First-Term Schedules for New Transfer Students to NS (Nutritional Sciences, CHE),
NS-CALS (Nutritional Sciences-CALS) and
HBHS (Human Biology, Health and Society)
We look forward to having transfer students join our programs in NS-CHE, NS-CALS, and HBHS. Transfer students come from diverse backgrounds, so there is no common first-term schedule for transfer students. Each student must develop a schedule that:
• builds on his/her previous academic experiences,
• allows adjustment to Cornell's learning environment,
• enables the student a chance to explore new academic options, and
• allows the student to meet college and major graduation requirements.
We want new transfer students to have a great first semester at Cornell. Arranging an academic schedule that works for the individual student is very important. The following considerations are questions to think about in developing your course schedule. You can discuss any questions that arise with your faculty adviser when you come in August.
1. Which major (i.e., NS-CHE, HBHS or NS-CALS) interests you? What special career interests (e.g., pre-med, dietetics) do you have? Please read the information about the different majors and career options so you have good idea of what interests you when you arrive. Review the “Overview of Course Requirements” for the major and career options that interest you. If you have questions about these requirements, there will be time during the orientation program to get them answered.
2. How do the courses you have already taken meet your Cornell requirements? By the time you arrive at Cornell, you will receive from the college registrar a summary of the transfer credits that Cornell has accepted and how they apply to your intended major. You should discuss this summary with your adviser. You will have the opportunity to review and revise this summary with the college registrar should you have questions. You may need to ask the registrar to update that summary with credits from any courses you took this past summer.
The maximum number of credits that can be transferred to Cornell is 60. If you have taken more that 60 college credits, you will want to choose those 60 that count toward meeting requirements for your degree at Cornell. You must complete 60 credits at Cornell. Human Ecology students must complete 40 credits in Human Ecology. CALS transfers must complete 55 credits in CALS. You may use courses from your past schools toward the Human Ecology and CALS credits if these courses are approved as substitutes by the Human Ecology and CALS registrars.
3. What have you already taken in the required biology and chemistry sequences? This is a key starting point in planning your schedule. Which biology and chemistry courses must you still take? Which are you unsure about? See the information that describes the Core Biology and Chemistry Courses for NS-CHE, NS-CALS, and HBHS majors. Cornell’s Courses of Study catalog has descriptions of all Cornell courses. There is a section in this Survival Guide that describes how to evaluate substitute courses for these requirements. Make a list of the courses that you must take and the semesters that they are offered. Note that most 2-semester biology and chemistry courses start the sequence in the fall term only. Make a list of your questions. You will discuss this plan and your questions with your adviser when you arrive at Cornell.
4. Where are you in terms of any nutritional sciences courses that may be required for your major? Which nutritional sciences must you still take? Which nutritional sciences courses are you unsure about? If you plan to major in NS-CHE or NS-CALS, be sure that you understand the required sequences of courses. Students interested in dietetics should check the requirements for this program.
5. What other courses are you interested in taking? Make a list of the courses that you would like to take. Use the course catalog and roster (or web) to find the descriptions and times and terms that these courses are offered so you will know how they may fit into your schedule.
6. What other courses must you take to fulfill your intended major, career preparation, or college graduation requirements? Most likely you have already taken introductory courses in the social sciences, written communications, and humanities. You probably have also taken quantitative and analytical course(s) at your previous college(s). The summary sheet from the registrar's office will show you what requirements you have filled and what remains.
7. Make a tentative schedule for the fall term and plans for the upcoming terms. A schedule with 13-15 credits works best for most new Cornell transfer students, particularly if they are taking an advanced science course such as biochemistry or organic chemistry. Most new students should avoid taking two advanced science courses in the first term. Thinking ahead and developing tentative schedules for the remaining semesters at Cornell is a good idea. This task will help you see if your plan is realistic and identify any important conflicts in course scheduling. Review these plans with your adviser and keep copies for later use.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PRE-MED STUDENTS:
The Health Career Evaluation Committee (HCEC) at Cornell provides a letter of evaluation that is part of most pre-med students’ applications to medical college. Cornell students usually register with the HCEC early in the spring semester of their junior year, (except those who are not applying until after their senior year; they usually wait until spring semester of their senior year to register).
According to HCEC:
“Transfer students with less than 30 hours in Cornell courses with a letter grade option should register at the usual time and submit transcript(s) from other institution(s) to the HCEC. (The HCEC will obtain a copy of your Cornell transcript). However, an interviewer will be assigned only after thirty credit hours at Cornell have been completed and all non-Cornell transcripts have been received. For juniors who have completed two semesters with less than 30 credits, the options include: 1) taking a Cornell course during the 3-week summer session in late May - June, 2) getting a letter from your previous institution, or 3) waiting until your senior year to apply to register for the HCEC and apply to medical school. Interviews for transfer students are typically conducted during the late spring and summer, in Ithaca, at the convenience of the interviewer. The deadline for completing the file is the end of the first week in July. This allows transfer students more time to get their letters of recommendation and gives the HCEC a fuller picture of a student's work at Cornell.
See the health careers advisor to discuss 1) the pros and cons of using Cornell's HCEC or of using the committee at your previous institution; 2) suitable sources of letters of recommendation and supplementary letters; 3) issues to consider in deciding the optimum time to apply; 4) procedures for postponing your interview until summer when you have completed your semester credit hours.”