Cornell University Study Abroad Programs: A World of Opportunities

Cornell University offers a diverse portfolio of international programs, including semester, academic year, and short-term study abroad options, as well as Global Internships. These programs are designed to provide Cornell undergraduates with academically enriching experiences that foster personal growth and global awareness. Education Abroad is available to help students identify a program that fits their needs.

Finding Your Ideal International Experience

The first step is to explore the various pathways to studying abroad. Cornell encourages students to consider unexpected programs and destinations to broaden their horizons. Meeting with an Education Abroad advisor can help students compare programs and discuss program-specific details, such as academic offerings, housing options, and the on-site experience.

Semester and Year-Long Programs

Spending a semester or full academic year abroad offers significant academic and personal growth. These programs are open to all Cornell undergraduates. Wherever you study, your time abroad will be a memorable and academically enriching experience. The Cornell Summer Program in Madrid, for example, helped one student strengthen their Spanish speaking skills and interact with people daily in every setting imaginable.

Application Process for Semester and Full-Year Programs

Cornell utilizes the Experience Cornell platform for study abroad applications. The application process involves two rounds, giving students multiple opportunities to secure a spot in their desired program.

Two-Round Application Process:

First Round: Students submit an application to their preferred program and one alternate program (optional). Applying in the first round is encouraged as it provides the best chance of securing a spot. Applications are reviewed as a group, and decisions are announced on a specified date.
Second Round: If a student misses the first-round deadline or doesn't secure a spot, they can apply for select programs with remaining space in the second round. Second-round applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is advised.

Petitioning for Non-Approved Programs:

Students wishing to attend a semester or academic year program not already approved by Cornell can submit a formal petition to obtain a one-time recognition of the program.

Read also: Immersive Pre-College Experience

Why Two Rounds?

The two-round system helps Education Abroad balance student interest with program availability, maximizing the number of Cornell students who can study abroad.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Plan Academics: Define your academic and program objectives. Consult with your college study abroad or academic advisor to discuss how study abroad fits into your graduation plan. Create a flexible study abroad course plan, which is required for your Experience application.
Apply in Experience and Secure a Space: Initiate your application in Experience. You are permitted to submit two applications per round. Locate the program and click the apply button. Indicate "preferred" or "alternate" program. Seek college approval following the steps outlined in the application. Apply by the deadline listed in the Snapshot section of the program’s Experience page, even if the program’s external application deadline is later.
Commit to Your Program: This step is mandatory. Commit to your program within two weeks of securing a space. Failure to commit by the deadline will result in withdrawal of your application.
Receive Your College's Approval and Complete Onboarding: After committing, your college will review your course plan and ensure it aligns with college policies. Once you receive college approval, you will gain access to onboarding materials.
Apply for Admission to Your Program: Most study abroad programs require a separate external application for admission. Find the external application link on the program's Experience page. Meet your program’s application deadline.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for study abroad, students must:

Be an enrolled Cornell student in good academic standing.
Meet college requirements for approval.
Meet the requirements of the program for admission (GPA, prerequisites, etc.) as described on your selected program’s Experience page.
Have no outstanding sanctions related to student conduct or pending hearings.

Important Considerations During the Application Process

Alternate Programs: Choose your alternate program carefully, ensuring it is a program you would be happy to attend.
Application Deadlines: Internal deadlines are set before most program deadlines to allow time for application review and required college and university approvals.
Securing a Space: A secured space means that Education Abroad and your college intend to review and support your participation in the program. It does not guarantee university approval or admission to the program.
Commitment Deadline: Spaces are not secured beyond the commitment deadline, and the deadline cannot be extended.
Switching Programs: You cannot switch programs or swap your preferred and alternate choices after the Experience deadline.
Wait-Lists: Cornell does not offer wait-lists for any programs.

College Approval and Onboarding

College approval ensures your intended program fits your degree plan and follows college policies. Once approved, you will gain access to onboarding materials, which include information on financial policies governing withdrawal.

External Application for Program Admission

Most study abroad programs require an external application for admission. These applications open at different times and may require a nomination from Cornell. Meet your program’s application deadline. Applying early is wise if your program has limited capacity or rolling admissions.

Study on Exchange at Cornell for International Students

The Office of Global Learning (OGL) partners with universities worldwide to offer incoming exchange student opportunities across academic disciplines and programs.

Read also: Cornell University Semester Guide

Eligibility for Exchange

To be eligible for exchange, you must:

Be currently enrolled at an institution covered by a reciprocal exchange agreement with Cornell.
Be an undergraduate with at least two full-time semesters of university study complete.
Have a record showing solid academic preparation in general and in your proposed areas of study.
Have the equivalent of a United States grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Demonstrate proficiency in English with a TOEFL iBT score of 100, Duolingo score of 130, or IELTS score of 7.5.

Academic Options

Cornell has eight undergraduate colleges and schools, nearly 80 majors, and more than 4,000 courses. Exchange students are placed in one of the colleges based on the Cornell major proposed in their nomination.

The participating colleges and schools include:

Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Engineering
College of Human Ecology
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration and Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR)

ILR College Exchanges: ILR directly administers college-level exchange programs. Please contact ILR if your home institution’s partnership is with the college.

SC Johnson College of Business: Only students in business degree programs at their home institutions can apply to join the undergraduate schools in the SC Johnson College of Business (Nolan Hotel School and Dyson School).

Read also: Architecture of Donlon Hall

Course Enrollment Restrictions

Cornell cannot guarantee enrollment in any college or course. Enrollment permission is subject to college or school restrictions, demonstrated academic qualifications in the form of prerequisites, class size limitations, and the consent of instructors. Courses that are only open to degree-seeking majors, including core or senior capstone courses and first-year writing seminars, are not available to exchange students.

Exchange students may not enroll in computer and information science courses and studio-based programs in architecture, art, and design unless specifically approved under the agreement between your home institution and Cornell.

Exchange as a Graduate Student

Graduate students are welcome to apply for exchange with their home institution's approval. If admitted, their status at Cornell will be undergraduate.

Finances for Exchange Students

Exchange students do not pay Cornell tuition but are responsible for charges billed through Cornell's Office of the Bursar system, including:

Student Health Insurance
Student health fee
Student activity fee

On-campus housing and meal plans are also billed through the bursar system. Additional costs, including room and board, books, and personal expenses, vary greatly according to personal habits and choices.

Housing for Exchange Students

Exchange students are responsible for securing their own accommodations on or near campus. On-campus housing is limited and not guaranteed. Living off-campus is another option. Finding housing for the fall only can be very challenging, as single-semester leases are typically not available. Spring semester housing may be available on-campus and is generally easy to find off-campus.

Student Visas

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have a student visa to enter the United States for your Cornell studies. After you're accepted as an exchange student, OGL will provide information on applying for a student visa. The undergraduate admissions office will prepare your I-20.

Cornell Global Hubs

Cornell Global Hubs provide life-shaping opportunities at locations worldwide for semester and short-term study abroad, internships, research and field experiences, and more. Students are embedded in life at another world-class university in a culturally rich region, studying with local and international students, with access to a wide range of classes that return to their Cornell degree. Hubs programs offer a multitude of classes taught in English, as well as language coursework. Reciprocally, students from Hubs universities have opportunities to study at Cornell.

Internships and service-learning opportunities are available at several sites. Because Cornell faculty are also active at Hubs, students may find opportunities to participate in faculty-led research.

Featured Programs and Locations

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST): Located on the Sai Kung Peninsula, HKUST occupies a stunning 150-acre site overlooking Clearwater Bay.
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) Galápagos Campus: Located on the island of San Cristobal, the USFQ Galápagos campus offers international students the opportunity to study in one of the most pristine natural laboratories in the world.

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