth, breadth and rigor covered in the Cornell coursework will build on a student’s previous experience. Again, some departments advise their majors to develop a firm grounding in the subject area and methodology by enrolling in the introductory survey course even if they have credit. It cannot be said enough that having a solid foundation in introductory coursework is essential to future success in more advanced Cornell courses. Further, if a department deems that a student could be in the position of repeating coursework, they may offer subject area placement exams, usually during Orientation.
What is the timing for seeking non-Cornell (transfer) credit as an incoming first-year student?
While there is no required or specific timeline, it is recommended that upon wrapping up AP, IB or other international credential exams that students arrange to have official score reports submitted to Cornell. Once added to a student’s Cornell record, the CALS Registrar team can begin assigning any appropriate transfer credit. For any college courses taken while in high school that meet the specific criteria for non-Cornell (transfer) credit to be earned, students can begin completing course applications once spring courses conclude and final, official college transcripts are available. Please note that the CALS Registrar team will not be able to answer any individual questions on this topic until after July 1.
Helpful Website Resources:
Can I enroll in distribution requirements as S/U?
Yes, the S/U grading option is accepted for distribution requirements, however letter graded may be required for some majors. Students should check with their major department before enrolling in one of these courses S/U.
According to the Class Roster or Distribution Database, the course I completed should have satisfied a Distribution Requirement, but it is not indicated on my DUST degree progress. Can it be updated?
Yes, if students encounter this, they should reach out to CALS Student Services: cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu). Our office can verify that the course fulfilled the Distribution Requirement, and can update the student’s record. This is a quick fix!
How do I know if a course counts towards a Distribution Requirement?
Students are encouraged to use the Distribution Database, which can be found in DUST. They can search by course or by Distribution Category. (Courses highlighted in green also count towards CALS credit.)
Can a course satisfy more than one Distribution Requirement?
No, a course can only fulfill one Distribution Requirement. However, a course may be able to fulfill a Distribution Requirement, CALS credit, and Major Requirement all at once.
Do I need to take an Oral Expression course to complete my Writ/Oral Exp Distribution Category, or can I just take Written Expression courses?
While the college will accept all 9 Expression credits as Written, some majors require their students complete an Oral Expression course to satisfy this category. Students should check with their Major Department for guidance.
Are FWS (First Year Writing Seminars) the only courses that will satisfy the Written Expression Distribution Requirement?
No, there are other courses offered at Cornell that will fulfill Written Expression. Students can search in the Distribution Database to find appropriate courses.
Does CALS accept any out-of-college Distribution Requirement codes to fulfill CALS Distribution Requirements?
Yes, CALS accepts D-HE and SCD-AS to fulfill the Diversity Requirement. CALS accepts the following as long as they are a minimum of 3 credits: CA-HE, HA-HE, KCM-HE, SBA-HE, CA-AAP, FL-AAP, HA-AAP, KCM-AAP, LA-AAP, & SBA-AAP.
How many credits can I enroll in?
Pre-enrollment limits all students to 18 credits.
How/when can I enroll in more than 18 credits?
Once the add/drop period begins, students can add more credits for a maximum total of 22 overall credits per semester.
CALS students are allowed a max of 22 credits per semester. The petition to exceed max credits (located in DUST) is only available/visible in DUST to seniors. Typically, seniors are allowed to exceed 22 credits only if they: need to add more credits in order to stay on track to graduate, have demonstrated via good academic standing and GPA that they can successfully complete a standard credit-load. We encourage them to schedule a meeting with the CALS Registrar or Inclusive Advising Teams to review this request.
Can I pre-enroll in research/TAing/Internship/or Independent Study (special studies)?
Special Studies courses are not available during pre-enroll. These courses require an application which will open prior to the semester starting. Keep an eye on your Cornell email for important dates and deadlines related to the special studies form opening.
I have a hold on my account that's preventing me from enrolling, what do I do?
- Step 1: To check your holds, first sign into your Student Center
- Step 2: Next, check for ‘Holds’ on the right side of the screen
- Step 3: Click on ‘Details’ to read more about your hold(s), and instructions on how to get them removed
- Step 4: Take the appropriate steps to get hold removed
I can’t enroll. The message says that I don’t have an enrollment period.
First, confirm that enrollment is open based on the student's given year (first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are each given different pre-enrollment dates). If the issue persists, contact CALS Student Services at cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu) for assistance.
I got an error code when I tried to enroll in a class, what do I do?
Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:
What are the different grade options?
Every class is offered for one of the following grade options:
Letter Grade (A+ through F) exclusively
Passing is D- and above
Most majors require the major requirements be taken for a letter grade. Check with your faculty advisor for more information.
Pass/Fail Exclusively (SX/UX)
These classes will not impact your GPA
Passing grade is C- or higher
Student Option (S/U)
Students have the choice to decide whether they would like to take the class for a letter grade or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
If you choose to take this class Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, it will not contribute to your GPA
Passing grade is C- or higher
What is a forbidden overlap?
Forbidden Overlap courses are groups of courses that cover material that significantly overlaps in content. Review the Forbidden Overlap List to find courses that, due to an overlap in content, students will receive credit for only one course in each of the groups listed.It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that they are not enrolling in any Forbidden Overlap courses, or any other course they have already taken.
I missed my pre-enroll appointment, can you help me enroll/when can I enroll?
It depends on the situation.
- Students can contact us (cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu)) in advance of pre-enroll if they will be in the deep woods/on a boat/on a plane during their enrollment window and our office will help them enroll.
- If the student missed their pre-enroll period for a situation outside of the one above, the CALS Student Services office can put them in the next pre-enroll appointment slot, if there is one. Otherwise, they will need to wait until the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
Why am I unable to enroll in a course when there are seats open/available?
This is likely occurring because the remaining open seats are reserved. Instructors are able to reserve seats based on class year/major/etc. It is possible they hold the seats during pre-enroll but will open them up during the regular enrollment period. Students are encouraged to reach out to the instructor/department for more information if they wish.
There is a lot that can change between pre-enrollment and the regular enrollment period (seats opened, new sections created, classroom moved to allow more spots, etc.). If the course is needed for the student’s major, or if they are a senior needing this course to graduate, or if it’s a sequence and they won’t be on track without it, and this is the only opportunity to take the course, it will be worked out.
Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:
How do I enroll in a full/waitlisted course? (OR) I enrolled in a course that put me on a waitlist. What should I do?
If the class is full and allows a waitlist, the student will automatically be put on the waitlist. It is recommended that they seek another course. The student may check back to see if any spots open up, or contact the department offering the class to see if additional seats or sections will be made available. Students are not automatically enrolled in a course if they are on the waitlist.
How do I enroll in a course that requires department consent or a permission code?
Please read the class note and description on the Class Roster for any additional information on enrolling. If there are no specific instructions listed, please contact the instructor to request a permission code. Students should feel assured that reaching out for a permission code is expected and needed in these situations.
There is a time conflict with two of my classes, what do I do?
The student should prioritize one of the courses to enroll in, as the time conflict form (located in DUST) will not open until the regular add/drop period just before the semester. Be advised that time conflicts are not recommended and will only be allowed if both instructors of the conflicting courses approve.
Can I change the number of credits I enrolled in for a particular course after I have enrolled?
Yes, as long as the course allows variable credits (this is noted on the Class Roster), and the student’s enrollment window is still open. Students make this edit in Student Center using the ‘edit’ feature. There is a deadline to make this adjustment each semester, so please refer to the Academic Calendar for these deadlines.
Why am I unable to enroll in a FWS (First-year Writing Seminar) even though there are seats available?
FWS are restricted to sophomores and first-year students.
I am unable to enroll because I have a hold on my account. How do I resolve this?
The student will need to contact the office that placed the hold on their account (Bursar, for example), as noted in Student Center. Once the hold has been satisfied, they will be able to enroll. CALS Student Services cannot override any holds placed from other offices.
I got an error code when I tried to enroll in a class, what do I do?
Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:
What are the different grade options?
Every class is offered for one of the following grade options:
Letter Grade (A+ through F) exclusively
Passing is D- and above
Most majors require the major requirements be taken for a letter grade. Check with your faculty advisor for more information.
Pass/Fail Exclusively (SX/UX)
These classes will not impact your GPA
Passing grade is C- or higher
Student Option (S/U)
Students have the choice to decide whether they would like to take the class for a letter grade or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
If you choose to take this class Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, it will not contribute to your GPA
Passing grade is C- or higher
Can I change my grading option after I enroll? (From S/U to Letter Graded or Letter Graded to S/U.)
Yes, as long as the course is offered for either grading option (this is noted on the Class Roster), and the student’s enrollment window is still open. Students make this edit in Student Center using the ‘edit’ feature. There is a deadline to make this adjustment each semester, so please refer to the Academic Calendar for these deadlines.
What does “term maximum exceeded” mean?
The student has enrolled in the maximum number of credits possible for the term. CALS students are unable to enroll in more than 22 credits per semester (18 credits during pre-enroll). This may also happen if the student has reached the maximum allowed classes with the S/U grading option.
How do I enroll in Winter/Summer courses?
All enrollment for non-academic terms (Winter/Summer) is done through the Cornell School of Continuing Education. Students should refer to the SCE website and follow the detailed instructions for requesting enrollment for these non-academic terms.
Is there a limit on how many credits I can take for the Winter/Summer sessions?
Winter:
- Limited to 4 credits. Winter Session classes feature the same content and time requirements as a 15-week class, but condensed into 3 weeks, resulting in a short and intense educational experience. A petition is required to enroll in more than 4 credits; however, doing so is not advisable.
Summer:
- Students can enroll in up to 15 credits during the Summer Session.
- Up to four credits in a three-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 20-credit semester).
- Up to eight credits in a six-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 20-credit semester).
- Up to ten credits in an eight-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 19-credit semester).
- Up to fifteen credits during the entire summer period (May-August).
Can I petition to add a Winter/Summer Session class after the add deadline?
Registration for these courses are managed by the School of Continuing Education so petitions for late class changes and other exceptions must be submitted to the SCE Registrar at cusce [at] cornell.edu (cusce[at]cornell[dot]edu).
Online Cornell University Leave/Withdrawal form (withdrawing from University, not a leave of absence)
Take/return a HLOA (Health Leave of Absence) - student should email healthleaves [at] cornell.edu (healthleaves[at]cornell[dot]edu)
Electronic Student Add/Drop Enrollment Request Form
Used to request instructor permission or obtain a permission code to enroll in a course; petition to add a course past the deadline (excluding CALS Special Studies courses); or drop a course if instruction permission is required.
Forms located in DUST
- Request a LOA (Leave of Absence)
- Petition to go over max credits
- Time conflict
- Application for college credit earned in high school
- Request a letter of good academic standing
- Request a letter of verification of graduation date
- Request a letter of verification of cumulative GPA
- FERPA release
- Post Graduate Survey
- Online application to update degree standing
- Course withdraw request
- Application for external transfer credit
- Request a tutor
Student Petitions located in DUST
- Return from a LOA
- Add a class after deadline passed
- Substitute a course for college distribution requirements
- Change variable credit hours for a class after the deadline has passed
- Return from a Leave of Absence
- Extend the deadline on an incomplete grade
- Study Abroad in your final semester
- Complete remaining coursework/credits at another institution
If you are a student with questions about taking an incomplete and potential impacts, please schedule an appointment with our Inclusive Academic Advising team.
How do I take an INC in a class?
It is the student’s responsibility to initiate a request for an INC. Reasons for requesting one must be acceptable to the instructor and is only appropriate when BOTH of these conditions are met:
- The student has substantial equity at a passing level in the course with respect to work completed.
- The student has been prevented by circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as illness or family emergency, from completing all of the course requirements on time.
Ultimately, an INC is a decision/agreement between the student and their instructor. It is up to the instructor to submit the grade of INC, students do not have to complete a petition to request an INC. Together, the instructor and student will come up with a deadline to complete the remaining coursework. An INC may not be requested/given because a student fails to complete all course requirements on time without explanation.
Can I take an INC in more than one class?
Yes, if the above conditions are met, a student can request INCs in as many classes as needed. Students should be advised that they will be flagged for grade review if taking INCs has resulted in completing less than 12 credits for the semester. Students should be reassured that we review ALL students who complete under 12 credits and this does not automatically mean they will receive some sort of academic action. Students will have a chance to explain their circumstances and plans for course completion during the grade review process.
How long do I have to make up the work for an INC?
When the INC is initially requested, a timeline to make up the work should be discussed and agreed upon with the instructor. If the instructor does not set an earlier deadline, the default completion time for all INCs is two academic semesters.
What happens if I never finish the work for a course I took an INC in?
After two academic semesters, the INC grade will revert to a failure (F or Unsatisfactory if the course is taken S/U).
Students can access CALS Special Studies forms for the current semester through the 5th week of the current semester. Petitions to add a CALS Special Studies will not be accepted after the Special Studies add deadline, no exceptions.
How do I enroll in an undergraduate independent study (4970) or undergraduate research course (4990)?
Go to experience.cornell.edu/opportunities, and enter special studies in the keyword search bar on the left side of the screen. Complete the CALS & Dyson Special Studies (includes 4970 and 4990).
How do I enroll in an undergraduate TA experience (4980)?
Students can either navigate to the application through DUST or experience.cornell.edu/opportunities. When searching for the application on the Experience Cornell site, enter special studies in the keyword search bar on the left side of the screen. Complete the Teaching Assistant 4980 (CALS & Dyson) and 4030 (Human Ecology & Brooks).
How do I enroll in an undergraduate Internship experience (4960)?
Students can navigate to the application through DUST under the Course Enrollment Tools header, titled “CALS Internship Form (4960)”. We recommend reviewing the CALS Internship Guidelines in advance of an internship experience to understand how internship credit is calculated.
Can I receive credit and be paid for an undergraduate TA experience (4980)?
No, students can either receive credit for TA-ing or be paid, not both. Earning credit for a TA experience is much more common as paying undergraduate TA is not always an option depending on the department’s budget. If you are interested in being paid rather than receiving credit, please speak to the faculty member overseeing the experience.
How are credits and grading option (letter grade or S/U) determined for CALS Special Studies?
Students should work with the faculty member who will act as their supervisor in this course, and have a mutual agreement on credits and grading option.
Are CALS Special Studies considered academic credit and counted towards the 120 credits needed for graduation?
Yes, CALS Special Studies are considered academic credit and count towards the 120 credits needed for graduation. CALS students should keep in mind that Special Studies are considered unstructured credit, and a minimum of 105 structured credits are needed for graduation.
Can CALS Special Studies course be repeated for credit?
Yes, Special Studies courses can be repeated for credit. CALS students should keep in mind that Special Studies are considered unstructured credit, and a minimum of 105 structured credits are needed for graduation.
The maximum number of external transfer credits accepted is 60.
What is needed to potentially receive external transfer credit?
If a student would like general CALS credit or to fulfill a Distribution Requirement, the following items should be emailed, mailed, or dropped-off in person to CALS Student Services:
- A completed Application for External Transfer Credit (located in DUST).
- The course syllabus.
- Once the course is complete, an official transcript sent directly from the external institution. We will not accept unofficial transcripts.
If a student wants to fulfill a Major Requirement, they must submit the following to CALS Student Services:
- A completed Application for External Transfer Credit (located in DUST).
- Including Section C, which indicates approval from student’s Major Advisor, OR an email from the Major Department approving the course. The student should contact their Advising Coordinator about this process if they have questions.
- Section B should be completed only if the student needs course equivalency.
- The course syllabus.
- Once the course is complete, an official transcript sent directly from the external institution. We will not accept unofficial transcripts.
If a student wants to bring in college credit earned in high school (max of 15 credits, including AP), they must submit the following to CALS Student Services:
- A completed Application for College Credit Earned in High School (located in DUST).
- The course syllabus.
- An official transcript sent directly from the external institution. We will not accept unofficial transcripts.
Can a student check to see if an external course they want to take has already been approved by CALS for a distribution requirement?
Yes, students should check the CALS Transfer Course Database (located in DUST) for courses that have been approved. If the course they are searching for is listed along with the Distribution Requirement they are seeking credit for, the student does not need to complete an application for external transfer credit (this application is located in DUST). The student should cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (contact CALS Student Services) once the course has concluded and inform us that they have taken a pre-approved course and would like credit for it as listed in the CALS Transfer Course Database. An official transcript must be sent directly from the institution. Once this has been received, our Transfer Support Specialist will review, post the credits, and notify the student.
If a student would like to enroll in a course offered outside of Cornell that is not listed in the Transfer Course Database, how do they get it pre-approved for credit?
- Complete the Application for External Transfer Credit (located in DUST).
- Submit the course syllabus.
Materials can be emailed to cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu), mailed to 215 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853, or dropped off in person at 140 Roberts Hall. Once our office has these two items, our Transfer Support Specialist will review and reach out to the student with approval/denial. Depending on the time of year, the review process may take up to 1-2 weeks.
How can a student receive credit for a course already completed at another institution (for example, a course taken over winter/summer break) that they never sought pre-approval for?
We encourage students to check the CALS Transfer Course Database for potential courses they wish to take outside of Cornell, and/or receive pre-approval before taking a course at another institution, although this does not always happen. The pre-approval process is beneficial to the student so that they can feel confident that the course they are taking elsewhere will transfer into CALS once completed.
If the student did not receive pre-approval for a course they have already completed elsewhere, they must submit the following to CALS Student Services:
- Completed Application for External Transfer Credit (located in DUST).
- The course syllabus.
- An official transcript sent directly to our office from the external institution the course was taken at.
Materials can be emailed to cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu), mailed to 215 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853, or dropped off in person at 140 Roberts Hall (transcript must be in a sealed envelope). Once our office has these two items, our Transfer Support Specialist will review and reach out to the student with approval/denial. Depending on the time of year, the review process may take up to 1-2 weeks.
The deadline to request a ‘W’ is always the last day of classes for the semester.
How do I withdraw from a course?
Students should log into DUST. The Course Withdraw Request form is located under the College Policies/Forms/Procedures column. This form will be available through the last day of classes (NOT the finals period). There are NO exceptions past the deadline.
PE course deadlines vary and are handled by Physical Education and cannot be dropped in DUST. The student should contact the PE Department: (607) 255-4286; ggb26 [at] cornell.edu (ggb26[at]cornell[dot]edu).
What will happen if I withdraw from a class and go below 12 academic credits?
Dropping a course and going below 12 academic credits may be the right decision for the situation, but the student should consult with one of our CALS Inclusive Academic Advisors, as there may be potential implications, especially for financial aid recipients, veterans, international students, and athletes. If the student falls into one of these categories, they should also consult with the appropriate office before withdrawing from a course.
I am interested in attending med/vet/law school – how will a W impact this?
Pre-health students may want to consult with a pre-health advisor in the HPAC office (Health Professions Advising Center) if there are academic concerns about a particular course required for a pre-health pathway.
Can I petition to withdraw without a W?
No, students can only drop classes without a W before the drop deadline. After that date, the only option is to receive a W. Please reference the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
What is the difference between an F (Failure) and a W (Withdrawal) on my official transcript?
The W does not impact GPA, whereas an F will. Neither reflects earned credits, but both reflect attempted credits.
Rather than withdraw, could I change my grading option?
No, the change of grading option deadline (same day as the drop deadline) is firm, and there is no flexibility to petition. Please reference the Academic Calendar for deadlines.
What if I am unable to pass a course (letter or S/U) but I need these credits to graduate?
Schedule an appointment with one of our Inclusive Academic Advisors or a member of our Registrar team to discuss a plan to complete your degree.
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