Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2025
January 14, 2025
Once considered the “easiest” Ivy League school to gain admission into, Cornell today has a single-digit admit rate for freshman applicants. However, for anyone who wasn’t able to earn admission right out of high school, the university admits 800+ transfer applicants every year. Even more encouraging, acceptance rates for transfers at this university are roughly double the rate for freshman applicants. The following blog will reveal the Cornell transfer acceptance rate as well as other essential pieces of information like the Cornell transfer deadline, the Cornell transfer requirements, the Cornell transfer decision date, and much more.
Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate
Below we present the most current available Cornell University transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.
In 2023, 6,581 students applied for transfer admission and 834 were accepted. This means that the Cornell transfer acceptance rate was 12.6%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:
- Male transfer applicants: 9.9%
- Female transfer applicants: 16%
When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into a given school, it is important to look at historical data. Many schools have wild fluctuations in transfer acceptance rates from year to year. As you can see, the Cornell University transfer acceptance rate has indeed been somewhat variable in recent years, ranging from 13% to 18%.
Historical transfer rates are as follows:
| Year | Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate |
| 2022 | 13.8% |
| 2021 | 15.7% |
| 2020 | 18% |
| 2019 | 13% |
Transfer Enrollments by College/School
| School/College | Number of Transfer Students Expected to Enroll (Fall 2024) |
| College of Arts & Sciences | 38 |
| College of Engineering | 15 |
| SC Johnson College of Business, Nolan School | 20 |
| College of Architecture, Art & Planning | 7 |
| College of Agriculture & Life Sciences | 226 |
| SC College of Business, Dyson School | 42 |
| College of Human Ecology | 76 |
| School of Industrial and Labor Relations | 126 |
| Brooks School of Public Policy | 6 |
Cornell Transfer Deadline
The university offers both a fall and spring transfer admission cycle. The Cornell transfer deadline for fall applicants is March 15. The deadline for spring applicants is October 15. However, in a recent cycle, spring transfer students were not being accepted so stay mindful of that possibility.
Cornell Transfer Requirements
The Cornell transfer requirements are as follows:
- A Common App for Transfer
- Final high school transcripts
- College transcripts
- College Report
- Mid-Term Report
- One Letter of recommendation
- Portfolios and other supplemental materials (for some majors)
Students who have the best chance to gain admission to Cornell have done the following:
- Completed at least 12 credits of college coursework.
- Earned exceptional grades in their first year at a community college or 4-year university.
- Have completed (or are in the process of completing) required coursework for their intended major/college.
Further, it’s essential to understand the transfer requirements of the college within Cornell that you’ll be applying to. For example, many architecture programs require a portfolio, interview, and/or writing sample. Certain applicants to the College of Human Ecology must complete a Design Challenge. Biological engineering applicants should have completed a full year of biology with lab, two college writing/composition courses, integral and multivariable calculus, and computer programming.
Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)
Cornell Transfer GPA
The minimum GPA required to be considered for transfer is 3.0. That figure jumps to 3.5 for certain programs, such as any major within Dyson and the economics or biology majors within Arts and Sciences. However, in our experience, you will need a GPA of 3.75 or above to be a truly competitive applicant to Cornell.
Cornell Transfer Requirements — Writing Supplement
Academic Interest Essay (all applicants required to complete)
We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.
Remember that this essay is about you and your lived experience. Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. Some examples of community you might choose from are: family, school, shared interest, virtual, local, global, cultural. (2000 characters)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Applicants Only
Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice. (500 word limit)
*Note: There are also several optional short-answer questions.
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning Applicants Only
How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA), or urban and regional studies (URS)? B.Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants may want to consider how they could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students may want to emphasize their enthusiasm and depth of interest in urban and regional studies. Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.
Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)
College of Arts & Sciences Applicants Only
At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences. Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.
Brooks School of Public Policy Applicants Only
The Brooks School of Public Policy brings together leading faculty and scholars across disciplines to tackle society’s most pressing policy issues. Please discuss how your past academic and/or work experience has influenced your choice of major and how transferring to Cornell Brooks would further your academic interests. Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.
College of Business Applicants Only
Tell us what you’d like to major in at Cornell, and why or how your past academic or work experience influenced your decision, and how transferring to Cornell would further your academic interests. Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.
College of Engineering Applicants Only
How do your interests directly connect with Cornell Engineering? What draws you to the particular major you are applying to and how would transferring to Cornell Engineering further your academic interests?
Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)
College of Human Ecology Applicants Only
How has your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE) been shaped and informed by your related experiences? How will what you learn through CHE and your chosen major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should demonstrate how your interests and aspirations align with CHE’s programs and mission. (Refer to our essay application tips before you begin.) Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.
School of Industrial and Labor Relations Applicants Only
Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School.
Cornell Transfer Decision Date
The Cornell transfer decision date will occur at some point during either May or June. Spring applicants will receive a decision in November.
Final Thoughts – Cornell University Transfer Acceptance Rate
In the most recent cycle, 14% of enrolled transfers came from community colleges, while 85% hailed from 4-year universities. One-third qualified for New York State residency status and 8.7% identified as a member of an underrepresented minority group. Unlike some other Ivy League schools, transferring to this institution is an achievable goal if you bring a sparkling college transcript to the table.
If you are looking for information on how to apply to Cornell as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:
Looking for additional transfer resources? You may wish to check out the following:
