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Cornell University

Undergraduate Education

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University is engaged in pioneering pursuit of inclusive, purpose-driven science. As Cornell University’s second largest college, with discovery for impact at its core, we work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through equitable, world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

The Office of Student Services aims to assist undergraduate students in their academic and personal success by building an inclusive community of student support made up of faculty, staff, peers, alumni, and extensive resources from across the college and university. Our team supports over 3,590 undergraduate students across 16 academic departments (https://cals.cornell.edu/about), with 22 majors and more than 40 minors across the agricultural, environmental, and social sciences, Cornell CALS offers an unrivaled academic experience.

College FAQs

Who advises students in your school/college?

Student Services: CALS Inclusive Academic Advising Team and the Registrar Team (including student success navigators) provides advising related to the CALS distribution and graduation requirements 

Major Specific: Advising coordinators and advisors provide advising for the majors 

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

Student Services: The CALS Inclusive Academic Advising Team does not have an assigned caseload of students. Students can make appointments with any member of the team as needed throughout the academic year.  

Major Specific: CALS students are assigned an advisor and can meet with their major’s advising coordinator for any major-related advising.

How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

Student Services: Appointment link for CALS Advising: https://cornell1.my.site.com/cu/s/appointments 

Major Specific: Students should check their respective major website or email their advising coordinator to make appointments in their majors 

When should I meet with my advisor?

Student Services: Before pre-enrollment, before the drop deadline, before the add deadline, at the start of the semester, when there are questions about CALS distribution or graduation requirements, as needed

Assigned faculty advisor/advising coordinator: Selecting major classes, before the drop deadline, before the add deadline, at the start of the semester, as needed

Four Advising Areas

Academic Focus

CALS inclusive academic advising focuses on forming intentional partnerships with students and stakeholders to achieve academic success, holistic wellness, and a sense of belonging. Our academic services include, but are not limited to, advising resources and inclusive academic advising for CALS Distribution and University graduation requirements, student petitions, good academic standing policy support, student success navigators who work with first-year and transfer students, faculty communication support, course registration, degree progress, and referrals to helpful resources on and off campus. 

Experiential Learning

Students in CALS have the opportunity to conduct research and participate in study abroad opportunities. On average, 46% of our undergraduates engage in research experiences, 80% complete one or more internships and 33% complete an international experience.

Community and Belonging

Along with respective major events, CALS students can join student organizations, participate in first generation programming, transfer student programming, enroll in our peer mentor/mentee course, attend Kick it with CALS community food and activity events and so much more to connect with the college community. 

Career Exploration 

From the moment students arrive on campus the CALS career team will support them in learning more about their academic and career interests, in putting together a plan to explore those interests, and in developing strategies to reach their career goals. Our team focuses on creating high-impact career support, resources, and programming, and connecting students to experiential opportunities such as internships, research, community engagement, entrepreneurial pursuits, and international experiences. We also offer alumni and employer programming in the CALS Zone where students can connect with alumni and professionals in fields of interest.