Admission > Extraordinary Opportunities > On Campus

Extraordinary Opportunities: On Campus

At Cornell, we view campus life not as an escape from academic life, but as an extension of it. All students share the same schedule, with two free hours at lunch and classes ending at 3 p.m. During their free time, we encourage a high level of student involvement in campus activities to help develop skills in leadership and teamwork, while at the same time building a vibrant campus community and serving the wider world.

The following are a few of the campus opportunities at Cornell:


New student orientation (NSO) NSO gives students a week-long immersion into campus culture while having fun, building relationships, and preparing students for their first year at Cornell. Activities include the Hillbottom Games, picnic at the president's house, community book discussion, service projects, and a wide range of workshops and events to get students settled into their college lives.

Themed floors All first-year students live together, and first-year themed floors allow like-minded and students to learn and grow together around common themes such as leadership, health and wellness, or multiculturalism. Upper-class students can form Living and Learning Communities that combine shared values with a commitment to service and campus leadership. Themed floors are supported with a great deal of focused staff assistance to help them develop and achieve their goals.

Leadership training In Cornell's residential community, students make friends for a lifetime. They also have opportunities to engage in leadership training and serve in a wide range of leadership roles. As resident assistants, peer advocates, hall council members, orientation leaders, and Leadership Certificate Program participants, students build Cornell's community while learning and practicing skills that make them better citizens and more valuable employees.

Student activities & organizations Cornell students aren't just passive consumers of student activities; they actively shape campus life through organizations such as Student Senate, Greek groups, and the Performing Arts and Activities Council. And our annual involvement fair connects students to more than 100 student-led groups that engage in everything from swing dance to gaming to anti-poverty activism. Learn more

Community service More than 75 percent of Cornell students participate in community service. Cornellians contribute to the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon through activities such as Lunch Buddies, teen mentoring, holiday toy drives, the annual Relay For Life, and even fire department volunteering. Cornell's reach also extends far beyond campus through involvement in flood relief, hunger issues, and more. Learn more

Spiritual journeys For many students, college is a time to explore new spiritual avenues or to deepen an existing religious path. While Cornell maintains a Methodist affiliation, students have many outlets for spiritual practice and exploration, ranging from Shabbat dinners and Zen meditation, to ecumenical services and a wide range of student-led faith groups. Learn more

Athletics at all levels The recent national success of many of our athletes exemplifies our commitment to fielding high-caliber Division III teams. But we also support competitive club teams in sports such as hockey and lacrosse; we offer intramural sports ranging from badminton to basketball; and we provide health and fitness opportunities ranging from yoga to kickboxing. All in convenient, modern facilities. Learn more

Creative outlets for the arts More than half of Cornell students participate in the performing arts. Opportunities include a variety of music ensembles, mainstage theatre productions, and special opportunities such as the annual Lyric Theatre musical production. But many student groups also create their own events and opportunities, ranging from ballroom dancing to creative writing to open mic nights.

Deep and varied relationships Cornell's small size, residential campus, and common schedule all contribute a strong feeling of belonging. We are also far from a homogenous bunch -- less than 20 percent of the class of 2012 comes from Iowa. Our student population hails from nearly every state and a range of foreign countries, and we are intentional in our efforts to promote diversity and a strong sense of community among all of our students.

The Thomas Commons: Cornell's town square The Thomas Commons is Cornell's campus hub, bustling with activity whenever classes are not in session. In the Thomas Commons students dine together, attend concerts and events on the Orange Carpet, access many student services, socialize, exercise, and relax. It's the place to be and be seen, and it's the place to find out what's going on.

Work study Campus employment allows students to earn money, develop positive work habits, and build exceptional job references while assisting various campus offices. Work study roles range from leading admissions tours to library circulation to computer support. These jobs are not simply busy work -- they're critical to the functioning of the college, and they give students meaningful and lasting experiences.