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Cornell University

Undergraduate Education

College of Engineering

Cornell Engineering is the largest and most prestigious engineering program in the Ivy League. The college is widely recognized for its rigor, commitment to excellence in education and research, and its longstanding legacy of educating students who go on to become leaders. Cornell Engineering envisions a future in which its student body and faculty reflect the gender, socioeconomic, and racial diversity of society. We endeavor to be a collaborative community of scholars and innovators who leverage the intellectual diversity of Cornell University to push the frontiers of knowledge and to address humanity’s grand challenges. Our graduates will be recognized and valued for their commitment to excellence, enthusiasm for learning, integrity, ethical behavior, and ability to work and thrive in diverse teams. 

College FAQs

Who advises students in your school/college?

Professional Staff Academic Advisors in Engineering Advising: 

The professional staff academic advisors in Engineering Advising provide a variety of professional advising services to help first-and second-year students with academic and personal matters, as well as continued access for upper-class affiliated students. The professional staff academic advisors in Engineering Advising follow an alphabetical cohort model of advising based on the last name of each student. 

Faculty Advisors: 

Students are assigned a faculty advisors when they begin their course of study in the College of Engineering. Faculty advisors help students translate their interests into an appropriate course of study, evaluate their curriculum and workload, monitor their progress toward a degree, and take advantage of the diverse opportunities available at Cornell. 

Peer Advisors: 

Peer Advisors are senior, junior, and sophomore engineering students who assist new students with the academic transition from high school to college. As part of their participation in the Engineering Seminar (ENGRG 1050), all first-year students will interact with their Peer Advisors. 

Directors of Undergraduate Studies:

In each engineering major, a faculty member serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies who works with students' faculty advisors and with the major's Undergraduate Program Coordinator to assist current and prospective major students. 

Undergraduate Program Coordinators:

Each engineering major has an Undergraduate Program Coordinator who works with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to help support students and faculty with any questions about the major. Undergraduate Program Coordinators help advise students who have affiliated with their engineering major. 

How do I know who's my assigned advisor or advising team?

All engineering students can utilize the services of Engineering Advising. Engineering Advising professional staff academic advisors advise students by alphabetical cohort, based on students' last names. 

Students can view their assigned faculty advisors in Student Center

How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

Students can make a 30-minute (in-person or virtual) appointment with their Engineering Advising professional staff academic advisors online through Chatter. When scheduling an appointment, students should find the Engineering Advising tab listed at the top or in the "More" tab drop-down. Note that other offices also use Chatter and have their own appointment booking pages. 

When should I meet with my advisor?

Students can meet with their advisors at any time and are encouraged to be in touch regularly.  We recommend that students touch base with their advisors at least once a semester, and more regularly if they are experiencing academic or personal difficulty.  All first-year engineering students are required to meet with their faculty advisor at least once in the fall semester and at least once in the spring semester to be cleared for pre-enroll. 

Four Advising Areas

Academic Focus

With 14 different majors and 21 minors, Cornell Engineering offers one of the broadest engineering curricula in the world.  First-year students begin general engineering studies focused on the common curriculum.  They will learn about all the different majors offered at Cornell Engineering, which will allow them to explore their options before applying for affiliation with a major in their second year.  Students can learn more at https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/students/undergraduate-students/curriculum/majors-and-minors.  

Experiential Learning

Engineering Learning Initiatives: 

Engineering Learning Initiatives (ELI) enhances the learning environment by promoting evidence-supported practices in teaching and learning.  ELI programs empower students by facilitating student-centered, inclusive, collaborative, and experiential learning opportunities within supportive and accessible communities.  ELI organizes tutors on call, sponsors Academic Excellence Workshops, and runs the college’s Teaching Assistant Development Program. 

Research: 

Research can enhance the undergraduate experience by allowing students to take the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom and apply them to real situations.  Students can find a mentor, apply for a student grant, enroll in research for credit or be hired for research for pay. 

Engineering Project Teams: 

Cornell Engineering Project Teams offer students a unique, multifaceted learning opportunity. Entirely led and run by undergraduates, project teams collaboratively solve complex problems while gaining real-world engineering experience. Project team participation complements world-class classroom and laboratory learning, providing students with opportunities to hone leadership and professional skills alongside teammates from across the college and university. Innovation and teamwork drive the success of this unparalleled program. 

Study Abroad and Exchange: 

There are a variety of options available for engineering students interested in studying abroad.  The College of Engineering supports five exchange programs: University of Cantabria, University of Comillas-ICAI, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.   

In addition, the Education Abroad (Office of Global Learning) manages hundreds of programs for Cornell students and can assist engineering students in finding an experience that meets their needs and interests. 

Engineering Advising will help students think through the process, answer questions about policies and procedures, and along with their faculty advisor, assist students in planning their curriculum. 

Community and Belonging

Diversity Programs in Engineering:

Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs at the pre-college, undergraduate, graduate, and faculty levels.  These programs facilitate the recruitment, development, retention, and success of all members of the engineering community with a concentration on those from backgrounds historically underserved and underrepresented in engineering.  

DPE collaboratively works with university and external partners on initiatives enhancing equity for our community in terms of: ethnicity, race, sex, gender, orientation, identity, first generation status, socioeconomic class, and veteran status. 

Engineering Leadership: 

The Engineering Leadership Program develops engineering students as leaders and team members by offering alumni mentoring, leadership skills clinics, professional coaching, and engineering leadership certifications. 

Career Exploration

Engineering Career Center:

The Engineering Career Center’s goal is to empower students to create lifelong career success.  They assist students in exploring careers, internships, co-ops and full-time jobs; preparing for interviews, evaluating and negotiating job offers, and more!