Frequently Asked Questions

How 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.

• “It gets very cold, but as long as you buy lots of hats and gloves, a good pair of boots and a warm coat it’s not too bad!” – Savanna Steinberg ‘18
  
• “Coming from Georgia, the adjustment was a little tough at first. But once I learned to wear lots of layers, I started to get used to it.” – Daniel Crochet ‘18
  
• “Walking around when it’s super cold can be rough, but our bus system is pretty good. You can take buses from outside your dorm to outside your classes. All freshmen get free bus passes, so it’s easy to get to class warmly.” – Ben Smolarchik ‘17
  

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.

• “Sometimes I hike by the gorges or go shopping at the farmer’s market. There are also lots of festivals downtown like Chilifest, Applefest, and a music festival. Some people will also go to the movies or go eat at restaurants in Ithaca Commons or Collegetown.” – Giselle Rivera ‘17
  
• “I paint pottery at the Ithaca Mall at a store called Dynamic Ceramics. I also love to go get froyo in Ithaca.” – June Liu ‘18
  
• “I sometimes go rock climbing at the Lindseth Climbing Wall in Bartels Hall. There are also a lot of outdoor activities to do during the winter. I have gone snow tubing and skiing at Greek Peak with my friends.” – George Li ‘18
  

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.

• “I like sitting outside of Collegetown Bagels when the weather is nice and eating with friends!” – Andrea Weidman ’15
• “Even though I have not been to one yet, Slope Day is my favorite tradition. It is both an amazing concert and one of the only days of the year when the entire Cornell community is together.” – Miles Hindin ‘18
• “Skipping rocks on the musical steps is my favorite tradition.” – John Sulpuzio ‘17

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/

• “The food is restaurant quality if you know where to look. The establishments that take BRBs are my favorites, such as Trillium and Synapsis. They are great places to take a break and grab a meal with friends in between classes, as they are conveniently located on Central Campus. There's almost always a good friend there to eat with. Una Mano of Trillium is my all-time favorite.” – Seth Hope ‘18
  
• “The food on campus tastes really good. There usually is a large selection of food to choose from. Although the menus change every day, there are common dishes that most people would like. Healthy choices are always made available.” – Christina Pang ‘18
  
• “The food is very good because there is a lot of variety. For Dyson students, there are multiple options within a few minutes walking distance of the Ag quad where the Dyson classes are located.” – Rohan Bhatia ‘16
  

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.

• “It is not hard to get around campus, but it is time consuming. I have to compensate for the time it takes to travel to Central Campus from North; however, the free bus pass for freshmen helps make this manageable.” – Taylor Levy ‘18
• “As a Dyson Freshman, it is easy to get to classes because North Campus is nearby. I also have a car, which helps.” – Carlos Cevallos ‘16
• “If the weather is poor, it can be difficult to get around campus and going uphill is a bit of a struggle; however, there are many pathways, sidewalks, and shortcuts that make travel easier.” – Shilpa Iyer ‘17

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/

• “I do not think the adjustment was bad. I got to learn a lot of stuff and meet new people. No one treated me differently. I got the chance to explore challenges, but sometimes it is a little hard to merge into the American culture.” – Xin Hao ‘18
• “It can be a challenge initially to get used to a different learning environment, but the professors and students are willing to help you adjust and do well. The pre-orientation program PREPARE helps a lot of incoming freshmen get adjusted!” – Abhinav Parakh ‘17
• “Some people don't realize the amount of extra effort we have to put in every day, even for the most mundane things, because we are international. I remember the first few weeks at Cornell I would be exhausted just from having to speak in English 24/7 (English being my 3rd language). I think Cornell is, however, doing a great job at helping us get more integrated socially and culturally through all the programs that it offers to internationals.” – Cristiana Mihai ‘18

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.

• “At Dyson, there is a strong group mentality. Although there is a high emphasis on grades, peers are always willing to help each other.” – Dani Ragin ‘17
  
• “It is a very collaborative environment due to the high volume of group work we have in our curriculum. For example, in my marketing class, we worked with a team of four students to develop a marketing plan.” – Daniel Abaraoha ‘18
  
• “Many of the Dyson classes consist of group projects which creates a more friendly and cooperative culture. Students definitely work together, study together and help each other succeed.” – Paulette Machuca ‘18
  

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.

• “I chose my concentration during sophomore year. I decided that Finance was the best focus for me because of my interest in the subject matter -- both academically and professionally. I have always enjoyed working with numbers, and I liked the excitement and risk associated with the subject matter. None of the other concentrations fit these interests as well as Finance did.” – Andrea Weidman ‘15
  
• “I chose my concentration my sophomore year. I knew I wanted to concentrate in finance when I came to Cornell.” – John Sulpuzio ‘17
  
• “I decided on my concentration by looking at the course requirements and their relevance to my passion of entrepreneurship.” – Miles Hindin ‘18
  

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.

• “The workload varies at different points throughout the semester. Sometimes it's heavy, sometimes it's light, but overall it has seemed manageable so far. Professors and TAs are always very helpful in keeping me up to date and on track. As long as one is persistent and dedicated, it's nothing any qualified student can't handle.”  – Seth Hope ‘18
  
• “The workload in Dyson is manageable. Although there are times where work seems to pile up, with proper time management and determination, all the work that needs to get done will be done.” – Christina Pang ‘18
  
• “I would describe the workload as fair for Dyson students. More importantly, I believe that how you do as a student does reflect the effort put into the work. Like all majors, the workload can be tough at times, but that should be expected at such a prestigious school. The willingness of a lot of professors and teaching assistants to empathize and help students finish their work does lessen the pressure put on students.” – Rohan Bhatia ‘16    
  

 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.

• “Our classes in Dyson aren’t typically huge lectures and the professors make them very interactive, so it’s easy to make connections with them just through classes. Most of my professors are also very open and conversational, especially before and after classes, so I’ve developed some great relationships with them.” – Seth Hope ‘18
• “Most professors here are really eager to talk to students either after class or in office hours. You don’t always have to talk to them about the class in particular or your homework. Even going to office hours and talking about an article that relates to the field they’re in or something you learned in class can really spark great conversation.” – Chris Uhler ‘16
• “I think it’s easy to develop relationships with professors if you actively participate in class, whether that’s actively listening or contributing to the class discussion. I think professors notice and appreciate both, and they will remember you for that.” – Madeleine Roglich ‘18

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.  

• “The best way to prepare in my opinion is through job shadowing and internships. Besides that, connecting with alumni, professors, and visiting faculty provides insights into what their struggles have been, what has surprised them, and what they have learned from their experiences.” – Shilpa Iyer ‘17
• “Outside of class, there is a plethora of activities on and off campus that can prepare an individual for the workplace. Many organizations, such as business and social fraternities, offer skills and experiences that are beneficial in the real world. Additionally, there are very many clubs that cover many professional topics, where an individual can gain relatable experience. Finally, there are many work study and job positions that students can participate in on campus and in college town.” – Daniel Crochet ‘18
• “Cornell provides excellent opportunities to engage in extra-curricular activities to gain hands-on experience in specific fields. There are various Finance, Consulting, and Entrepreneur Clubs, along with a few Professional Business Fraternities, that help you with team-work activities as well as workplace expectations. Other clubs can also help you develop skills.” – Helen Zhao ‘18

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 CALS Abroad 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.

• “Cornell has a fantastic study abroad program that enhances your curriculum. Cornell works well to establish partnerships with other universities and allows you to obtain transferable credits while abroad.” – Kenneth Sang ‘17
  
• “Studying abroad for a semester is definitely an attainable goal. While pursuing a degree from Dyson, I was able to study in Lille, France at IESEG School of Management through the CALS exchange program. The classes I took there were not only engaging and unique, but also counted for credit towards my degree here at Cornell.” – Jessica Krause ‘15
  
• “I never studied abroad, but interning abroad in Beijing in my summer after freshman year was an incredibly valuable experience. Interning abroad creates a great deal of perspective to business problems in the world, while enabling amazing personal development.” – Brian Harwitt ‘15