probability of being able to live various places based on availability and acceptance rates,or just connect you with other professional staff in the specific community you're interested in. E-mail me if you have any questions!
*Note I did not say anything about signing contracts/leases yet - applications are not legally binding!
Remember... it's not where you live, it's who you
If you are accepted to a Program House(s), you will know your lottery number(s) by 2/21 (PH lottery is on 2/26). You will not receive a General Housing Selection lottery timeslot (for West Campus and South Campus) until March, so you cannot just "wait to see which lottery number is better" and make your decision that way. If you do not choose a bed during PH lottery, you will have lost your chance to be in those communities. Remember that it's not just about where you live but rather whom you live with - the community!
- Program Houses (11 of them) - Co-Ops (eight of them) - Greek Life (56 groups) - Off-Campus - West Campus (12 buildings) - South Campus/Collegetown (four residence halls) - Being an RA (19 communities) - Chesterton and Sophia Houses (three houses) - Telluride House (one house)
General Housing Selection Lottery
For General Housing Selection, you can enter the lottery by yourself or you can block with up to five other people. Your entire block will receive one specific lottery timeslot together, then the block leader goes online at that time to choose a building, rooms, and beds. Keep in mind that many rooms and beds may already be taken by the time of your lottery timeslot, so you may have to split up your block. Timeslots are assigned at random within class year (all rising sophomores go first), but you MUST sign up for housing by 2/28 to live on-campus for 2020-2021.
Program Houses:
There are 1,000+ students living in the 10 North Campus Program Houses + the one West Campus Program
Program House (Language House), and ~65% of those students are sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Houses Timeline
Apply by Nov. 20 and hear back via e-mail by Dec. 23 - Apply between Nov. 20 and Feb. 1 and hear back via e-mail by Feb. 21 - You will receive your lottery number(s) by Feb. 21
PH Lottery is on Feb. 26, where you pick your bed and roommate(s) and sign your contract
Applying
Fill out the app in the housing portal (apply to as many as you want ) - Get involved! You have a higher chance of being accepted if you have already demonstrated your commitment to that community through your involvement as a resident or active Out-of- House Member.
Cost
$0 - $100 annual PH fee - see chart - $8,400 - $11,000 room rate based on # of beds - see chart
Deadlines
Nov. 20 @ 11:59pm for priority consideration - Feb. 1 @ 11:59pm as the final deadline
While each Program House has its own theme and community vibe, they are known for being tight-knit and full of individuals with passion for that PH's theme. You do not need to already have extensive knowledge about certain topics to live in any PH, nor do you need to identify as a member of a specific culture to live in cultural ones.
Resident Advisor:
Before you read on, note that "free housing" cannot be your only motivator. You won't enjoy the job, and you, your community, and your staff team will suffer. If you are motivated because you truly want to help others and work hard to do that , then read on!
Timeline
Go to any general info session (find the schedule of all six here)
Apply here by Nov. 4 @ 11:59pm - If selected to continue after applying, attend carousel, our half-day interview (all candidates will be notified of their status on Nov. 26) - Attend training Jan. 14 - 20 if hired for spring - Potentially go to additional interview(s) with specific Program Houses - Go to RA Candidate Community & Staff Showcase on Feb. 5 from 5:30 - 7pm to connect with current student and professional staff - Receive a decision via e-mail on Feb. 19 (Dec. 17 for Spring 2020 positions) - Attend training ~10 days before classes start in August
Application
- Apply online here - Highly recommended attending an info session and speaking with multiple current RAs/professional staff before applying
Cost Benefits
Free microfridge rental - 20% discounted meal plan (if you want it) - $500/semester for your 1st and 2nd semesters (add'l benefits for add'l semesters) - Leadership development that can only help you in every future endeavor on campus and beyond
Deadlines
Apply by Nov. 4 @ 11:59pm
Other
Becoming an RA can affect your financial aid package. Speak with Fianancial Aid before applying
Cornell Co-Ops:
Cornell owns eight co-ops ranging in size from 10 to 35 residents. The idea of a co-op is that everyone truly has both a responsibility to and a responsibility for the community, so everyone pitches in to do some of the cooking, cleaning, and maintenance . While Greek Life goes through "Rush" for their recruitment, the co-ops offer "Mosey" for their recruitment.
Co-ops do not have RAs but Co-Op Options instead have officers and house managers, and the duties of each vary by house. Residents often democratically agree on the house rules at meetings at the beginning of the year and throughout the semester, but it's important to remember that co-ops are still University-owned residences.
Cooperative Living: Cornell Co-Ops Timeline
Fall Co-Op Mosey for a small number of spring openings: Nov. 10 1-5pm - Spring Co-Op Mosey for 2020-2021 openings: Feb. 2 from 1-5pm - Every co-op will have various social events in February you can go to also - You would find out about any acceptances ~Feb. 23 - Attend co-op lottery to pick your room ~Feb. 25
Cost
- $3,300 - $8,000 room rate depending on co-op and # of beds - see chart - $0 - $1,100 meal plan or kitchen staples fee - see chart
Deadlines
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 and Feb. 28
Applying
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 and Feb. 28 - Acceptance is separate to each co-op and based on how well you have connected with that specific community
- See the co-op website for links t o each individual co-op
Telluride House
The Telluride House is a community of both undergrads and graduate students focused on intense engagement with, curiosity of, and service to the world. This community is built on the ideals of Intellectual Inquiry, Democratic Self-Government, and Community Living. There are typically 25-30 people living there, and everyone is involved with the community through committees, presentations, and more. The amenities in the house include computers and printers plus a weight room and laundry room; all the rooms are singles and doubles.
Timeline
Simply apply by the deadline then play the waiting game
Application
Find t he applicat ion online here
Note that this application is not short and requires true effort to prove you deserve this opportunity and will contribute to the mission
Cost
All residents receive a full room and board scholarship, renewable for up to five years - If offered a spot, be sure to check with the Financial Aid Office before signing a lease t o see if this will affect your aid package
Deadlines
Applicat ions due by Oct . 24 @ 11:59pm
Greek Life
Cornell has 33 fraternities in IFC (Interfraternity Council), 13 sororities in PA (Panhellenic Association), and 11 organizations in MGFC (Multicultural Greek & Fraternal Council). Each council has different recruitment processes. Many chapters have houses and every chapter differs in its requirements and availability for housing. Read the Sorority & Fraternity Life website for info. Now in its second year, you also MUST go to Bystander Training before being eligible for recruitment - info here. You can't go through recruitment without it!
Recruitment for PA sororities ("Rush") is quite structured. On Jan. 14 there is a mandatory meeting t hen you have various events through Jan. 20. You can remove yourself from Rush at any time if you simply aren't finding what you are looking for. You need to register for recruitment - all the details can be found on the PA website.
IFC recruitment is not quite as structured as PA recruitment, but still predominantly takes places before classes start in January. You attend various open houses offered by the chapters, then there are three nights of "contacts." The spring schedule is here, and in addition to Bystander Training you must also attend an orientation in the fall to be eligible for January recruitment - dates here.
MGFC groups do not have the same structured recruitment processes for all of their chapters at once. Recruitment for these groups is primarily done through info sessions, interest meetings, and word-of-mouth. If you are interested in specific groups, your best bet is to contact the chapter president and ask for more info. For more info about any chapter or recruitment, contact Ricky Boche at ehb76@cornell.edu.
Off-Campus Housing:
Think critically about roommates, budgeting, and more!
Before you move off-campus, remember that first-years and sophomores are guaranteed on-campus housing. But if you know you're ready to move off or you don't want to be tied to on-campus housing for whatever reason, below is some info you need t o know!
Timeline
You may have heard some people have already signed leases for August 2020 - it is absolutely not necessary to do that this early. Cornell has been working with Ithaca landlords to stop the excessive demand on early leasing, so if you do it by April you should still be fine
Applying
Varies by leasing company/individual
Cost (not an exhaustive list)
Startup costs often include first month's rent (or even first two months' rent), security deposit, and last month's rent - Monthly rent (current Ithaca averages are $1,000 for a studio, $1,100 for 1 bedroom, $1,500 for 2 bedroom) - Monthly food budget - Utilities (gas, electric, water) - Furnishings, if applicable - Trash/recycling/compost removal - Internet/cable/online streaming subscriptions - Pet fees - Parking and/or bus pass - Small t hings t hat add up like dishes, pots/pans, shower curtain, cleaning supplies, toilet paper - Renter's insurance (I highly recommend this) - Things you just can't predict! - Money to still go out and do stuff with friends
Deadlines
Keep track of when all your bills are due; they likely won't all have the same due dates - Last day to sign up for on-campus housing is Feb. 28 (this is not signing a contract)
Other
You may need a co-signer; now is a good time to start building your credit wisely - Leases are legally binding - Visit the Office of Off-Campus Living (Willard Straight) for advice from Peer Advisors and pro staff working closely with Ithaca landlords - Pick your roommate(s) very, very carefully...
South Campus:
There are four residence halls on South Campus: Cascadilla, Sheldon Court, Schuyler House, and 112 Edgemoor. Schuyler residents receive a bus pass, Edgemoor residents all have singles in the 20-person house, and Cascadilla and Sheldon Court are in the heart of Collegetown. South Campus is for upperlevel students only.
Timeline
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 - You will receive your lottery slot via e-mail in early March - General Housing Selection happens online Mar. 9-11
Applying
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 - There is not a select ive applicat ion process since t hese beds are a part of General Housing Selection (a.k.a., general lottery)
Cost
$8,400 - $11,000 (room rate based on # of beds - see chart)
Deadlines
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 - if you miss that deadline, you're not living on-campus next year - Select your bed/roommate(s) during your assigned lottery day/time in March. If you skip the entire housing selection timeframe, you'll go on the waitlist but there is no guarantee of getting off the waitlist
West Campus:
You may think all sophomores live on West, but in reality it's ~36% of the class. Each House has a dining hall, and the staff is made up of Graduate Resident Fellows (GRFs) who provide academic support and Student Assistants (SAs) who do social programming. Note that some buildings are the "houses" while others are the "gothics" - more info here.
Timeline
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 - You will receive your lottery slot via e-mail in early March - General Housing Selection happens online Mar. 9 - 11
Applying
Sign up for housing between Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 - There is not a selective application process since these beds are a part of General Housing Selection (a.k.a., general lottery)
Cost
$8,400 - $11,000 (room rate based on # of beds - see chart) - $3,000 meal plan required
Deadlines
Sign up for housing between Jan.22-Feb.28 - Select your bed and roommate(s) during your assigned lottery day/time Mar. 9-11
Whoa! That was a ton of info!
If you're feeling overwhelmed or confused, or if you hear stuff from older students that doesn't line up with what is in here, you never have to hesitate to stop by my office or just shoot me an e-mail to ask more questions.
Remember to always have a plan B in case your first choice of housing doesn't work out - there is often a lot of time between applying and hearing back or getting your lottery number, and you don't want to have to be scrambling at the last minute.