I have been looking into transferring into Cornell University as a potential MechE Major I was wondering what factors are important in terms of transferring as in GPA (College vs High School), SATs, ECs, Essays, Letter of Recs, Finances, etc.
I am just wondering so I have a clearer picture as to what to expect.
I am under the impression that as a top university, all factors would be important - especially considering that many applicants have 4.0s and 2200+ SAT. However, as admissions are “holistic”, you may find better luck if you have stellar extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations. Financial aid is not a factor as Cornell is need-blind, as long as you are a domestic transfer.
Don’t worry too much about it! Admissions at top universities tend to be very random seeming, and your chance is around the same chance as every other applicant.
@scandal Alright I have heard that if you apply to be a Junior Transfer that SAT scores and High School GPA will not be weighted as much compared to your college GPA and other activities you have done while in college
Does that hold true?
Only an admissions officer can tell you for sure to what degree they will actually weight the various information they ask for. And I am not an admissions officer.
But IMO they must be convinced that you can satisfactorily complete the work at the engineering college. Which is hard.
GPA in college may be given more credence than prior academic work, but if your college is very easy I would not expect them to ignore prior measures that may help them more accurately gauge where you really stand among their other applicants.
If you fall in this camp (easy college with less academically competitive cohort), suggest don’t let inflated performance at an easy school delude yourself. If you get there you will be competing with the students who got in originally, whose academic profile out of college you can find. (eg
http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/6574/screen/19?school_name=Cornell+University )
If you don’t really fit academically in with that cohort, based on what you did in HS, suggest don’t apply. If they do admit you, there is a good chance you will get your butt whipped once you get there. I’ve seen this happen.
On the other hand, if you do fit, go for it.
@monydad I PM-ed you
Any other comments/advice