Let’s take a moment to congratulate you on your admission to Cornell and welcome you to our community! This is an incredible time in your life with all types of exciting opportunities now immediately in front of you.
A set of questions we receive every year at this time has to do with advanced placement and transfer credit. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to utilizing credit towards your Cornell degree and there are processes in place to ensure that a balance is met between your receipt of credit and ensuring the credit you receive will serve you well as you move through Cornell’s engineering curriculum. If you are considering using Advanced Placement credit or applying for transfer credit, we encourage you to thoroughly review this and share it with your parents or guardians. While a bit long, you will find valuable information about Advanced Placement credit and transfer credit, defining each and describing how credit may be attained.
It is important to note that credit assessments for both Advanced Placement and transfer credit will not occur until after the first-year deposit deadline in May. You should also note that the Engineering Advising Office will send additional information about receiving credit and the credit review process via email during the first week of June, so more to come soon!
Let’s get started with learning about Advanced Placement and transfer credit.
What is Advanced Placement credit?
Cornell refers to pre-college examinations under the umbrella term “Advanced Placement.” Advanced Placement credit is not transfer credit. At Cornell, Advanced Placement encompasses:
- The College Board Advanced Placement Exams (AP)
- International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exams (IB)
- General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced (“A”) Level Examinations
- Cambridge Pre-University Examinations
What Advanced Placement credit is accepted?
Advanced Placement credit accepted by Cornell Engineering can be found in the most recent Engineering Advanced Placement Credit Table 2024-2025. Please note that the 2025-2026 Advanced Placement Credit Table will be available in early June as well. If the exam is not listed on the table, then no Advanced Placement credit will be awarded.
Should I use my Advanced Placement credit?
Students are not required to use any Advanced Placement—it is their choice! Choosing to use credit will depend on:
- how long it has been since the student took the Advanced Placement exam and whether the material is still front of mind;
- whether a student’s credit is for a technical course that will be a prerequisite for other courses in their academic program or not. If the credit is for a non-technical course (i.e., English), there is no reason not to use it. If the credit is for technical courses (i.e., Math or Physics), or if there is any question about whether a student has mastered the material completely, we recommend that they proceed with caution. Students should be certain that they are prepared to take the next course in the sequence of our curriculum for which their Advanced Placement credit is a prerequisite.
Students interested in health professions and considering a pre-health track may have additional information to consider when determining whether to use Advanced Placement credit.
If in doubt, students may consider not using the credit and taking the course at Cornell or strongly consider taking a Cornell Advanced Standing Exam (CASE) during Orientation to confirm their mastery.
What is transfer credit?
Transfer credit refers to coursework taken at other colleges or universities which students would like to apply towards their Cornell degree requirements. Transfer credit is not the same as AP, GCE, IB, or Cambridge Pre-University credit.
What are the eligibility requirements for transfer credit?
Transfer credit is not guaranteed for any course. It is very important to note that it is subject to review and approval often by departments that are not in the College of Engineering. To be eligible to receive transfer credit for college courses taken while in high school, the course must:
- be offered by regionally accredited, degree-granting, postsecondary institutions. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are not eligible for transfer credit;
- be deemed equivalent in scope and rigor to courses offered at Cornell;
- The academic departments at Cornell (i.e., Math, Chemistry, Physics) will review and determine equivalency to their courses at Cornell. Some academic departments may have additional eligibility requirements.
- meet degree requirements for the undergraduate engineering program;
- not have been used to fulfill high school graduation requirements;
- not have only been offered to high school students and was open to undergraduate degree-seeking students from the college or university where the course was taken;
- have been taught by a faculty member from the college or university where the course was taken;
- have a minimum grade of at least C (not C-). Some academic departments may stipulate a higher minimum grade.
When can I have my transfer credit evaluated?
The College of Engineering is unable to review and evaluate student transfer credit prior to the Admissions deposit deadline, which is May 1st 2025. During the summer months prior to arriving on campus for the start of a student’s academic year, students may work with Engineering Advising to get their transfer credit evaluated and added to their student record, if appropriate and approved. To more fully understand the transfer credit policies and processes for specific departments, please review the following resources:
The College of Engineering Transfer Credit Application Process
Math Department
Physics Department
Chemistry Department
Computer Science
For both Advanced Placement credit and transfer credit, students should consider the benefits or risks of starting ahead in the curriculum, or whether they want to start with the common curriculum foundation courses so as to spend the first semester reviewing material and filling in any potential gaps. Doing so often allows students to build or reinforce their academic foundation while transitioning to college life.
We hope this information is helpful to you as you formulate your plans!
~ Scott M. Campbell, Executive Director of Admissions and Recruitment
~ Liane Fitzgerald, Director of Engineering Advising