We conduct a holistic admissions process for all applicants. During our review, we are considering whether candidates have the academic backgrounds (rigor, coursework and grades) to be successful at Cornell CALS; whether the personal attributes and extracurricular experiences shared demonstrate a solid connection with the CALS approach and mission; and that thoughtful fit is expressed for the candidate’s desired major, within Cornell CALS.
Duffield Engineering requires the completion of the following math and sciences classes prior to high school graduation. A unit is equivalent to one academic year of study.
First-year applicants apply to the Cornell Duffield College of Engineering and not to a particular engineering major. Students may indicate an intended major of interest on the Common Application if they wish, but they will not officially select a major until the second semester of their sophomore year.
Duffield Engineering routinely offers credit for appropriately high scores on Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB), and General Certificate of Education (A-level) examinations. For detailed information on the acceptable scores, please refer to the Advanced Placement Credit Table on the College of Engineering website.
Adult students and veterans don't apply for undergraduate admission through a separate pathway at Cornell. Depending on their academic history, they follow the traditional pathway for first-year applicants (never matriculated at a college and earned fewer than 12 credits after high school) or apply as transfer applicants.
Cornell is happy to provide application fee waivers for veterans and current members of the military. Please email veteranadmissions@cornell.edu to request an application fee waiver. Note: do not pay the application fee if requesting a waiver, as the fee is non-refundable.
Cornell undergraduates get to know their professors during their time on campus. In fact, 67% of Cornell classes have fewer than 30 students; 80% have fewer than 50, and only 19% of classes have 50 or more students enrolled. All first-year students take two writing seminars from Cornell's nationally recognized first-year writing program. These classes are capped at 17 students.
