Students arrive for 2025–26 academic year 

Cornell College faculty and staff are thrilled to welcome our new and returning students to campus for another great academic year. 

New students will be moving to campus with exciting talents and interests. Within the new class, there’s a student who:

  • •Plays in an Irish band.
  • •Participates as a member of a mountain bike team.
  • •Spends time rebuilding a 1977 Ford.
  • •Cleaned up a local green space to allow kids to access a fishing pond.
  • •Co-founded a cafe for underprivileged children and homeless individuals.
  • •Co-founded an organization to bring awareness to Latinx rights and culture.
  • •Received blue ribbons for pottery at the Iowa State Fair.
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Welcome to the Ramily!

To help our new students have the best experience during the first year, Cornell offers a wide variety of programs, services, and events during New Student Orientation (NSO). It’s a tradition for athletes who are already on campus to help first-year students move into their residence halls, which makes moving a quick and easy process. New students will be assigned to a group called a Flock, and each Flock has a Flock Leader. Flock Leaders are current students trained to support and guide new students to help make the transition to Cornell successful.

Each One Teach One & International Student Orientation

The Office of Intercultural Life welcomes students for International Student Orientation and Each One Teach One programs the week before NSO. 

Returning students

The residence halls open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23. Check-in for returning students will run from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on both Saturday, Aug. 23, and Sunday, Aug. 24. 

Following the orientation programs and move-in, all students will start their Block 1 classes on Aug. 25. Course schedules are ready for students on our website.

The Mail and Service Center is open additional hours during move-in weekend to help students collect packages as they get settled into their rooms. 

  • •Saturday, Aug. 23: Noon–2 p.m.
  • •Sunday, Aug. 24: 4–6 p.m.