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Cornell University

Undergraduate Education

College of Architecture, Art and Planning

The College of Architecture, Art, and Planning at Cornell University (Cornell AAP) is a dynamic hub for nearly 1000 students, 120 faculty, and 65 staff members from across the globe. AAP houses five departments across three campuses where students and faculty from around the world come together to invent, explore, and produce new knowledge around the greatest challenges of our time. We are dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges and advancing research in fields related to design, creativity, and sustainability. 

College FAQs

Who advises students in College of Architecture, Art, and Planning?

In AAP, faculty and staff advisors provide a dual prong student advising support model. 

Faculty advisors are assigned to each student upon matriculation, and you will find them listed in Student Center. Faculty advisors serve as a key partner in AAP and help you turn your academic interests in a field into appropriate course selections and discovery. Faculty advisors serve to support and mentor students in their disciplines. Each academic department also has a Director of Undergraduate Study (DUS) who can work with students, office hours are posted by faculty members individually. 

Professional staff advisors in the Office of Admissions and Student Services are available to help with specific advising questions. The registrar team advises on academic policies and procedures, credit requirements, degree requirements, course sequencing, petitions, and transfer credit. Other professional advisors are available to support you with global study opportunities, career support, general college advising, and wellness. The whole student services team also serves as a resource to all students needing a connection to university systems including SDS, CU Health, and all other university offices. 

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

Faculty advisors are assigned and posted to your Student Center page. For professional staff advising, you can schedule with any one of us through the Bookings link. 

How do I make an appointment with an advisor?

Faculty have their office hours posted and can arrange appointments as needed. Professional staff advisors can be booked through Bookings.

When should I meet with my advisor?

Anytime you need help or support in navigating AAP or the University we want to help you! We are here to guide you in thinking about course selection, study abroad, wellness, career paths, and more! 

If you need a place to start– start at the Office of Admissions and Student Services, we can help or point you in the right direction.

Four Advising Areas

Academic Focus

Each of the 3 undergraduate departments in AAP have their own distinct curriculum. As a college, AAP strives to advance research, scholarship, and critical and creative practices to build a more sustainable, just, and resilient world. Each of our programs has unique opportunities to engage in these practices. AAP has the advantage of being Cornell's smallest college, a place where students know their professors and fellow students. Although a small college, students also get an opportunity to explore Cornell and the resources that come with being a world class research university. 

Experiential Learning

In AAP, most students can study abroad in Rome or in New York City. Cornell in Rome is a specialized program that is focused on instruction in the disciplines of architecture design, history, and theory; visual arts; art history, urban studies; and Italian language, history, and culture. Similarly, AAP's program at the Gensler family AAP NYC Center offers AAP students a unique opportunity to live and study in New York City.

Research allows students to take knowledge learned in the classroom to applicable settings. Students have opportunities to engage in research led by faculty with deep disciplinary and trans-disciplinary expertise. AAP research labs address urgent challenges facing our cities and communities today. 

Community and Belonging

AAP has a required first year course, Creating Justice, which connects all students to each other, the college, the university, and the world. The course aims to examine structural racism, colonialism, injustice, bias, and their manifestations through our academic disciplines. 

Also, AAP is committed to supporting our community and to building a culture of belonging at Cornell. Students have opportunities to engage in different college organizations that are listed here. The Office of Admissions and Student Services hosts a diverse array of programming throughout the academic year to support and enhance the academic experience. 

Career Exploration

AAP Career Development is a one-stop shop for all things career development, serving all AAP students. AAP Career Development supports students with career exploration, personal mission statements, application materials, job and internship searches - all the way to job offer negotiations and everything in between. The AAP Career Development team sets students up for career success by providing high level 1:1 advising, a weekly newsletter, career development resources, networking opportunities to connect with alumni and employers, and organizes the annual AAP Career Fair. AAP Career Development is a key strategic partner to our students, and we are here to help you grow and reach your individual career goals! To book with a career advisor, use their Bookings link.