Congratulations and Welcome to CALS!
The CALS Student Services Office is pleased you have chosen the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. The student services offices and your academic department is available to assist in your transition to Cornell. This website, along with your department's website, (see below) have been developed to answer most of your questions. Please take the time to look though the information provided here, and if you still have questions please call the CALS Student Services Office (607-255-CALS). We look forward to meeting you!
A copy of the email that was sent out to all incoming students is available below:
CALS Spring TO DO List:
Before you arrive to campus
ALL Incoming Students:
- Activate your Cornell NetID.
- You will receive an email from CALS student services when your student accounts have been activated. When you receive this in early January make sure to log into our online college degree audit system, DUST and become familiar with each link. Complete your online student biography. To assist your advisor in knowing more about your interests and advising expectations complete your Student Biography through DUST (go to DUST under Academic Advising click “Student Biography”).
- Log into Student Center (NetID required) and become familiar with the different features available.
- Interested beginning your summer job search or participating in on-campus recruiting? Complete your CCNET student profile.
- Review your preliminary transfer credit evaluation (you received this with your admissions acceptance letter).
- Submit your final transcript to CALS Student Services. Cornell University, 140 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.
When you arrive to campus
- Attend the scheduled orientation sessions (University, College and Department).
- Meet and talk with your advisor.
- Stop into CALS Student Services (140 Roberts Hall) to visit the Career Resource Library and learn about many of the resources available to you to help you succeed in your undergraduate career and beyond.
- Visit the career team during drop in hours to talk about resumes, cover letters, graduate school options or your summer job search.
- Get involved!
Courses and Course Enrollment
How do I pre-enroll in classes? What does add/drop mean?
You will begin enrolling in classes during the scheduled add/drop period starting mid-January. Using the online Courses of Study, you can begin to piece together courses of interest, courses for your major and courses to complete the CALS Distribution requirements in preparation of the add/drop period. Pre-enrollment is a wish-list of courses. It is recommended that you enroll in 12-15 academic credits your first semester.
If you have questions regarding the CALS Distribution requirements feel free to review the Degree Requirements, or call CALS Student Services for assistance.
Remember, with your acceptance, the Admissions Office sent you a preliminary credit evaluation that informed you of remaining coursework for the CALS distribution requirements. You should take this time to review your remaining college distribution requirements and the curriculum of your major. During Orientation there will be time for you to meet with a representative from CALS Student Services to individually review your college distribution requirements.
I'm looking for all things course related:
Courses, Classes and Exams
The link will direct you to:
- the Course Catalog (course descriptions for all courses offered at Cornell, plus policies and procedures for the College and the University);
- Physical Education roster (Physical Education and the swim test are not required for transfer students who have attended another institution for at least 2 semesters);
- summer and winter courses;
- the course and room roster - (meeting times and locations);
- the prelim and final exam schedule;
- textbook information;
- a link to the University Registrar's web page
Advising
Who is my faculty advisor?
Many departments notify students when their advisor is assigned, but some do not. Our departments do their best to make sure you are with an advisor who fits with your academic interests (as expressed by your application and the self-reported biography in DUST). If you have questions related to your major or coursework, you can speak with either your faculty advisor or your department's administrative advisor. Not sure who your faculty advisor is? The department administrative advisor can also tell you if your faculty advisor has been assigned. When communicating with your faculty advisor by e-mail, you should also copy your administrative advisor (if applicable).
As an advisee, what are my rights and responsibilities, and what are my advisor's rights and responsibilities?
Advising Rights and Responsibilities
Orientation
What does the college Orientation schedule look like?
What is the New Student website I heard about?
How can I learn about the Cornell Library System?
Graduation Requirements and College Policies
I need help figuring out what requirements my transfer credit fulfills, and I'm confused about AP credit. I also took college courses while in high school. Where can I learn about non-Cornell credit policies?
Transfer Credit Policies and Procedures