Frequently Asked Questions
About ILR
What will I study at ILR?
The ILR School will provide you with a strong theoretical and practical foundation with core courses in law, management, economics, psychology, statistics, and history. You can then choose electives from all seven undergraduate schools at Cornell based on your specific interests, such as business, law, psychology, conflict resolution, social and political history, or public policy.
You will study these areas from a historical and modern-day, as well as a domestic and international perspective, and learn how individuals and organizations deal with the full range of "people" issues that affect the economy, businesses, society, and international affairs. The field of Industrial and Labor Relations explores these topics through the study of organizations and the workplace. ILR is unique because it's the only school in the United States devoted exclusively to this field at the undergraduate level.
Learn more about the ILR curriculum.
What do ILR students do after they graduate?
Cornell's Bachelor of Science in ILR degree is highly valued by a wide range of corporations, law firms, government agencies, research and advocacy organizations, and graduate schools. By combining our required courses with electives from throughout Cornell, ILR students have the ability to tailor their schedule to prepare for a variety of careers and advanced degree programs, from management, consulting and finance, to law, social justice, public policy and non-profit work.
Learn more about the organizations where our students work, and the law and other graduate schools they attend.
Do I select a major at ILR? Can students select minors?
There is only one major at ILR. All ILR students receive Cornell's Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations.
While many students simply pursue their specific interests by selecting appropriate elective courses from ILR and throughout Cornell, some may choose to pursue formal minors. The minors that are popular among ILR students include Economics, International Relations, Law and Society, and Inequality Studies.
Will I also be able to take classes at the other undergraduate colleges at Cornell?
Yes! ILR students combine our required courses with classes from among the 4,000 electives available throughout Cornell.
About Student Life
What student organizations does ILR and Cornell have?
Whether it is with ILR's Global Affairs club and Student Government, or University-wide Mock Trial, Entrepreneurship, or other dance, sports, or political organizations, ILR students are often active throughout campus.
See our Student Life page for a list of ILR's organizations. You may also want to look at the complete list of the over 800 student organizations available throughout Cornell.
Will I live with other ILR students?
Residence halls are not assigned by college, so you will have an opportunity to live with students from all the undergraduate colleges at Cornell.
About Classes
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 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, such as business, law, history, economics, and psychology. Acceptance is based on composite GPA, class rank, SAT I and II or ACT scores, the Common Application and Cornell Supplement essays, references, and leadership as evidenced by extracurricular activities, work, sports, or community activities.
Should I consider applying 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.
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 a strong record of academic success in high school. It's important to remember that standardized tests are only one part of an application, and all decisions are based on a full review of standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, references, your overall academic record, and essays.
About Special Needs
Who do I contact for more information about students with disabilities?
Contact CU Disability Services.