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Cornell University Cornell Brooks Public Policy

External Transfers

Transfer students are an important part of the Brooks School community.

Cornell University students interested in transferring to the Brooks School should instead review our internal transfer page.

Transfer students external from Cornell are drawn to Brooks School because we offer: 

  • an interdisciplinary focus to public policy that allows students to explore a diverse range of interests and career goals. 
  • a transfer credit policy through which academic courses transfer with ease.
  • comprehensive academic and career development support.
  • need-based financial aid that makes Cornell affordable for admitted students.
  • resources of an Ivy League university, with the close-knit community feel of a smaller school experience

More details about general Cornell transfer admissions criteria, eligibility, and processes can be found on the university transfer admissions website. This includes a helpful checklist of all university transfer application requirements, details about the application fee/fee waiver request, application deadlines, transcript requirements, and more.

 

How to Apply: 
To apply as a transfer student to the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, you will need to complete the Common Application.  Select the “Brooks School of Public Policy” as your  Cornell program of interest on the Common Application, then indicate either “Policy Analysis and Management” or “Health Care Policy” as your major of interest.

  

Preparatory Coursework:
Successful Brooks transfer applicants will showcase that they have completed rigorous coursework and have received a strong grade point average in their collegiate coursework, and especially in the required preparatory coursework. 

Transfer applicants must complete the required preparatory coursework with a letter grade at their current institution. Fulfilling the requirements is a minimum and does not guarantee admission. A GPA of 3.5 or above, with “As” and “B+s” in required preparatory coursework, increases an applicant’s competitiveness.

We understand that the Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters might look different in terms of grading options. Be sure to have a college official include how grading and coursework options were impacted by COVID-19 on the College Official’s Report.

Know that Cornell University and the Brooks School adhere to our own policies regarding placement out of requirements due to Advanced Placement or other related credits. Advanced standing at another institution does not guarantee that Cornell will accept that credit. The Advanced Placement Equivalencies information outlines how AP credit may be used. A maximum of 15 pre-college credits from APs or other sources may be applied.

Courses that are strongly recommended for applicants who plan to enter as juniors are marked with an asterisk (*). These courses are important to complete by the end of sophomore year to ensure a timely graduation.

The following preparatory coursework is required for all Brooks School Transfer Applicants:

Required preparatory coursework:

  • English composition coursework/writing intensive coursework (6 credits, 2 courses) This requirement can be completed across the disciplines. Visit Cornell University’s John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines to review the criteria that courses need to meet to satisfy this requirement.
  • Introductory Microeconomics (3 credits, 1 course)
  • Natural Science coursework with labs 
    • Prospective Policy Analysis and Management majors may choose between biology, chemistry, or physics (8 credits, 2 courses).
    • Prospective Health Care Policy majors must take 8 credits/2 courses of introductory chemistry, and 4 credits/1 course of introductory biology
  • Quantitative coursework in statistics* and/or calculus (3 credits, 1 course)

Additional suggested coursework for Policy Analysis and Management Majors:

  • Introduction to Sociology* 
  • Intermediate Microeconomics*
  • United States Government 
  • Ethics 
  • A second quantitative course* 

Additional suggested coursework for Health Care Policy Majors:

  • Introduction to Sociology*
  • A second introductory biology course*  
  • Ethics 
  • The U.S. HealthCare System 
  • Intermediate Microeconomics* 
  • A second quantitative course*

Decision Timeline 
Transfer decisions are made on a rolling basis. Delays in midterm grades or other information will delay a decision. We sometimes need final grades for the current semester’s classes. Please inform us if you have impending deadlines by which you hope to have an admissions decision.


Questions?  Contact Us: Brooks_Admissions@cornell.edu