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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Student Academic Success

Students sitting at a table laughing with their laptops open and books on the table


Student success is our top priority at Cornell University. Your student has many resources available to help, no matter where they are in their academic journey.

Deciding on a Major or Career Path

Your student’s advisor can help them explore options for their academic journey.

Your student can also connect with Career Services. Career Services can help your student find a major or program that fits with their personality traits and goals. There are various assessments for students to discover strengths and potential career paths. If your student is deciding on a major, they can chat with a career specialist in the main office or in their major about options.

Tutoring Services

The Learning Strategies Center (LSC) provides academic assistance for classes that students are currently taking at Cornell University. LSC offers tutoring that is a free service available to all undergraduate students. LSC also offers support for students outside of their office, providing resources for academic support throughout the university.

Disability Resources for Students

Student Disability Services assists students with disabilities. They work in partnership with Cornell faculty, staff, and students to ensure that all aspects of student life are accessible, equitable, and inclusive of individuals with disabilities.

A person with a disability is defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Examples of disabilities include:

  • Cognitive: Learning disabilities, ADHD, traumatic brain injury
  • Psychiatric: Depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD
  • Physical and Systemic: Spinal cord injury, Crohn's disease, migraines, chronic illness
  • Vision and Hearing Impairments
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder

Academic accommodations are determined by the current impact of a disability. Students with physical or learning disabilities must register with SDS to receive accommodations. More information and the steps your student can take to apply for accommodations can be found on the Get Started website.

Writing Center

The Cornell Writing Center (CWC) provides support for individuals at any stage of the writing process. CWC is a free resource for both undergraduate and graduate students and can help your student brainstorm topics, develop a thesis, build their argument, help with research, organize their writing, develop editing strategies, and implement standard citation conventions.

Office Hours

Faculty members often make time during the week to be available for students outside of the classroom. This is known as ‘office hours’. Office hours allow your student to meet one-on-one with faculty to ask questions or express concerns.

Attending office hours and getting to know faculty can also offer additional opportunities, like research projects or internships.

Libraries

The Cornell University Library offers a vast collection of academic resources and learning experiences. Students can explore all the Libraries have to offer, including...

  • Drop-in and online research help
  • Workshops
  • Personal consultations
  • Collaborative and independent study spaces
  • Computers
  • And more!

Check out our Cornell Family Conversation with the Libraries for more in-depth information.

Math Support Center

The Mathematics Support Center specializes in calculus tutoring but also provides help with upper-level mathematics courses and with mathematical concepts students encounter in other courses. Free tutoring is offered on a walk-in basis.

Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives

Working closely with Cornell’s undergraduate colleges, the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI) is focused on inclusion and achievement across the Cornell Campus so students of all backgrounds excel at their academic goals. OADI programs especially support low‐income students, those who are the first in their families to attend college, and underrepresented students of color. OADI is a place of lively discussion and interchange—a family environment in which to feel at home and speak openly—and is a strong voice of advocacy across Cornell. OADI works to help students get the most out of Cornell and to assist Cornell to benefit more fully from inclusive excellence.