Table of Contents

Introduction

What is a Research Institution?

Curriculum and Requirements

• Degree Requirements
• Getting Started -- The first two years at Cornell
• What happens in a major? Why do all colleges require them?
• Seminars, research, and independent study
• Using the whole university to create a course of study
• Double majors
• Study abroad
• Internships and paid employment
• Adding and dropping courses
• Workload
• Grades -- Average Arts and Sciences grade is between B and B+
• Advanced placement credit
• Acceleration (graduating in fewer than eight semesters) - about eight percent of our students
• Graduating in a bit more than eight semesters -- about ten percent of our students
• Time off: leaves of absence

Academic Advising

• The advising relationship

Balancing Academics with Social/Extracurricular Activities

A Potpourri of Academic Issues

• Orientation of new students -- What is the purpose?
• The evolution of the canon and the liberal arts curriculum
• Computers -- Do all students need them and if so, which kind?
• Academic integrity
• Graduate teaching assistants
• "My teacher can’t speak English"

Some Personal and Social Issues

• Academic pressure and personal stress
• Rule #1 for parents: Keep the lines of communication open
• Need for parental approval
• What to do when your son or daughter calls home with the blues
• Roommate problems
• A word about alcohol

Support Services

Communication with Families -- What Can You Expect to Hear from the College?

How to Resolve Problems: Don't write the president

Careers

• Career Services for Arts and Sciences Students
• Careers and majors

Preparing for Graduate and Professional Schools

• Graduate school in an academic subject - PhD or master’s degree?
• Professional programs leading to a master’s degree
• The big three graduate professional programs

Personal conclusions

• A Personal Conclusion from Maria Davidis
• A Personal Conclusion from Lynne Abel