Internal transfer is possible, but not guaranteed. A student’s ability to transfer to another Cornell college or school is based on several factors, including fit, requirements, eligibility criteria, and space in the college/school you'd like to transfer to. The earliest the internal transfer application is available to first-year students is March 1 for mid-June notification, following your first year of study.
Once students are admitted to Cornell, they will be contacted by the advising department of their undergraduate college or school and informed of any placement tests that may be a part of new student orientation. Placement examinations are administered to determine a new student’s appropriate level of study within a discipline.
Newly admitted students may not change the college or school to which they were admitted before arriving in the fall. Students will need to complete at least two semesters in the college or school to which they are admitted to fully explore options. There are often multiple ways to pursue your academic interests and goals at Cornell.
All new undergraduate students at Cornell participate in an orientation program before classes begin. Students will have the opportunity to explore the university, learn about academics and the intellectual community, and meet lots of their fellow Cornellians! Please visit the New Student Orientation page for more information.
NetIDs are issued by IT@Cornell to newly admitted enrolling students starting in early April. You will receive information and instructions via email on how to activate your NetID.
After you submit your enrollment deposit and receive your Cornell NetID, you can sign up for housing through the Housing Portal. The deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2026. More information will be coming from our Housing Office, so please be sure to check your email. Housing is guaranteed for first-year students.
In addition to virtual events, Cornell Days is a one-day visit program in Ithaca, NY, with consistent programming options across the three dates offered. Newly admitted first-year students and families are invited to campus to connect with their college or school, tour campus, and enjoy a meal in one of our many Cornell Dining eateries.
