Located in the scenic Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Cornell is an Ivy League research university that prides itself on its vast variety of courses and majors. Founded in 1865 upon the principle that “any person can find instruction in any study,” Cornell is distinguished by its 7 distinct colleges and 80 major fields of study. Three of its colleges—Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Ecology, and Industrial and Labor Relations—are considered New York State “contract” schools, which offer decreased tuition rates for in-state residents. With 14 student honor societies, the school encourages acknowledgment of students’ academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
Cornell has more than 500 student organizations on campus, ranging from the Big Red Marching Band to an Ultimate Frisbee team. First-year students live together in a cluster of dorms on North Campus, fostering a strong community bond. With more than 30 Division I athletic teams, the Big Red is perhaps best known for its men’s basketball and lacrosse teams, which regularly compete for national championships.
Ithaca itself is known as much for its beautiful gorges as for its cultural activities. The Downtown Commons hosts annual events ranging from an Apple Festival to a Chili Cook-Off, and the town’s farmer’s market is a local favorite, with 150 vendors selling fresh, organic foods. Ithaca was even named as one of the “foodiest towns in America” by Bon Appetit Magazine!