It's not our first time around the block. 

Our block attracts a colorful community of diverse, empathetic neighbors—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—who care about each other, because we’re only as collectively strong as we are individually strong. 

But “block” is more than an expression of our vibrant campus life; it’s the innovative—some might say ingenious—foundation of every Cornellian’s education. Flexible, experiential. We’ve been living, learning, and teaching on the block plan, One Course At A Time, since 1978 when we left the traditional semester plan behind. (We haven’t missed it.)

Yeah, we’ve been doing what most would consider a new thing, investing our time and treasure, for over 40 years and we’re virtually unique in the higher ed space. 

Benefits of the Block Structure

Why did we choose to teach on the block, where students only take one course every 3 1/2 weeks? It offers flexible and experiential learning unlike—and superior to—semester plans. 

Our professors all choose to teach this way—and they excel at it. Our students are the kind of risk-takers who thrive when they’re challenged and supported by faculty mentors and a campus full of people cheering them on every step of the way. (Sound like you?)

This. Is your block.