New Student Orientation

This page will be updated as more information becomes available. A complete schedule will be posted prior to Fall Orientation in August. Please also consult your field’s website for field-, college-, and program-specific orientation programs.

Spring 2025 Orientation Highlights:

Dean’s Welcome Breakfast – Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., Big Red Barn

Drop in for breakfast with Graduate School Dean and Vice Provost for Graduate Education Kathryn J. Boor. This informal program will include a warm welcome for new members of Cornell’s community of scholars and researchers. Learn about the resources and support services available to graduate students.

Community Events for New Graduate and Professional Students – dates starting mid-January 2025

The Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center will provide connection opportunities for all incoming students, including trivia night, a language mixer, socials, TGIF, and more! View the Graduate School events calendar for a list of events, dates and times, and descriptions.

For Our International Students:

Spring 2025 International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation and Networking Event – Friday, January 17, 1 – 4 p.m.

Register to attend the International Student Orientation! The Office of Global Learning’s orientation is for first year international graduate and professional students. It gives students an early start on their Cornell experience by introducing them to important resources for international students and helping them connect with their classmates from around the world.

The English Language Support Office (ELSO) provides writing, speaking, and language support to Cornell graduate and professional students who use English as an additional language. Learn more about ELSO. 

If you have any questions, or need any support regarding accommodations, please contact Janna Lamey, associate dean for graduate student life (607-255-5184 or janna.lamey@cornell.edu).

Please note: This information and related orientation events are designed for students in programs administered by the Cornell Graduate School. See our Graduate School Degrees page for more information.