II. APPLICATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the address for the Master of Engineering Web Page?

http://www.ece.cornell.edu/aca-meng.cfm (ECE) or http://www.engr.cornell.edu/student-services/orgspe/index.cfm (College of Engineering, Master of Engineering web page).

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2. What are the minimum requirements for GRE, TOEFL, and cumulative GPA?

There is no minimum requirement for GRE; each case is reviewed on an individual basis. The GRE is required of all applicants.

The minimum for the TOEFL score (Internet-based test - iBT) is; Writing: 20, Listening: 15, Reading: 20, and Speaking: 22. NOTE: A cumulative score is NOT the correct measure and is NOT sufficient for an offer of admission. The TOEFL is required of all international applicants.

GRE and TOEFL scores must be official test results submitted directly to the Graduate School by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Cornell’s institutional code for the TOEFL and GRE is 2098.

The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.5.

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3. Is the GRE required for everyone?

Yes, it is required of everyone. This requirement may be waived for Cornell students only.

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4. Is the TOEFL required for everyone?

No, just the foreign students and non-English speaking students.

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5. Can the TOEFL be waived?

Yes, if you receive your B. S. degree from and have spent 4 years at an English speaking university.

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6. What is a Financial Responsibility Form and who is it for?

The FRF is required for all non-U.S. citizens and non-Permanent Residence. This form needs to be completed in order for foreign students to receive the I-20 for their student visas.

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7. When are applications due for Fall admission?

January 15.

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8. Do Cornell students need 2 recommendations?

Yes.

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9. Is there any financial aid for M.Eng. Students?

No, not really. There are a few fellowships available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents through the College of Engineering and a few Teaching Assistant positions available through the School of Electrical Engineering. Most of these are offered to Cornell undergraduates first.

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10. Who can I check with for more information regarding financial aid?

Check with the Financial Aid Office at 255-5145 or the International Students and Scholars Office at 255-5243 for possibilities and information.

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11. When will admissions decisions be made?

We will start reviewing applications after the January 15 deadline and hope to have all decisions made by the middle of April. We will only review complete applications so it is imperative that we receive all your application by the deadline.

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GRADUATION QUESTIONS

12. What are the deadlines for graduation?

We use the Graduate School thesis deadline for submission of the final design project report listed on the Graduate School’s web site. Usually this is noon on the last day of regular classes (Friday) of each semester.

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13. What needs to be handed in for the Project Report?

You must submit two complete Velo bound copies of the report including signed abstracts, plus 1 extra copy of the abstract. All three abstracts must have original signatures.

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14. What else do I need to do to graduate?

Login to “Just the Facts” on Bear Access and print your M.Eng. record. Bring it into 223 Phillips Hall to check against my records. This should be done each semester before the end of the ADD period to ensure that you have enrolled in the desired courses and correct section of the design project and again before the ninth week of each semester. At this point the Graduate School will not accept Course Enrollment Petitions.

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15. What if there are discrepancies between my record and your record?

If there are discrepancies I need to correct them in my records now. If there are missing grades in your record you will need to speak to the professor of the course. It is your responsibility to make sure that your Project Advisor turns in a grade for your project.

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16. Is there a grade sheet for projects?

Yes, each professor will have a grade sheet for the students enrolled in his section of ECE 693 during the first 3 weeks of the semester. Here again it is your responsibility to make sure you have enrolled in the correct section of design project.

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17. What if I am not on the grade sheet?

First you will have to complete and submit to the Graduate School a Course Enrollment Petition to add the course. Your Project Advisor will then have to fill out a “Manual Grade Form” after his grade sheets have been turned in and before the conferral date.

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18. Can I take the “Manual Grade Form” to my professor?

No, the professor has to pick up the form in person; we can not give these forms to students. (Remember it is your responsibility to ensure that you are enrolled in the correct courses and sections.)

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19. What do I need to do for the Graduate School?

It is also your responsibility to make sure the Grad School has all the documentation they need. Check with the Graduate Records Office at 255-5823 to inquire about any missing documents immediately. First, see that the Graduate School has received your official, final transcript showing the conferral degree date for your B.S. degree. You cannot receive your M. Eng. degree until you have received your B.S. degree. (Actually you are not even supposed to start the M. Eng. program until you have received the B.S. degree.)

Also you need to submit the degree information card to the Graduate School, Thesis Advisor in Caldwell Hall. They need the information on this form to order your diploma and to know where to send your diplomThis and all graduate forms are available on the Graduate School web site.

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More application questions...

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20. What is the Early Admission option?

This option is for Cornell undergraduates only. The candidate must have 8 or fewer credits left to complete the B. S. degree requirements during their last semester as an undergraduate. The student would apply to program for the semester he/she intends to use as their first semester as a graduate student. In other words if the applicant will receive a January, Bachelor of Science degree they would apply to the M. Eng. program for the spring semester. This option is designed to give the Cornell undergraduate a head start on his/her 2-semester M. Eng. program and should enable the student to lighten the load for those two semesters or give a more well rounded program not as a 1-semester Master’s degree.

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21. Are there special forms for the Early Admission option?

Yes, we have an “Early Admission Petition and Course Record Form” available in the Student Services Office. This form will let us know which courses you intend to use to satisfy your B. S. degree requirements and those you plan to carry over to the M. Eng. degree.

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III. M. ENG. CONTACT INFORMATION

College of Engineering:
Jeff Newman, Director, Research & Graduate Studies, 5-9234
Yoanna Ferrara, Assistant Director, Research & Graduate Studies, 5-0976
Dawn Warren, Administrative Assistant, 5-7413

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering:
John Belina, Director, Master of Engineering (ECE), 5-2321
Linda Struzinsky, Coordinator, Master of Engineering (ECE), 5-8414

Graduate School:
Records 5-5820
Thesis Advisor, Patricia Place 5-5828
Graduate Student Services Representative, Barbara Edinger 5-4817

List of contact people for the Undergraduate Office:
Duncan Bell, Engineering Registrar, 5-7140
Rich Robbins, Director, Engineering Advising, 5-7414
Fran Shumway, Associate Director, Advising, 5-7414

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