Undergraduate · Cornell
Cornell's Duffield College of Engineering says it requires four units of mathematics including calculus, one unit of physics and one unit of chemistry before high school graduation, with computer science and biology recommended. It asks for one teacher recommendation from a mathematics, science or computer science teacher, and it assesses your work within the context of your school and the resources available. The pages do not mention A-levels or the IB, so this guide does not convert them into Cornell's units. Cornell's pages carry no entry-year label, so everything here is evidence for the previous cycle, not a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
Taken from Cornell Undergraduate Admissions' First-Year Duffield Engineering Applicants page and its First-Year Applicants page, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Cornell's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Before high school graduation, Duffield Engineering requires four units of mathematics, including one of calculus, one unit of physics and one unit of chemistry. A unit is one academic year of study.
One unit of computer science and one unit of biology are recommended but not required.
Cornell says it assesses your work within the context of your specific high school and the resources available, using the school profile your school provides.
Every applicant submits two teacher recommendations. For Duffield Engineering, one must come from a mathematics, science or computer science teacher.
First-year students begin general engineering studies in a common curriculum and apply for affiliation with a major in their second year.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cornell Undergraduate Admissions' First-Year Duffield Engineering Applicants page and First-Year Applicants page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name. Cornell's standardised test score policy, English language proficiency details, deadlines, individual engineering majors, financial aid and its policy on receiving help with an application were not read in full and are not described, and no score or deadline is stated.
The first-year model
Cornell says you apply directly to one of its colleges or schools, and that Duffield Engineering first-year students begin general engineering studies focused on a common curriculum. They learn about the majors on offer and can explore their options before applying for affiliation with a major in their second year. The pages read therefore do not describe admission to a particular major at the point of application, and nothing here suggests a guaranteed route into any engineering major.
Required preparation
Duffield Engineering requires the completion of the following mathematics and science classes prior to high school graduation: four units of mathematics, including one of calculus, one unit of physics and one unit of chemistry. A unit is equivalent to one academic year of study. One unit of computer science and one unit of biology are recommended but not required. Because the requirement is stated in units, a UK-curriculum student should ask their school how the subjects they have taken and will take compare, rather than assuming a particular A-level or IB course counts as a particular number of units. The pages read do not make that comparison.
Your school
Cornell says no two high schools are the same, that access to advanced courses varies, and that its counsellors are familiar with the schools in their assigned regions. Each high school provides a school profile that explains what courses are offered, any limits on the number of advanced classes and information about grading, and Cornell assesses students' work within the context of their specific high school and the resources available. That makes the school profile, and what your school can honestly say about your subject choices, part of your evidence.
Recommendations and written work
All applicants submit two teacher recommendations, and for Duffield Engineering one must come from a mathematics, science or computer science teacher. If you are an international or ESL student, Cornell strongly encourages the second recommendation to come from a teacher who can directly address your English proficiency. The Common Application Writing Supplement for Duffield Engineering asks for two long essays and four short ones, all your own work: Avandy does not write, edit or rewrite essays or recommendations. Your school submits the official transcript, the school report and a counsellor recommendation.
Testing and language
The First-Year Applicants page says you are required to submit SAT or ACT scores when applying to Cornell, and refers to a separate Standardized Test Score Policy that was not read for this guide. It also says international applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and may be required to submit scores from an approved exam. Nothing read says that A-level or IB results replace either requirement. Check Cornell's testing and English proficiency pages for your application year.
A decision framework
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cornell's.
Ask your school how your subjects compare with four units of mathematics, one of physics and one of chemistry.
One of your two recommendations must come from one of them. Think about who knows your work.
Duffield first-year students begin in a common curriculum and apply for affiliation with a major in their second year.
Planning for 2028 entry
Cornell's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Cornell's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cornell has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
This guide has not read them in full. Check Cornell for the values that apply to your application year.
Ask your school how your subjects compare with the required units, choose the teacher who will write your mathematics or science recommendation, and read Cornell's testing and English proficiency pages.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Cornell University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays or recommendations, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Cornell. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Cornell says four units of mathematics, including one of calculus, one unit of physics and one unit of chemistry, completed before high school graduation. A unit is one academic year.
Cornell says first-year students begin in a common curriculum and apply for affiliation with a major in their second year. The pages read do not promise any particular major.
The pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB and do not convert them into units, so ask your school and Cornell rather than assuming.
The First-Year Applicants page says you are required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Cornell's separate policy page was not read here, so confirm it for your year.
Your teachers. Two are required, and for Duffield Engineering one must be from a mathematics, science or computer science teacher.
No. They are Cornell's wording with no entry-year label. Check Cornell's pages again when Cornell publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and science preparation and how their school will present it, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
