Cornell Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 12, 2023

cornell transfer acceptance rate

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 from 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 2022, 5,761 students applied for transfer admission, and 798 were accepted. This means that the Cornell transfer acceptance rate is 13.8%. If we break this down by gender, the acceptance rates are as follows:

  • Male transfer applicants: 11%
  • Female transfer applicants: 17%

In 2021, there were 5,908 transfer applicants and 929 individuals were accepted. This means that the Cornell transfer acceptance rate was 15.7%.

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
2020 18%
2019 13%
2018 17%
2017 18%

Transfer Enrollments by College/School

School/College Number of Transfer Students Enrolled (Fall 2023)
College of Arts & Sciences 73
College of Engineering 30
SC Johnson College of Business, Hotel School 31
College of Architecture, Art & Planning 4
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 258
SC College of Business, Dyson School 33
College of Human Ecology 76
School of Industrial and Labor Relations 133
Brooks School of Public Policy 21

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 the most 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:

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)

In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra’s vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning community devoted to “… any person … any study.” We encourage you to think broadly about your life experiences, including how local (e.g., family, school, neighborhood) or global communities you’ve been part of have helped shape your perspective. Responses should be no longer than 1500 characters.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Applicants Only

Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a premier institution of scientific learning, tackling the complex challenges of our time through purpose-driven science. Please discuss how your past academic and/or work experience has influenced your choice of major and how transferring to Cornell CALS would further your academic interests. Responses should be no longer than 3000 characters.

*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

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.

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 have your related experiences influenced your decision to apply to the College of Human Ecology (CHE)? How will your choice of major impact your goals and plans for the future? Your response should show us that your interests and aspirations align with CHE and your choice of major. (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, 12% of enrolled transfers came from community colleges, while 88% hailed from 4-year universities. One-third qualified for New York State residency status and 11% 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:

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:


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