Does Cornell prefer transfer applicants from certain colleges or types of colleges?

Generally speaking, Cornell has no preferences regarding the institution from which a student transfers. With that noted, about a quarter of the transfer students come from community colleges.

As applications are reviewed, the most important factors considered include:

  • ability to articulate interest in a particular program at Cornell via the application essay (part of the Writing Supplement)
  • academic credentials from the applicant's current institution
  • recommendations from the applicant's college/university professor(s)

Also reviewed:

  • involvement in extracurricular activities and academic credentials from high school

In the final analysis, college coursework and application essay(s) are the most important factors in the transfer admission decision. SAT and/or ACT scores are not required or expected of transfer applicants to Cornell. Admitted students generally have achieved a 3.3 or better college/university GPA. Please keep in mind that transfer admission is selective and highly competitive. For more information, see the Transfer Applicants webpage.

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