Transfer Applicants
Students transfer to Cornell for many reasons. Whether your academic interests have changed or you are looking to continue your education after completing a two-year degree, make Cornell the next step on your journey.
Transfer applications are considered for the fall semester only.
| Deadline | Materials Due |
|---|---|
| March 15 | Application; application fee or fee waiver Portfolio or design supplement (if required for your program of interest) |
| April 15 | All other required materials |
| Date | |
|---|---|
| March 15 | Aid application deadline for international students Priority aid application date for domestic students |
Admission decisions for transfer applicants will be released from late April through June.
Students are considered transfer applicants if they have completed a high school diploma (or an equivalent) and:
Who is not a transfer applicant:
Domestic vs. International
You are considered an international student if you do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students whose permanent resident status is pending are considered international students. If your pending status changes to approved during the application process, please let us know, and we will update your status. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
Submit the Transfer Common Application online.
Cornell’s application fee is $85. However, if the application fee presents a financial burden for you or your family and you plan to apply for financial aid, you may qualify for a fee waiver.
To request a fee waiver on the Common Application:
Please note that your fee waiver will be automatically applied, and you don't need to submit documentation to Cornell.
Official high school/secondary school final transcripts must include coursework and grade performance from 9th through 12th grade. All high school transcript submissions should follow the submission instructions.
All official transcripts/documents must be issued in English. If not, an official translation of all documents must be provided along with the original-language documents. Cornell accepts English translations done by a teacher or school official.
Submit all official college transcripts from all institutions you have attended. All college transcript submissions should follow the submission instructions.
The College Report confirms that an applicant is in good academic and disciplinary standing at their most recent institution.
You must complete the College Report Request form in your Applicant Portal and designate an official at your current college or university to complete the College Report. Once you submit the request form, an email will be sent to the college official asking them to complete the College Report.
For more information, review the submission instructions.
The Academic Evaluation should come from instructors who taught the applicant in a full-credit college course. If an applicant has not been enrolled in school for two or more years, the instructor recommendation may be replaced by a personal or employer recommendation. The instructor or recommender should follow the submission instructions.
Applicants complete the Mid-Term Report when mid-term grades are available for their current spring college courses. Please complete the Mid-Term Report by listing the ongoing courses you're enrolled in for the spring term. The grades entered can be official midterm grades or estimates of your performance based on assignments you've received grades for thus far.
Do not submit this form until you have an official or estimated grade in each class you're taking for the spring. If you aren't enrolled in spring courses, you can note that in this form. If you're unable to provide a grade or assessment for a class, you must provide a written explanation, which can be submitted through the document uploader in your Applicant Portal.
For more information, review the submission instructions.
SAT or ACT scores are neither required nor expected for transfer candidates. All applicants should self-report AP, IB or A-Level exam scores in the Academic History section of the Common Application.
International applicants should review the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
Add Cornell University to your Common App to see the Program Materials required by Cornell:
The following majors require additional material from transfer applicants:
Cornell invites veterans and current members of the military to join its growing community of veteran scholars. There’s never been a better time for those who’ve served in the military to consider Cornell. The veteran community is strong and growing, than
Cornell invites veterans and current members of the military to join its growing community of veteran scholars. There’s never been a better time for those who’ve served in the military to consider Cornell. The veteran community is strong and growing, than
Cornell has a long and prestigious military history. The university formally established a ROTC unit in 1917, and our graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Spanish-American War.
Cornell has a long and prestigious military history. The university formally established a ROTC unit in 1917, and our graduates have served with distinction in every major conflict since the Spanish-American War.
Cornell meets 100 percent of admitted undergraduate students' demonstrated financial need with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants, an annual work-study award, and reasonable student loans depending on total family income. If you plan to apply for aid, you should do so by March 15.
Cornell’s undergraduate admission process for U.S. students* is need-blind, meaning interest in or need for financial aid is not amongst the many factors considered when making admission decisions.
*U.S. students include U.S. citizens, U.S. citizens with dual citizenship, and certain eligible non-citizens such as refugees or asylees. Undocumented students who attended and graduated from a U.S. high school are considered eligible non-citizens for Cornell aid purposes but are not eligible for federal aid.
Cornell’s undergraduate admission process for international students is need-aware, meaning interest in or need for financial aid is one factor amongst many considered when making admission decisions.
If you're an international student who anticipates the need for financial assistance at any point during your undergraduate course of study, you must apply for aid when you apply for admission; see the deadlines listed above. If you do not apply for aid by the posted deadline, you will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any time as an undergraduate at Cornell.
Shortly after you've submitted your Common Application, we'll email you with instructions to log in to your Cornell Applicant Portal. You'll then use that portal to check the status of your application materials, submit additional information as needed, and eventually review your admission decision.
Still need help? Look at the Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us.