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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Policies and Instructions

Overview of Membership Requirements

  • Scholars are expected to maintain active engagement in research throughout their undergraduate years.

Annual Requirements

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Conduct research at least 6 hours/week each semester (starting spring of freshman year, unless on approved hiatus, off-campus program, or leave).
    • Students having issues finding a faculty mentor by their second semester of their freshman year should contact the RCPRS Director for assistance.
  • Submit all forms, plans, and funding requests on time.
  • Obtain approval before incurring research expenses.
  • Present research when possible.
  • Complete an annual review each spring with a favorable faculty mentor evaluation.
  • Maintain communication with program staff.
  • Meet promptly with program staff if experiencing difficulty meeting requirements.

Year-Specific Requirements

First-Year and New Upper-Class Selected Students

  • Fall semester: Attend all required colloquium sessions and complete three informational interviews with faculty (one may be with an upper-level student).
  • First-year students: Complete two cold-email assignments contacting Cornell faculty on the Ithaca campus whose research aligns with their interests.
  • Upper-class students: Complete two cold-email assignments contacting faculty or programs of interest for a potential summer research experience.
  • Spring semester: Submit a research plan with project goals, begin research (any discipline or college), submit appropriate form for research for credit or wages (volunteering not permitted).

Sophomore & Junior Years

  • Update research plan when changing faculty mentors.
  • Submit a research-for-credit or wages form each semester.
  • Complete one summer of full-time research (on- or off-campus).
  • Present research at events such as the Cornell Undergraduate Research Board (CURB) Spring Forum (strongly encouraged).

Senior Year

  • Continue to submit research-for-credit or wages forms each semester.
  • Present at the RCPRS Senior Expo.
  • Complete a senior honors thesis (strongly encouraged).
  • Present at additional events (e.g., CURB Spring Forum).

All Four Years

  • Uphold the standards and ideals of the RCPRS program, which include, but are not limited to full IRB compliance and to follow disciplinary specific codes of research ethics.

Poster Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours are students expected to engage in research?
As a baseline, students should be expected to conduct research for academic credit or for wages around 6-10 hours per week.

How soon are freshmen expected to engage in research?
Freshmen are not required to do research their first semester; they are, however, required to participate in the RCPRS Freshman Colloquium.

Freshmen are encouraged to engage in research/secure a faculty mentor by their spring semester. However, they have until the fall semester of their sophomore year to submit their research verification. 

What if I can’t secure a research opportunity? 
Students are responsible for finding a faculty mentor. Freshman Colloquium provides opportunities to get started, such as during the Freshman-Faculty Dinner, the college sessions, and while conducting the faculty informational interviews. Students should speak with their college representatives, peer advisors, attend seminars in their field(s) of interest, talk to their professors, and search online. If these efforts do not result in securing a mentor, students must communicate directly with the program director.

What is conditional status?
Conditional status is a temporary designation granted at the discretion of the director that allows a scholar to remain in the program while meeting outstanding requirements within a specified time frame.

What if I don’t meet the minimum GPA requirement?
Conditional status may be granted once or at the discretion of the director if the GPA requirement is not met. The director will check your progress after the semester ends and reinstate you in good standing for the following semester provided the requirement has been met. 

Are the requirements different if I am off-campus for a semester or an entire year?

One Semester Off-Campus: 

  • Research is waived for a semester in which a student participates in an off-campus program such as study-abroad, Cornell in Washington, etc.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Submit annual review materials to demonstrate compliance 

Full Academic Year Off-Campus: 

  • Research requirements are waived
  • Must still meet a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Students who spend a full academic year off campus should meet with program staff as soon as they return to discuss their plans and learn what steps are needed to remain a member

Have more questions?
Please contact your program’s director for further guidance. You can also reach the Cornell Commitment office Monday-Friday 9AM-4:30PM in 300 Kennedy Hall, or call (607) 255-8595.