Becoming a CS Major

Submit your application to the CS major.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences can affiliate in their third semester but are expected to start the process no later than their fourth semester.

Students in the College of Engineering generally begin the process of major affiliation during their third semester.

Note to students in the College of Engineering:  You must also submit the appropriate Engineering form (Major Affiliation form, Change of Major form, or Double Major form).

Application Timeline (current students)

  • Applications received between January 1 and January 31 are processed by March 1.
  • Applications received between February 1 and May 31 are processed by July 1
  • Application received between June 1 and September 14 are processed by October 15.
  • Applications received between September 15 and December 31 are processed by mid-January.


All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis relative to the following three criteria:

Criterion 1: a grade of C (not C-) in all completed CS, MATH, and CS-approved probability courses.

Criterion 2: a GPA of 2.5 or better in CS 2110/2112* and 2800/2802.​*alternatively, a GPA of 2.5 or better in ECE 2400/ENGRD 2140 and CS 2800/2802 and CS 3110.

Criterion 3: a GPA of 2.3 or better in Math 1120/1920** and any other completed critical math course(s).
​**if only AP/CASE credit appears, then another critical math course will be needed for the computation (such as MATH 2210, MATH 2940, or a CS-approved probability course).
 

For students that entered Cornell prior to fall 2023 ONLY: Criterion 3 will be reviewed using the better outcome between Criterion 3 (above) and Former Criterion 3 (below).  Note that Criteria 1 and 2 did not change.

Former Criterion 3: a GPA of 2.5 or better in Math 1120/1920**, and CS 2800/2802.
​**if only AP/CASE credit appears, then another critical math course will be needed for the computation (such as MATH 2210, MATH 2940, or a CS-approved probability course).

    Grades in critical courses (see below) may be considered to offset deficiencies in meeting Criteria 2 or 3 above. Note that only grades from courses taken at Cornell are considered in affiliation computations.

    Critical CS Courses (for Criterion 2)

    • CS 2110 or 2112
    • CS 2800 or 2802
    • CS 3110
    • CS 3410 or 3420
    • CS 4410
    • CS 4820

    Critical Math Courses (for Criterion 3)

    • MATH 1120
    • MATH 1920, 2220, or 2240
    • MATH 2210, 2230, or 2940
    • MATH 4710*
    • BTRY/STSCI 3080*
    • CS 4850*
    • ECON 3130*
    • ECE 3100*
    • ENGRD 2700*

    *course satisfies CS probability requirement