Transfer Option Summary
The Transfer Option is offered to a select number of first-year applicants to the College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences (CALS). This non-binding option is not an offer of admission; candidates are required to complete a set of
firm requirements and a short application to transfer to CALS sophomore year.
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This option pertains only to the major to which you initially applied. Students need to complete all of the
transfer course requirements and the GPA requirement while studying full time (12 credits or more) both fall
and spring semesters of their freshman year.
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If you determine that you would like to be considered for a different CALS major, you must submit a
written request along with a statement of interest to cals_admissions@cornell.edu. Candidates requesting
a change of major during the school year should also include an unofficial transcript and a copy of your
spring course schedule if available. Pending approval of your request, you should plan to meet the
transfer requirements for your original Transfer Option major and for the major you are requesting a
change to. You cannot request a change of major to Applied Economics and Management. The Selection
Committee reserves the right to deny any change of major request.
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Students who know now that they do not want to transfer to their Transfer Option major should forgo the
Transfer Option and apply as an external transfer applicant. The Selection Committee will take into
consideration that they were granted a Transfer Option to another major.
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Students that have not completed the Transfer Option requirements will still be considered for transfer
admission, but will be reviewed with the regular transfer applicants. The Selection Committee will evaluate each
application on a case by case basis.
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Candidates who are offered a Transfer Option must reply (see calendar) to the CALS Admissions Office to
confirm their interest in this offer.
Transfer Option Requirements
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Attend an accredited 2 or 4- year institution that provides access to the required courses for your CALS major.
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Complete all course requirements for your major with a "B" or better in each course. Earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA
in your first college semester and a 3.0 average at mid-term during the second semester. Applied Economics &
Management and Biological Sciences majors are required to earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
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Study full-time (12 or more credits each semester) during the fall and spring semesters.
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Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing during the academic year.
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Complete and submit the Transfer Option application by March 15.
6/09/2015
Transfer Course Requirements
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Transfer course requirements by major are found on the CALS Admissions website:
http://cals.cornell.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/requirements/.
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Required courses must be completed for a grade and credit; repeating a course or taking a course
satisfactory/unsatisfactory or pass/fail does not fulfill requirements.
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Required coursework should be taken in the fall and spring semester. If you are unable to enroll in required
courses at your first institution, you may take courses during the summer prior to your first college semester to
meet requirements. Coursework completed during the summer after you submitted your application does not
fulfill requirements.
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In some cases, AP or IB credit can be used to fulfill required course requirements.
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Quarter System – CALS semester system awards quarter system credits by calculating .67 credits per each credit
of study at an institution on the quarter system. A 3-credit quarter system course therefore will be awarded 2
credits.
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Your first institution’s credit policies may differ from CALS’; the CALS Non-Cornell Credit Policy will be
followed: http://cals.cornell.edu/academics/registrar/policies/transfer-credit/.
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Placing out of a course at your first institution may not fulfill a course requirement for the CALS
Transfer Option.
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Once you select the institution you will be attending, find out if a course will fulfill a requirement by:
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Checking the CALS Transfer Course Equivalencies database.
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Comparing course descriptions at your institution with Cornell courses by viewing the Courses of Study.
Admission decisions may be based on the fall transcript and spring mid-term grade report.
Transfer Option Calendar
July 1
Complete and submit the online reply form by this date.
MidDecember
Transfer Option application link emailed to all candidates who accepted the Transfer Option offer.
March 15
Transfer Option application due; application fee is waived.
Mid-AprilJune 1
Applications reviewed, decisions made, and applicants informed of decisions.
Stay in touch with us!
We look forward to assisting with your transfer planning this year. Please make sure to bookmark this page for
future reference to help you prepare to transfer to CALS. Check back from time to time for updates.
Update CALS Admissions with any changes to your primary email address.
Questions? Please email our office at cals_admissions@cornell.edu or call us at (607) 255-2036.