Cornell Engineering: A Virtual Visit

Admitted students are usually those who have excelled in their studies, particularly in math and sciences, and who have grades that are generally in the A range. Most of the students admitted into the College fall within the top 10% of their high school graduating class. When considering a student’s GPA, we look at the rigor of the high school curriculum, whether the GPA is weighted or un-weighted, and whether the student has taken challenging courses if they are offered at their school.

A solid foundation in math is critical for success within our program. We require one year (or one high school unit) of calculus as a key component of the engineering application requirements. Students who do not have access to calculus through their local high school are strongly encouraged to gain calculus experience in either the summer before, or during, their senior year through the following options.

Option 1: Enrollment in calculus through a local college or university. We do have several candidates who are able to find such classes at local community colleges.

Option 2: Enrollment at virtual high schools (such as Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies) or certifications (such as Khan Academy). If you opt for an online course, we encourage you to request that the class be completed in tandem with one of your high school teachers so that they may certify your progression in the course or your completion of the course when you apply for admission to college.

You will want to be sure to detail your plans for calculus in the additional information section of the common application.

AP level coursework is not required as long as candidates receive one full unit of the required subjects (calculus, chemistry and physics) during their high school years. AP level courses are rigorous and having access to this level of coursework can strengthen candidates’ opportunities for admission and potential to succeed academically in the engineering curriculum.

Yes. The College of Engineering routinely offers credit for appropriately high scores on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB), and General Certificate of Education (A-level) examinations.

*Students may also earn credit by taking Cornell Advanced Standing Exam(s) (CASE) during the fall orientation period. CASE exam performance will demonstrate understanding of key subject areas (i.e. calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology) within the framework of the Cornell Engineering curriculum. While these exams are voluntary, they help place students in the appropriate coursework level.

This is an abbreviated list, the comprehensive list of subjects for which advanced placement credit is offered at Cornell University is available online.

The process for this will be explained by the Office of Advising over the summer. Once we have the entire class in place, the Office of Advising will send weekly emails to all matriculating students about next steps.

Transfer credit for college courses taken before high school graduation may be awarded if  the following criteria are met:

• • Students must have received at least a grade of C (not C–) in the course, and the subject matter must be applicable to the Engineering curriculum at Cornell.
  • The Engineering Registrar’s office must receive a signed statement from the high school guidance office certifying that the course was not used to fulfill high school graduation credit.
  • The course must have been taught on a college campus, by college faculty and attended by college students.
  • An official transcript must be received by the Engineering Registrar.
  • If these criteria are met, Cornell faculty will review the course description and award transfer credit if the course is equal in scope and rigor to a corresponding course in the Engineering curriculum. Students may also earn credit by taking Cornell Advanced Standing Exam(s) during the fall orientation period. CASE exam performance will demonstrate understanding of key subject areas (i.e. calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology) within the framework of the Cornell Engineering curriculum. While these exams are voluntary, they help place students in the appropriate coursework level.

No appreciable distinction is made between AP Physics 1 & 2 and AP Physics C other than AP credit is only awarded for a score of 5 on the AP Physics C test. More important is that students have exposure to at least one high level physics class in high school, and students are challenging themselves in the curricular environment that is available to them. Because physics is critically important to many fields of engineering, we prefer that students’ most recent exposure to physics occur in their junior and/or senior year.

Cornell University only allows applicants to apply to one of the seven undergraduate colleges and schools.

No, you do not apply to a particular major; you apply to the college. When you apply to the College of Engineering, you can indicate an intended major if you wish. You do not officially select your major until the second semester of your sophomore year. It is not uncommon for students to change their minds about what area of engineering they’d like to specialize in.

For students applying to Cornell Engineering for fall 2025 enrollment, SAT/ACT test scores are not required but are recommended. For enrollment in fall 2026 and beyond, applicants to all Cornell undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores.

When we receive your application and application fee (or fee waiver request), we will email you with the information you need to establish an online application status account. This may take up to two weeks at peak processing times. Receiving your ApplicantID and PIN via email is your confirmation that we have received your application. Using this secure site, you will be able to track your application materials and update your email address as necessary.

Students are required to submit their Common or Universal Application electronically. We strongly encourage you to upload supplemental materials using your application status portal. If your supplemental material cannot be uploaded electronically, items can be mailed to the below address if necessary.

• Please include full name, application ID#, and birthdate on all correspondence.
  Cornell University Application Processing Center
  East Hill Plaza
  349 Pine Tree Road
  Ithaca, NY 14850-2899

No, Cornell Engineering does not enroll students for a second bachelor’s degree. Individuals who already hold an undergraduate degree need to apply for a graduate degree program.

No, interviews are not required nor are they offered for Engineering. However, an applicant may be offered an opportunity to meet with a Cornell alum once his/her application has been submitted. Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) members may contact prospective students in their local area to see if they would like to meet. The meetings are purely optional, but provide candidates with a chance to learn more about Cornell from an alum’s perspective. If you are unable to meet with a CAAAN member or there is no one available in your area it will not adversely impact your chance of admission.

In order to understand and appreciate the depth and variety of the homeschool experience, the admissions selection committee requires the following information for all four years prior to entering college:

• English: list of books (including all textbooks and other anthologies) you have read each year; how many papers and how long (indicate which are creative and which are expository writing); any research papers (list titles and length of each).
• Social Studies: list of textbooks and books you have read each year; how many papers (topics listed) and how long; independent research projects (titles and lengths).
• Foreign Language: list of textbooks you have read each year; list of projects and/or papers; descriptions and dates of visits to other countries.
• Science: textbooks you have used each year (description of topics covered if you did not use a textbook or only used part of the book); list of experiments and/or field trips; any projects or research done (titles and time spent).
• Mathematics: textbooks (covering which topics) you have used each year; any independent projects (titles and time spent).
• We ask that applicants provide an official high school transcript if available. In addition, you should submit scores from an standardized examinations (state, SATs, ACTs, APs), and any transcripts from any college courses you may have taken. You should also send information on independent projects, laboratory experiences, research projects, etc.

You can still apply Early Decision if you are applying for financial aid. Make sure to follow the financial aid application deadlines and submit all the required forms as outlined on the Financial Aid website. When you receive your financial aid package, we expect you to work with the Financial Aid Office to make any necessary adjustments to your package. If both sides have done as much as possible and your family is still unable to afford Cornell, we will release you from your Early Decision agreement.

Our international applicants follow the same application process as our first-year applicants and transfer applicants.

All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their engagement in their university studies. English proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following methods:

• You are a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident.
• English is your native language.
• English has been the primary language of instruction throughout your secondary school career.

Applicants who do not meet one of these criteria are required to submit an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Score requirements for admissions consideration to be most competitive in our review process include a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum of 130 on the Duolingo English Test. We will accept self-reported TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores from the Common Application. You may also self-report new or updated scores on Cornell’s English Language Proficiency Form which will be available in your applicant portal once you become an applicant. Should you be admitted to and enrolled at Cornell, we will require official test scores sent from the testing agency at that time.

Yes, an increasing portion of the College of Engineering’s early decision pool are international applicants.

Yes, but it is limited. Cornell University provides need-based financial aid on a limited basis to a selected number of admitted international students who have applied for financial aid. For international applicants and undocumented applicants without DACA status, we are need-aware for admissions.

We do not offer merit, athletic or talent-based aid to students. Students who are admitted and demonstrate financial need will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their demonstrated need (Cornell University does not provide partial financial aid awards). For further information on applying for aid as an international student, please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.

Please email the Engineering Admissions Office at engr_admissions@cornell.edu to let us know of your special circumstance. Include your full name, address, and when you expect to hear from the scholarship committee. Deposit extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Admitted first-year students who are required to complete military service can apply for a 1 or 2 year deferral of their enrollment. Please note that a deferral is not formally granted until the Cornell Bursar’s Office has received the enrollment deposit of $400 for a 1-year deferral or $800 for a 2-year deferral.

In order to receive an I-20, students must: be accepted to Cornell, submit their $400 required acceptance deposit, and document their ability to meet the cost of attendance by submitting the Declaration of Finances form. Visa documentation and approval will take time so please submit your Declaration of Finances form when you send your acceptance deposit. For more information, see the United States Government’s Visa website and Cornell’s International Services.