Eligibility

To be eligible for internal transfer to CHE:

  • Students must have completed or be in the process of completing the major and college-based coursework.
  • Students must be in good academic standing in their home college with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must earn at least a 3.0 in the semester during which they apply.
  • Students must be in good disciplinary and integrity standing with Cornell University and their home college and not have any pending status inquiries at the time of application.
  • Students must be on track for on-time graduation from Cornell after internal transfer. Students for whom an internal transfer will result in needing additional time to complete their degree beyond the senior year will be denied.

Information sessions

A CHE Internal Transfer Information Session is the best place for admissions and coursework advising. Prospective internal transfers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to attend an information session well in advance of applying. These Zoom-based sessions will be held twice each academic semester. 

 

Spring 2026 Schedule

 

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 4:30 pm (ET) | Zoom

Meeting ID: 964 2465 9284 
Passcode: 019718 

 

Attended a session and have additional questions? che-intransfer [at] cornell.edu (Email us).

college student lounging in a chair and working on a laptop

Application process

Current first-year students: The first opportunity to apply is at the end of your second semester. Applications submitted after a single semester will be denied.

Current sophomores can apply once they have completed the required preparatory coursework (below) for CHE and their intended major.

Current juniors are rarely considered for an internal transfer to CHE.

Qualified pre-med/pre-health candidates should apply for the first semester of their sophomore year. High-performing pre-med/pre-health current sophomores may be considered for an internal transfer as second-semester sophomores or first-semester juniors.

All internal transfer applicants must complete the Cornell University Internal Transfer application.

Within that application, applicants will submit a statement (up to 600 words) that should convey the following:

  • Your interest in a Human Ecology major, how it developed, and how you have tested it.
  • Possible professional goals/interests you are considering, and how Human Ecology will help you attain those goals.
  • Your extracurricular, work and volunteer/service experiences, research and other involvement at Cornell and in the greater communities. This can be submitted as a résumé, but you are also welcome to more deeply describe CHE-related involvements.
  • Any other pertinent factors regarding your candidacy.

Required supplements

In addition to the application and statement, applicants to Design + Environmental Analysis and Fashion Design and Management are required to submit a design supplement by the internal transfer application deadline.

The internal transfer process is selective and competitive. Admission to the Human Biology, Health, and Society (HBHS) major is extremely competitive, and only students who meet the coursework (below) and GPA requirements should apply.

Internal transfer applicants should:

  • have a minimum Cornell University cumulative GPA of 3.0, with "B" or better grades in courses for your target major;
  • have taken or be taking major and college-related required coursework (below); and
  • provide evidence of a strong, well-considered connection between your academic/career interests, extracurricular engagements, and your target major via the application essay.

Internal transfer application decisions are made after we receive final grades for the semester during which the application was submitted. Decisions are posted on the application portal. There is no appeal process.

Human Ecology Building refleting color on the snow in the courtyard

Required coursework

You need to enroll in classes that are consistent with your College of Human Ecology interests and appropriate for and keep you in good standing in your current college and major.

  • Updates to the coursework requirements have been posted in early September
  • Review course requirements for "All Majors" and those specific to your target major.
  • Courses must be completed or in progress at the time of application. Meeting the course requirements does not guarantee admission.
  • Courses must be taken for a letter grade. Our most competitive internal transfer applicants will have a minimum Cornell University cumulative GPA of 3.0, with grades of "B" or better in courses for their target major.
  • Review the curriculum sheet for your target major to more fully understand the requirements listed below.
  • CHE and its departments adhere to their own established AP/IB rules. Refer to curriculum sheets for more information.

Students applying to any CHE major must complete the following requirements.

First-Year Writing Seminar (1-2 semesters)

The College of Human Ecology accepts a score of 5 on the AP English Literature and Composition or the AP English Language and Composition exam as fulfillment of a maximum of one First-Year Writing Seminar. One FWS must be taken at Cornell University.

Quantitative course (e.g., mathematics, statistics) (1 semester)

Refer to your target major curriculum sheet for more information.

The College of Human Ecology accepts a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam as calculus fulfillment. We do not accept AP Calculus AB.

Natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) (1-2 semesters)

Refer to your target major curriculum sheet for more information.

All pre-med/pre-health applicants, regardless of their target major, must have taken or be taking the CHEM 2070- CHEM 2080 sequence.

The CHE Admissions Committee recommends that students pursue "Natural Science 1" when given the option to choose "Natural Science 1" or "Natural Science 2."

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the DEA major must complete:

* Summer offerings, if available, are appropriate for the internal transfer process.     

Complementary preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • ECON 1110

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Fashion Design major must complete:

Those applying to enter as juniors must have already taken FSAD 1170, 1350, 1450, 2640, and 2660.

Complementary preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • ECON 1110

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Fashion Design Management major must complete:

 Complementary preparation:

  • HD 1120 or 1130
  • Coursework in PUBPOL, DEA, NS

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Fiber Science major must complete:

  • At least one field-specific course
    • FSAD 1350/1360
  • MATH 1110-1120, MATH 1110-1220, or MATH 1910-1920
  • CHEM 2070/2080, or CHEM 2090/2080
  • Current sophomores: PHYS 1101-1102, PHYS 1112-1113, or PHYS 2207-2208

Complementary preparation:

  • CS 1110, CS 1112, or CS 2110
  • Statistics (PUBPOL 2100, AEM 2100, ILRST/STSCI 2100, MATH 1710, or ENGRD 2700)
  • Coursework in HD, DEA, NS

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Global and Public Health Sciences major must complete:

  • At least one field-specific course
    • NS 1600 or NS 2600 with a grade of "B" or better (not "B-")
  • One required introductory chemistry course (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options) with a grade of "C" or better
  • One required introductory biology course (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options) with a grade of "C" or better

Complementary preparation:

  • Biology (see GPHS curriculum sheet for options)
  • Coursework in HD, PUBPOL, DEA, FSAD
  • STSCI 2150 or BTRY 3010

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Human Biology, Health and Society major must complete:

  • At least one field-specific course
    • NS 1150, 1220, 2600, 3410
  • CHEM 2070 (or CHEM 2090) and CHEM 2080

For current sophomores:

  • CHEM 3570/3580
  • At least 3 credits that fulfill the HBHS introductory biology requirement (see HBHS curriculum sheet)

Complementary preparation:

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Human Development major must complete:

  • At least one field-specific course
    • HD 1130, 2090, 2150, 2170, 2180, 2510
  • Biology (see HD curriculum sheet for specific options)

In addition to the requirements for students applying to any CHE major, students applying to the Nutritional Sciences major must complete:

  • At least one field-specific course
    • NS 1150, 1220, 2450, 3410, 3450
  • CHEM 2070 (or CHEM 2090) and CHEM 2080

For current sophomores: 

  • CHEM 3570/3580
  • At least 3 credits that fulfill the NS introductory biology requirement (see NS curriculum sheet)

Complementary preparation: