Flexibility

You can choose to spend an entire three-and-a-half-week block off campus, without the worry of missing anything in other classes. Several students have learned about the world of editing and publishing thorough internships at Chicago's Independent Publishing Group, for example, while another worked in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

In fact, many Cornell courses spend anywhere from a few days to an entire block off campus. You might take Geology of the National Parks in Hawaii, Applied Anthropology in the Bahamas, or Contemporary Theatre in New York City. A bit closer to home, you can study American Nature Writers in northern Minnesota or The American Dream in St. Louis.

You’ll get a totally open block each year, too. Students are required to complete eight academic blocks each year, which leaves one block free. Many students use this block to earn a second major, pursue internships for credit, or engage in independent study projects. Theatre majors often use this time to prepare for an upcoming production, pre-med students to prepare for the MCAT exam, and athletes to devote extra time to their sport. What will you do with your free block?