Graduating Early or Late
Under usual circumstances, ILR undergraduates can complete requirements for the B.S. ILR degree in eight semesters. On occasion, students have reason to attempt completion of degree requirements in less than eight terms or to remain as an undergraduate for longer than eight terms. (Some programs at Cornell require or permit registration for ten semesters, but eight terms is the norm).
Accelerating your program
If you wish to accelerate your program, and graduate a semester early, you will be expected to state that intention in a petition to the Faculty Committee on Academic Standards and Scholarships, at the latest, in the semester before the one in which you complete the courses and credits necessary for the degree. The Committee will want to know how you plan to finish the requirements and the strategies that you plan to use to finish early.
Extending your program
If you wish to extend your program and remain in the School for a term after you have completed the courses and credits necessary for the degree, you will be expected to petition the Committee on Academic Standards and Scholarships, in the semester prior to the term in which you finish the stated requirements, for permission to remain for an additional term. They will want to know your reasons for requesting a ninth semester, the courses for which you will register, and what you hope to accomplish by remaining. Requesting an additional semester in order to improve your cumulative grade point average is not likely to win approval.
Credit limits
Limits on endowed college credits and the appropriateness of your plans to the ILR field and curriculum will be considered by the Committee.
Costs and financial aid considerations
The cost and financial aid implications of extending undergraduate registration should be discussed and clarified with the University Financial Aid Office before those plans are made final and submitted for ILR committee review.