Cornell Transfer Process

In general, what does Cornell Engineering look for in transfer applicants? I realize their transfer acceptance rate is very low (below 10%), but I really want to transfer and I am definitely going to apply.
Is the process more stats driven than freshman admission? How much emphasis is put on HS grades? And would it help if I retook the ACT to go from a 34 to 36?
Also, I saw on the website that applicants can apply to two colleges “at the discretion of the dean” or something like that. Are the requirements different from college to college (difficulty, courses, etc.). I find the CU website to be really confusing (there’s a main transfer page, then there are ones for every college).
Any help will be appreciated…thanks!

Oh, and one more question. Does contacting admissions/sending application early matter??

Bump

Better forum to post this?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/

Sorry, I was not aware of that subforum.