Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question about ILR undergraduate admissions? Check the list below. You should also check the frequently asked questions listed on the Cornell Undergraduate Admissions Office website. If your question is still not answered, contact us.
About ILR
What is the study of Industrial and Labor Relations?
The School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) will provide you with a strong, liberal arts-based education built on a foundation of study in economics, sociology, psychology, history, law, and statistics. From there, you'll develop your special interests in management, law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, employee relations, labor unions, labor economics, public policy, organizational behavior, and international labor issues or other related fields. ILR—the only undergraduate school of its kind in the U.S.—offers a friendly, people-oriented environment along with all the advantages of a world-class university. You will study and work alongside faculty members who are respected throughout the world and whose focus is undergraduate education.
How do I find ILR on campus?
ILR is centrally located on a quadrangle surrounded by Tower Road, Garden Avenue, Campus Road, and East Avenue. Look for the Statler Hotel on campus; ILR is right next door. See the Cornell campus map.
What sorts of things do ILR students do after they graduate?
ILR prepares you for a career in business, law, labor unions, public policy, political activism and-as you can see from what our alumni are up to-many other fields.
Learn more about ILR's graduates.
About Student Life
What student organizations do ILR and Cornell have?
See ILR Student Life for a list of all 750 Cornell student organizations see the Student Activities Office.
Will I live with other ILR students?
Residence halls are not assigned by college, so you will have an opportunity to meet students from all the undergraduate colleges at Cornell.
What's the weather like in Ithaca?
Cornell University is located in New York State's lush Finger Lakes region, overlooking the southern end of Cayuga Lake. It has a four-season climate. Learn more about Ithaca.
About Admission
What kinds of students does ILR look for?
ILR looks for bright students with organizational and leadership skills as well as a strong interest in the fields associated with Industrial and Labor Relations. Acceptance is based on composite GPA, class rank, SAT I and II or ACT scores, an interest essay, references, and leadership as evidenced in extracurricular activities, work, sports, or community activity.
Should I consider early decision if ILR is my first choice?
We recommend early decision if ILR is your first choice. Early decision is a binding commitment and requires you to withdraw your applications to other institutions. See early decision.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you may apply under the early-decision plan if Cornell is your first choice and you will not be applying for financial aid (financial-aid awards for international students are not made until April).
Can I apply to more than one college at Cornell?
Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants will have the option of designating a primary and alternate choice college. See the Primary Alternate College Admission FAQ for more information.
What if I applied to a college at Cornell and I now want to change my application to a different college at Cornell?
If you have designated a primary choice college only, you can change your college choice on the application by sending a letter requesting the change to the Director of Admissions, Cornell University, 410 Thurston Avenue, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850-2488. However, if you are a primary/alternate applicant, your primary/alternate choice designations can not be changed once your application is submitted.
What are the SAT requirements for admission?
Successful candidates usually have SAT scores between 1800 and 2400 and strong academic performance in high school. Most but not all rank in the top 10% of their class.
About Classes
What will I study at ILR?
At the School of Industrial and Labor Relations you will build a solid background in the liberal arts and social sciences with required core courses such as economics, history of labor, and organizational behavior. Then you'll develop your special interests in law, business, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, statistics, human resource management, labor unions, labor economics, public policy, and international labor issues. You will choose electives not only from ILR but from any of 4,000 courses in Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges.
Learn more about ILR's academic program.
Can I take other classes at Cornell outside of ILR?
At ILR you will have 26 elective credits. These may be taken anywhere in the University. Some of your upper-division ILR credits, if approved, may also be taken in other colleges at the University. Many are already pre-approved. Some of the core ILR requirements are taught in the College of Arts and Sciences.
What are ILR faculty interests?
Read more about the faculty in the ILR Faculty Directory.
What undergraduate research opportunities does ILR provide?
See ILR Special Programs and see the Office of Student Services Undergraduate Research Initiative.
Do professors or teaching assistants teach the classes?
Professors teach classes and teaching assistants work regularly in conjunction with the faculty members to assist students in small discussion groups. Faculty at Cornell divide their time between teaching and research. All faculty advise students and hold office hours to meet with students.
Where will my classes be held?
Most ILR classes are held at the ILR School. Many other undergraduate classrooms are in close proximity to the ILR building.
How large are classes?
Class sizes at Cornell are based on sound learning principles. Classes that need to be small are small. The freshman writing seminar will have no more than 17 students. Some lecture classes can be as large as 500 students, such as micro or macroeconomics. In ILR the largest class size is 300. The average class size is 33. Upper division classes are usually smaller.
About Multicultural Students
Who do I contact for more information about minority opportunities?
Brittanian Gamble is ILR's Office of Student Services Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs. Her telephone number is (607) 255-1515 and her email address is bkg27@cornell.edu.
About Special Needs
Who do I contact for more information about students with disabilities?
Contact CU Disability Services.
