Cornell Internal Transfer Division

Internal Transfer Division
220 Day Hall, Cornell University • Ithaca, New York 14853 • (607) 255-4386

Students may not always be satisfied with the Cornell college into which they were originally admitted. They may decide to transfer from one college to another within the university. This process is called internal transfer, and application procedures and deadlines for admission vary among the colleges.

The Internal Transfer Division (ITD) assists students who are considering transfer between colleges within Cornell. ITD provides information, counseling, and advice about undergraduate programs and transfer application procedures. The division also enrolls Cornell students who need to meet specific academic requirements before successful transfer can be accomplished.

Students must apply to the school they would like to enter. It may be possible to be admitted directly into the new program via direct transfer. Students who are uncertain if they qualify for direct transfer, however, should also apply to ITD.

Some students might be unsure about what their target college or major should be, or even whether they should consider transferring. The ITD director can offer guidance in those situations.

Direct Transfer
To be eligible for direct transfer, students usually have to be taking at least a portion of their schedule in the new area during the semester preceding anticipated transfer. Some schools specify the minimum number of credits or courses that would determine eligibility for direct transfer. Students must also meet certain academic standards, such as the attainment of a particular grade point average. Students should discuss their plans with appropriate staff members in the target college to make sure they understand specific requirements and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transfer Through ITD
To apply for transfer through ITD, candidates must interview with the division's director and submit an essay to the ITD office, outlining their reasons for wanting to transfer. They must also fulfill the application requirements (e.g. interviews, essays) of their target college, as though they were applying for direct transfer. In many cases, colleges formally sponsor students in ITD and essentially guarantee admission if students successfully complete the requirements (taking particular courses, earning a specified grade point average while enrolled in ITD) that are outlined in their letter of sponsorship. Students can apply simultaneously for direct transfer and to ITD so that if direct transfer is denied, they might be offered the option of sponsorship in ITD. More than 95 percent of ITD students transfer successfully.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 - 4:30 • Questions? Call Vivian Geller at 255-4386.

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