Barbara McClintock Hall

Barbara McClintock Hall is a modern residence hall designed to help students build connections, explore new opportunities, and fully engage in the Cornell experience. As part of the North Campus community, it is an ideal fit for students who are excited to meet new people, discover new interests, and become active participants in campus life. Through thoughtfully designed common spaces, residential programming, and everyday interactions, students develop friendships, strengthen their sense of belonging, and establish a foundation for success at Cornell.

Living in Barbara McClintock Hall gives students the opportunity to become part of a supportive and engaged community while developing the friendships, confidence, and campus connections that contribute to a successful college experience . Inspired by the legacy of a pioneering Cornell scientist, the hall provides an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and personal growth thrive.

More About Barbara McClintock Hall

The hall is named in honor of Barbara McClintock, one of Cornell's most distinguished alumni and one of the world's most influential plant genetics scientists, receiving a Nobel prize in 1983. Naming the residence hall in her honor celebrates both her extraordinary scientific contributions and Cornell's commitment to innovation, discovery, and academic excellence.

Designed with collaboration and community in mind, Barbara McClintock Hall features modern living spaces and abundant common areas that encourage students to connect beyond their individual rooms. Spacious lounges, study areas, and nearby cafés create natural gathering places for group study, social interaction, and community-building. Residence hall staff, Faculty-in-Residence members, and Resident Advisors offer programs and activities that help students navigate their first year, explore campus resources, and build meaningful relationships with peers.

Community Features

311 residents
Located on North Campus
Corridor-style with bedrooms are directly off a hallway. Floors are mixed gender.
Communal bathrooms shared by a varying number of residents of the area. Privacy option bathrooms are available.
Bedrooms contain, for each occupant: an extra-long twin bed, a wardrobe and three drawer bureau, a desk and desk chair, a wastebasket, and recycling bin
12 lounges (five on the third and second floors and two on the first floor) with tables and couches. In each end lounge (with the kitchen), there are TVs for watching movies or presentations. The lounges within residential rooms have large white boards.
A wellness room with DVDs, a large table, and a desk for studying or meditation
Break out room on the first floor with four desks and couches for residents to study or do homework
One multipurpose room, usually used for meetings. However, residents are welcomed to use to study/work on group projects when not in use.
Six kitchens (two on each floor) with a fridge, stove, and microwave. There is one oven in the main kitchen located in first floor main lobby.
Three trash rooms with recycling and a trash chute
Two elevators
Piano in the main lobby
Laundry facilities
There is no bike room, but residents have access to Hu Shih Hall's bike room
Wireless Internet access

Housing Population Type

1st Year

large angular building with sidewalk and green grass

Single occupancy room in Barbara McClintock Hall

Double occupancy room with two beds, desks, and dressers

A bed with open drawers beneath it and an open armoire.

Quad room that has 4 beds, desks, and dressers

Windows and study lounge overlooking a beautiful view.

A large communal kitchen in Barbara McClintock Hall with countertops, a stove, a fridge, cabinets, a microwave, and many different tables and chairs.

A close up of the large communal kitchen with cabinets and countertops, a sink, a fridge, a microwave, a stove, and a high top table with chairs, in Barbara McClintock Hall.

the laundry room in Barbara McClintock Hall, featuring many washers and dryers, a table to fold clothes, and two chairs with a small table attached.

Faculty Involvement

Nozomi Nishimura, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is the Faculty-in-Residence at Barbara McClintock Hall. She lives in an apartment in the building with her partner, Chris Schaffer, Faculty Fellow in Residence and Professor in Biomedical Engineering, and regularly spends time with student residents of the McClintock community.

Barbara McClintock Hall has a number of Faculty and Community Fellows that provide students with opportunities to explore and cultivate their academic, intellectual, and cultural interests. You will find them attending events in your building, eating with students in the dining room, and leading on- and off-campus trips to lectures, plays, films, concerts, and regional points of interest.

Helpful Information and Important Links

Below are resources and guidelines to support your residential experience at Cornell University. Please review the tabs below and bookmark these pages to apply for housing, browse through meal plan options, find mail and package information, and explore the Barbara McClintock community on CampusGroups.