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Advanced Placement (AP) and Transfer Credit Policy

 

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Cornell’s university policies establish the standards for advanced standing, transferability, documentation, and credit limits. CALS applies those policies within the context of its own degree requirements and academic programs. Because the way credit applies may vary by subject and major, select the path below that applies to you and consult the appropriate major department with any questions. Cornell uses the term “Advanced Placement” to encompass several types of pre-college examinations. In CALS, the following exam types are accepted:

  • College Board AP Exams (CEEB)

  • International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams (IB)

  • French Baccalaureate

  • General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level)

  • Cambridge Pre-University Exams

  • Cornell Advanced Standing Exams (CASE)

Please refer to the University Catalog for a comprehensive list of Advanced Placement sources and the credit awarded by Cornell University.

General Policies for Advanced Placement Credit

  • Credit is awarded only for acceptable exam scores.

  • Students are limited to 15 advanced placement credits (this includes all non-Cornell (transfer) credit earned before matriculation as a first-year student from an accredited college/university.

  • If you have more than 15 credits, you will be able to choose which credits are applied to your record after the add deadline in your first semester at Cornell. 

  • Students who matriculate to CALS from outside Cornell may earn a maximum of 60 total transfer credits, which includes the 15 AP credits.
  • Credit policies vary by subject. Review the Advanced Placement credit tables in the University Catalog and any CALS-specific guidance for your major before making enrollment decisions.
  • Advanced placement or international exam credit will not be awarded in any subject area without official documentation of the exam score.
  • All advanced placement examinations (except departmental CASE) are taken and scored before students matriculate and before fall-term classes begin.
  • Students who take CEEB AP tests in high school should have their official score reports sent directly to Cornell as soon as possible. Students who have completed either GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, French Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Pre-University examinations must present the original or a certified copy of their examination certificate to the CALS Office of Student Services, 140 Roberts Hall. Those who wish to take CASE should do so during Orientation week in August.

How to send official scores or documents?

Official score reports and transcripts must be sent before credit can be reviewed and posted. 

AP scores (College Board)  

Arrange for the College Board to send your official score reports directly to Cornell University using code 2098. The CALS Registrar will review your report and award the appropriate credit based on your scores. Credit will then be added to your official record and transcript. If you have satisfied the above step but still do not see your AP credits in Student Center, please fill out and submit the University Registrar’s Request Form to have them search for any scores that Cornell has received.

IB/French Baccalaureate/GCE A-Level Exam Credit

Submit your official IB, French Baccalaureate, or GCE-A level transcript to the CALS Student Services office in 140 Roberts Hall. The CALS Registrar will review your original transcript and award the appropriate credit based on your scores. If you have satisfied the above step but still do not see your IB/French Baccalaureate/GCE A-level credits in Student Center, please email the CALS Registrar at cals-studentservicesregistrar [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu) to have them search for any scores that Cornell has received.

Cornell Advanced Standing Exams (CASE)

During Orientation in August (not before matriculation), optional Cornell Advanced Standing Exams (CASE) are offered in areas such as math, physics, chemistry, and computer science. Your performance on these exams may result in advanced placement credit if you demonstrate proficiency in the subject area. These exams occur before the start of the Add/Drop period and the first day of classes. Information will also be posted on the specific department pages (i.e., Chemistry CASE information will be on the Chemistry department website).

Processing note: AP credits may still be in process during the summer and may not appear immediately.

If expected credit does not appear by the end of the first week of classes, please fill out and submit the University Registrar’s Request Form ↗ to have them search for any scores that Cornell has received.

Transfer Credit Policy

If you plan to complete coursework at another institution after enrolling at Cornell, you must obtain pre-approval before registering. Transfer credit is not automatic, and completing a course without prior approval puts you at risk of that credit not being accepted. Transfer credit is never guaranteed. Students are responsible for understanding applicable policies and taking the required steps before and after completing coursework at another institution.

Current CALS students who plan to complete coursework at another institution after matriculation must review the CALS and Cornell University Transfer Credit Policy before registering elsewhere. Pre-approval is required before completing coursework at another institution with the intent to transfer credit back to Cornell. In many cases, you must also confirm course eligibility in advance and submit official documentation after completing the course.

Incoming Transfer Students from Outside Cornell: Starting Fall 2025, transfer students from outside Cornell who entered Cornell as of Fall 2025 and later must complete two PE courses and the university water competency. The PE department will accept one PE transfer credit. A transfer student from outside Cornell requesting a review of a PE course should submit the request form and a syllabus. Courses that are already articulated are available on the Transfer Equivalency System (TES) for students to explore.

Eligibility and Credit Limits at a Glance

The following key numbers apply to all CALS undergraduates:

60 credits

Maximum transfer credits allowed (total)

15

Maximum pre-matriculation college credits (earned before Cornell)

at least 60 academic credits

Minimum credits that must be completed at Cornell to graduate

letter grade of C or higher

The minimum grade required for transfer credit (or certified C-equivalent for S/U)

Transfer Credit Policies

The following policies apply to all CALS undergraduates:

RuleDetails
InstitutionMust be taken from a U.S. institution of higher learning that is regionally accredited and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  
Summer/Winter

Current CALS students are welcome to take transfer courses during the summer or winter terms. Coursework during fall or spring is permitted only if the student is on an approved official leave of absence and has obtained pre-approval for the credits.

Concurrent EnrollmentTransfer credit will not be awarded for courses taken during a fall or spring semester in which a student is also enrolled at Cornell, or for courses with semester dates overlapping Cornell’s terms. These courses are ineligible for transfer credit.
Minimum gradeC or higher (letter grade). Pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) coursework may receive credit if the institution certifies that the work was completed at the level of C or better.
Credit limitUp to 60 academic credits total, based on full-time semesters spent elsewhere. Students will not be granted more transfer credit than they were awarded by the offering institution.
Cornell GPATransfer GPA is not calculated into your Cornell GPA. Only the credits transferred and the institution name appear on your official Cornell transcript.
Quarter creditsCredits from quarter-system institutions are converted to semester credits by multiplying by two-thirds.
Major requirementsMajor departments determine how transfer courses may be used to fulfill major requirements.
College coursework earned while in High School

May be eligible if: (1) the course was a standard course available to all degree-seeking students at the college or university; (2) taken on a college or university campus with matriculated degree students; (3) taught by a faculty member (including adjunct faculty); and (4) not listed on the high school transcript as a course counting toward the high school diploma or CALS admission requirements.

This credit counts toward the 15 pre-matriculation credits.

Submitting transcripts after course completion

Upon completion of the course, have the offering institution send an official transcript to CALS Student Services by email or mail. Credit will not be posted until all required documentation has been received and reviewed. Self-reported grades and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

Contact information for submitting official transcripts: 

Email (strongly preferred): cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Mail: Cornell University, CALS Office of Student Services, 215 Garden Ave., 140 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Before You Enroll Elsewhere

Before enrolling in a course at another institution, students must:

  • Review CALS and Cornell University Transfer Credit Policy
  • Complete the Application for External Transfer Credit for each course for which transfer credit is requested
  • Understand how the credit may apply to your degree requirements.
  • Be prepared to provide a syllabus and supporting materials for review, if needed
  • Obtain major advisor approval on the form if requesting to apply transfer credit toward major requirements. 

If you are deciding between enrolling in a Cornell course or using existing credit, consult your major department before making changes to your schedule. If you do not confirm eligibility in advance, you risk completing coursework that may not transfer. 

Ready to Apply? See below for the Transfer Credit Application Pre-Approval Process.

Questions? Contact Us

Credit policies can be complex, especially when they involve majors, college requirements, and types of coursework. The right office depends on your question:

For general questions about CALS credit policies

Contact CALS Student Services

For questions about how credit applies to your major  

Contact your major department

 

Transfer Credit Application Pre-Approval Process

CALS provides step-by-step guidance for getting transfer credit approved. The process varies slightly depending on when and where the credit was earned. 

 Important: This process is available to currently enrolled CALS students. Transfer credit cannot be officially reviewed for prospective students. If you have not yet been admitted to Cornell CALS, please contact Cornell Admissions.

Current CALS students who plan to complete coursework at another institution after matriculation must review the CALS and University Transfer Credit Policy before registering elsewhere. College policy requires pre-approval if a student intends to transfer back credits after matriculation. In many cases, students must confirm course eligibility in advance and submit official documentation after completing the course.

Course Credit (General)

Applying for Transfer Credit

There is no comprehensive list of pre-approved courses for CALS transfer credit. You will need to identify courses at other institutions that are comparable in content and rigor to the Cornell requirement you are trying to fulfill, then seek approval from CALS Student Services.

Cornell is developing a database of transfer course equivalencies, available in the TES Equivalency Database, and CALS has a Transfer Database. However, currently, these databases are not comprehensive. Students should check the databases often for updates. The Physics Department maintains a list of approved transfer credit Physics courses. In addition, students should still feel free to propose and apply for other transfer courses not on any approved list that appear to be equivalent to courses here at Cornell. Students will need to first consider which degree requirement they hope to fulfill (such as a Math course), then search for courses at other colleges and universities that are comparable in content and rigor to that requirement at Cornell, and then seek approval from the CALS Student Services Office per the steps below.

Step-by-Step Process
  1. Download the Application for External Transfer Credit.
  2. Complete the Student and Transfer Course Information section of the form. Complete the student information and course details for each course you are requesting credit for. This is required and will be returned if not completed.
  3. Attach a course description and detailed syllabus. You must include a syllabus for the external course. Applications submitted without this will not be processed.
  4. Get departmental approval from the relevant Cornell department (optional). The Cornell department whose course you want to receive credit for must review and sign the form. Many departments have their own additional transfer credit petition forms. See common department contacts below.
    • If you plan to use the class for minor requirements, you need to contact the minor department for approval in writing.
  5. Get your academic advisor’s signature. Email the form to the major advisor or the department advising coordinator for their signature.
  6. Submit the completed form to CALS Student Services. Email the fully completed form with all required signatures and attachments to CALS Student Services at cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu)
  7. Receive your decision. CALS Student Services will email you a decision, typically within two weeks of receiving all required materials (this may be longer at certain points in the semester). Approval is your assurance that the course will transfer, provided you earn a C or better.  Keep the decision for your records.
  8. Send your official transcript after completing the course. Have the external institution send the official transcript directly to CALS Student Services from the offering institution by email: cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu) (strongly preferred). If an official electronic transcript is not possible, have one mailed directly to: Cornell University, CALS Office of Student Services, 215 Garden Ave., 140 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853. Photocopies are not accepted. 

After your credit is posted, Transfer credit grades do not appear on your official Cornell transcript and are not factored into your Cornell GPA. Only the number of credits and the institution where they were earned will appear. 

Common departmental contacts:

Chemistry: chemistry.cornell.edu/credit-transfers  Physics: https://physics.cornell.edu/transfer-credit  Math: math.cornell.edu/transfer-credit Biology: Contact the Office of Undergraduate Biology at bioadvising [at] cornell.edu (bioadvising[at]cornell[dot]edu) Computer Science: See the CS department website for their transfer credit Google Form

College Credit Earned While in High School (Dual Enrollment)

If you took a college-level course at an accredited college or university while in high school, you may be able to transfer those credits to Cornell. To be eligible, all of the following must apply:

  • The course was not used to fulfill high school graduation credit.
  • The course was taught by college faculty from that institution.
  • Enrollment in the course was open to degree-seeking undergraduate students at that institution. It was not limited to high school students only.
  • You earned a letter grade of C or better.

If attempting to transfer credit earned prior to your matriculation at Cornell (i.e., while you were in high school), follow the same eight-step process outlined above for applying for general course credits in the CALS application for credit earned while in High School for each class, and an official college transcript to CALS Office of Student Services.  

Submitting transcripts after course completion

Upon completion of the course, have the offering institution send an official transcript to CALS Student Services by email or mail. Credit will not be posted until all required documentation has been received and reviewed. Self-reported grades and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

Contact information for submitting official transcripts: 

Mail: Cornell University, CALS Office of Student Services, 215 Garden Ave., 140 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Email: cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu)

Questions? Contact Us

Credit policies can be complex, especially when they involve majors, college requirements, and types of coursework. The right office depends on your question:

For general questions about CALS credit policies

Contact CALS Student Services

For questions about how credit applies to your major  

Contact your major department

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

How to use advanced placement credit, and how does it apply to my degree?

AP credit awarded by CALS can be applied to your degree in several ways, depending on the subject and your major requirements:

  • Enroll in a more advanced course immediately, for example, placing into second-term mathematics in the first semester.
  • Substitute elective coursework during your first year or later, while maintaining good academic standing.
  • Fulfill basic degree requirements with fewer courses, though you must still maintain at least 12 academic credits per semester to remain in good standing.

Keep in mind that posted credit does not automatically satisfy all requirements. Depending on the subject, credit may:

  • Count toward your overall degree credit total
  • Place you out of an introductory course
  • Satisfy a CALS distribution requirement
  • Require review by your major department before it can be applied to major requirements

 

If you are unsure how posted credit applies to your plan, contact your major department or CALS Student Services before enrollment.

How to know if my Advanced Placement Credit Counts toward my CALS Degree Requirements?

Visit the Advanced Placement (AP) Credit Table to see the list specific to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). For more information about advanced placement credit and a comprehensive list of Advanced Placement sources and credit awarded by the University, please refer to the Courses of Study.

Because major requirements vary, you should also confirm directly with your department or faculty advisor whether your AP credit will be accepted toward your specific program’s requirements. Your advisor may also recommend that you forfeit your AP credit and take the equivalent Cornell course instead, for example, if your major requires that specific Cornell course, or if it will better prepare you for upper-level coursework. This decision is ultimately yours to make in consultation with your advisor.

Should I retake a course I already received credit for?

If a Cornell course is determined to be equivalent to credit you have already received, you may retake it at Cornell, but academic credit can only be earned once for that course unless Cornell explicitly allows repeated credit. This means retaking a course you already have credit for will not add new credits toward your degree and could effectively increase the total number of credits you need to complete to graduate.

Important

Enrolling in a Cornell course that duplicates credit you already earned may affect whether that existing AP credit can still count toward your degree, and may delay your path to graduation. Ask your advisor before enrolling in any course that may overlap with posted AP credit.

My AP credit is not posted yet. What should I do?

If you submitted official scores or documents and your credit is not yet posted, first confirm that:

  • All official materials were submitted through the correct channel
  • Enough time has passed for processing
  • You reviewed the correct area of your student record

If expected credit does not appear by the end of the first week of classes, please fill out and submit the University Registrar’s Request Form to have them search for any scores that Cornell has received.