M.Eng. Admissions FAQ

The Chemical Engineering M.Eng. program does not pre-screen candidates for admission or financial aid. Please do not send emails, resumes, etc., requesting an assessment of your chances. We are happy to respond to specific questions not covered in this FAQ.

• Application materials are available through the ApplyWeb online application system on the Graduate School website. 
• Once you have submitted an application, electronic recommendation requests are generated and sent to your references.

The online application fee is $105, and can be paid via credit card.

Applications are not reviewed until all application materials, including letters of recommendation and test scores, have been received. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions are made by June 15.

Chemical Engineering ​​​​​​will accept up to 9 transfer credits for the M.Eng. program.

The College of Engineering sets a minimum grade point average of 2.7/4.0 for admission. In recent years, demand in Chemical Engineering has effectively raised this level above 3.0; however, admission is based on the entire application, not on a fixed grade point cutoff. An effort is made to interpret grades from schools other than Cornell on a comparable basis to Cornell undergraduate grades.

GRE scores are not required.

Admission is not possible without having the minimum score in each category as set by the Master of Engineering Programs:

• Writing: 20
• Listening: 15
• Reading: 20
• Speaking: 22.

TOEFL scores should be reported to code 2098, which is Cornell's code number.

It is not necessary to have work experience. The majority of students in the program do not have full-time work experience beyond summer internships.

A resume submission is required within the application, as it can sometimes be useful in conveying valuable information that does not fit naturally on the application form.

• Your undergraduate transcript and transcripts for any graduate work you have taken should be submitted online with your application.
• Do not submit secondary school (high school, preparatory school) records or detailed faculty reports. If you submit project reports, portfolios, or other work products they will not be read. Publications should be listed in a resume or other supplementary document but need not be sent to us.

Make sure to include the name of the institution, the dates attended, the grade point average (with the base, i.e.,16.64/20.00 or 3.6/4.3), the field of study for the degree, the date received, the language of instruction, and your class rank within the field of study or within the institution.

The ideal reference knows you and is known (by reputation, position, or previous contact) to the admissions committee. We prefer to have at least two written recommendations from a professor who knows your capabilities. Recommendations from employers or work supervisors should be as specific as possible about what you have accomplished. Recommendations from peers are usually of less value.