New Student Information
Your first few weeks will likely be exciting and stressful, and while Cornell is a big place, CALS makes it easy to connect. The CALS Student Services team is here to help you through the process starting in June.
We understand that you may be feeling both excited and nervous to start your college experience. You are not alone. Our team in CALS Student Services, in partnership with your academic major, will guide you in questions around course selection, advanced placement credits, understanding the academic and personal resources available, and assist you in career development.
I got in? What's next?
June
- Keep working on your New Student To Do List
- Start reviewing information on CALS GO! Get Oriented 2024 on Canvas. Information From Your Major – please review this section to learn about your major, class recommendations for your first semester, information sessions, and general contact information from key individuals in your major.
- Log in to Chatter and ask any questions you may have
- Monitor your Cornell email, as the orientation team will be sending important reminders via email to let you know about July pre-enroll and August orientation
- Follow CALS Instagram page to stay connected
July
- Attend Zoom pre-enroll session to learn more about how to register for your classes and use online tools to register (more information to come via email)
- Reach out to your major advising coordinators for major-specific questions and major class recommendations
- Reach out or schedule an appointment with a CALS Student Services advisor on Chatter for general questions or questions on distribution requirements
Are you thinking about changing your major? Please follow these steps.
- Start the Conversation: Discuss your evolving interests with your current major advisors (Advising Coordinator and faculty advisor). They can help you understand how your current major can serve you or guide you in exploring other interests. Prioritizing this communication with your current major will enable all your resources to best support you here at Cornell.
- Intentional Pre-Enrollment: Beyond your major requirements, consider taking foundational courses that serve multiple majors, fulfill CALS distribution requirements, or electives in new areas of interest. Use the resources available, such as the July Webinar and CALS Go! Canvas course, and know that you can meet with an Inclusive Academic Advising Advisor starting in late July to help you think about possible schedule adjustments to be made during the Add/Drop period.
- Explore New Majors: If another CALS major interests you, reach out to that major's Advising Coordinator in the Fall. This initial conversation and your first-semester coursework will help you decide if you want to pursue a minor or change majors in the future (about 20% of CALS students change their major within the first two years). More information on minor options is available on the "undergraduate minors" tab on this webpage.

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