Are you seeking to move thoughtfully and intentionally forward on a new path? Are you primarily seeking to move away from your current path? Or maybe it’s a combination of both?

While many reasons may inform your pursuit of internal transfer at Cornell, you should be primarily grounded in seeking out a new educational opportunity that you believe has emerged as a better fit for you. Your direction should be academically informed, meaning based on coursework you have taken, outcomes you have earned, and advising meetings you have had that all support internal transfer as a solid step forward in your Cornell career. You should view your essay as an opportunity to share your journey and articulate why you are pursuing internal transfer.

It is natural to be drawn to a new major — and it may be the case at Cornell that the new major means joining a new college. Given that there are differences in the academic landscape from college to college, it is important to consider internal transfer from all angles, including:

• What is the mission of the college?
• What degree type is offered?
• What are the degree requirements in terms of distribution requirements, and how many credits must be taken within the college?
• Are other academic areas you are interested in offered within the college?
• What are the requirements to remain in good standing?
• Can you earn credit for research, and is there a research honors option offered?
• Would you be able to study abroad if you wanted to?
• What is the advising approach in the college?
• If moving from a contract college to an endowed college (or vice versa), could there be a change in cost involved?
• What is the advanced standing (AP/IB, etc.)/transfer credit policy?

Consider what courses you’ve taken or other experiences you’ve had that have been most exciting and fulfilling for you; also, consider which courses and experiences have resonated with you the least. Consider various pathways to pursue your academic interests and goals (including relevant considerations such as cost/financial aid and transfer credit) prior to proceeding.

EXPLORE PATHWAYS

Meet with an advisor in your home college to discuss your plans and understand what options are available to you if you don’t end up internally transferring out. You are also encouraged to investigate whether a minor may be the best way to pursue additional academic interests.

In some cases, the same major is shared between multiple Cornell colleges. What this means is that these two colleges share this disciplinary focus, and the major draws from the academic strengths of both colleges, leading to a very rich community of scholars. If this is true about the major you are interested in, it is important to understand that the major requirements and opportunities are the same for students in both colleges. What is different is the college, or academic home base, that informs what surrounds your major. Thinking about fit at the college level can help you determine which will be the best academic home base for you within Cornell. See the list shared for the question above. Have you considered all aspects of what it means to be a student in that college?

Since acceptance to your target college is not guaranteed, you should have the option to continue in your current academic program. Communicate with your current college/school advisor(s) to ensure that you continue to make appropriate degree progress and remain in good academic standing at Cornell.

Requirements and eligibility vary from college to college, which is why it is important to carefully review the website of the college you are applying to. Requirements and eligibility criteria you may find from college to college include minimum Cornell GPA, required foundational courses, acceptable timing for internal transfer, whether you can internally transfer if you joined Cornell as an external transfer, and if an advising meeting is required as part of the internal transfer process.

Review College and School Requirements

Financial aid at Cornell is awarded based on family financial need in relation to cost of attendance. For New York State residents who internally transfer from a contract college to an endowed college or from an endowed college to a contract college, there is a cost of attendance change, though because financial aid will be adjusted accordingly, this may or may not be a change that impacts your family’s contribution. As this differs based on each individual situation, the best thing to do is to meet with Cornell’s Office of Financial Aid in advance of applying for internal transfer to ensure you go into the process understanding cost/financial aid implications (and ensuring that you are sharing this information with those supporting you financially). Helpful websites include Financial Aid and the Bursar Rates and Fees.
 

Criteria for accepting advanced standing (AP/IB, etc.) or transfer credit may vary from college to college. Therefore, if you are admitted for internal transfer, any advanced standing or transfer credits you have will be reevaluated and reapplied to your academic record based on your new college’s criteria. The Cornell Courses of Study provides information on Advanced Placement & Advanced Standing, and each college provides information on its transfer credit policy. While it is helpful to be aware of this prior to internal transfer, it may not be possible for the college where you are applying to provide you with an advance summary or evaluation of advanced standing or transfer credit.