Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you cope with the harsh
Ithaca winters? While Ithaca does get very cold from the end of November to early March, students often miss the chilliest period, which usually occurs while they are home over winter break. Additionally, investing in a warm coat, insulating accessories, and a sturdy pair of boots make the winters very manageable. Though students from warmer regions find the adjustment hard at first, they quickly learn the art of layering and the power of Cornell’s fantastic heating system. During snowy periods, hand warmers and a nice cup of cocoa ward off the frost, especially after a day spent in the snow sledding down the slope.
Protip: Using the TCAT on snowy days makes getting to class easier, but if you’re traveling within quads, walk through buildings to stay warm rather than braving the cold outside.
How do you spend your free time in
Ithaca? Ithaca offers a wide array of activities year-round for students to partake in, with seasonal options unique to the beautiful nature surrounding campus. In the summer and early fall, many students enjoy hiking through nearby trails, swimming by the gorges, and shopping at the locally sourced farmer’s market. During the year, Ithaca’s downtown area hosts several festivals, including an Apple Harvest Festival and Chili-Fest, where students experience the local crafts and culture while munching on fresh, delicious food. Additionally, as Ithaca has the most restaurants per capita, students never fail to discover new cuisines in Collegetown and the Commons throughout the year. During the colder winter months, students enjoy skiing and tubing at Greek Peak, which is only thirty minutes away from campus.
What are your favorite traditions at
Cornell? Reflective of the unique student body and activities found on campus, Cornell’s traditions range from visiting notable Cornell landmarks, to attending events put on by longstanding Cornell groups. Throughout the year, students climb 161 steps up the McGraw clock tower for the best birds-eye views of Cornell’s campus, and for the opportunity to listen to chimesmasters play songs, from old classics to current radio hits. In the summer and fall, students flock to the Dairy Bar for Cornell ice cream, in flavors like Peanut Butter and Jelly and Sweet “Corn”-ell. During the winter, students are sure to attend the Cornell-Harvard hockey game and sled down the snowy Slope. In the spring, architecture students parade down the streets for Dragon Day, and dance to headlining music acts on Slope Day to celebrate the end of classes.
How is on campus dining?
Cornell is well known for its food on campus, as the dining halls provide a variety of options for people with different tastes and dietary restrictions. Each dining hall and cafe has a unique atmosphere. On North Campus, RPCC’s Sunday brunches are famous for the dim sum, omelette, and pancake bars. On West Campus, specialty nights ranging featuring international cuisines are particularly popular among students. Many Dyson students are commonly found at Manndibles, a cafe that provides delicious organic and locally grown food, found in the library closest to AEM classes. Grabbing lunch at Trillium, in Kennedy Hall, is also common way for Dyson students to catch up with friends in between classes while munching on delicious quesadillas, stirfrys, pastas, or salads.
Explore all of the places to eat on campus at http://living.sas.cornell.edu/dine/wheretoeat/
Is it difficult to get around such a
large campus? All first year students receive a bus pass for the TCAT bus system that runs throughout Cornell’s campus and all parts of Ithaca. With buses every few minutes, heading towards the downtown Ithaca area, the mall, or Collegetown is extremely easy and accessible. However, many students choose to walk, as pathways often allow students to enjoy the beautiful scenery at Cornell and provide easy shortcuts through quads. Even though Cornell’s campus is large, Dyson students also have a majority of their classes located in the Ag Quad, primarily Warren Hall, making it easier to navigate.
How is the adjustment for
international students? From the first time international students enter campus, they are offered many opportunities to ease their transition to Cornell. International students have the opportunity to arrive to Cornell several days before New Student Orientation to participate in PREPARE, an international pre-orientation program. This program provides these students with additional resources to prepare further for student life in the United States, and offers them a community of like-minded peers experiencing the same adjustment. Students can also opt to live in the Holland International Living Center, a program house for students with an interest in international issues. Additionally, there are a variety of clubs and organizations that students can join to increase their involvement within the international community, particularly through student associations like the International Students Union.
For more information, check out http://isso.cornell.edu/
What is the culture amongst students at
Dyson? Is it cut-throat? At Dyson, students emphasize collaboration and a friendly team-oriented mindset above all else. This foundation is established by core classes during the first year and carried throughout all years. In their first semester here at Cornell, the entire freshmen class takes AEM 2200: Introduction to Business Management and Organization. By the end of the semester, students can recognize all of their peers in the class from daily interactions and working on extensive assignments together. This is true of most AEM classes - almost every class has some sort of group project, giving students the opportunity to work closely with peers, whether it is for developing a marketing plan, valuing a company, or fixing communication crises.
When and how did you decide your
concentration? Many people are unsure about where their interests lie when entering Dyson. However, the structure of classes really allows for students to delve into different topics - Intro to Business Management covers case studies in almost every concentration, allowing students to see where their skill sets align. Even for those who already have an idea of what they want to concentrate in, introductory classes in AEM allow students to explore beyond the scope of these interests and discover paths that they might have never thought of before. Speaking to upperclassmen and professors about different classes and specific topics covered in each concentration also helps students arrive at their decision. Most students declare their concentrations by the end of sophomore year, when they’ve had enough time to consider the different options.
How is the workload?
The workload at Cornell is always feasible, especially with proper time management. Though it is more challenging at Cornell than it was in high school, there are many resources in place to help students if they are struggling. Professors are extremely flexible and understanding, always willing to work with students to instate fair policies and offer assistance. The availability of teaching assistants in office hours serves to facilitate students’ work even further.
Is it easy to connect and develop
relationships with professors? Due to the smaller, tight-knit community of Dyson, classes are not structured in enormous, impersonal lectures. Professors really strive to create an interactive and student-discussion driven environment, which allows them to form relationships students academically. They are also accessible and enthusiastic about meeting students, whether it is through official office hours, in the informal conversational periods before or after classes, or one-on-one meetings. Many professors also offer opportunities to grab lunch or coffee to foster relationships with students further.
What other opportunities outside of
classes can prepare me for the workplace? At Dyson, students strive for understanding and development of transferrable skill sets that can facilitate future transitions into the working world. Resources beyond classes allow for increased practical application and understanding of workplace scenarios. Business clubs offer relevant experience in certain fields, such as finance or consulting, while simultaneously covering technical and soft skills for professional development. Many of these also offer workshops available to even non-members who are eager to learn. Beyond traditional business clubs, leadership positions in any capacity can provide valuable competencies in working with others. Career services resources are also invaluable, whether they are seminars in developing work skills or contacts for established alumni willing to help. These all help in securing internships or externships that provide firsthand experience in industries of interest, that could lead to a job further down the line. If any further questions or concerns arise, every student is assigned an academic and faculty advisor to guide them through this process.
What are the options for studying
abroad? There are a wide range of opportunities for students looking to study abroad. With programs in hundreds of cities around the world in a broad scope of interests, students are enriched with unique possibilities to immerse themselves in completely new perspectives. Most students choose to go abroad during their junior year, and the Dyson Student Services office works with students to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in a program of their choice. Though junior year is typically dedicated to internship recruitment, there are many internship friendly programs that allow students to be back in time for interview processes. Furthermore, for those not able to study abroad, international internships or summer programs are readily available through joint efforts by career services and the abroad programs.
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