All dorm rooms come furnished with the following for each student

  • A bed
  • A desk and desk chair
  • A bureau
  • A pillow, blankets, and bed linens (sheets and a pillowcase)
  • A lamp

What to bring

  • Computer and charger
  • Writing supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, etc.)
  • Backpack
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Cell phone and charger
  • ATM card or cash for books, printer services, snacks, and entertainment
  • Clothes for a variety of weather conditions, including a swimsuit, rain gear, an umbrella, and a sweatshirt
  • Sneakers (there will be a lot of walking)
  • One business casual outfit, for one of the summer precollege special events and class presentations
  • Clothes hangers
  • Laundry basket and laundry soap
  • Towels
  • Toiletries and a basket to carry these items into the bathroom
  • A set of extra-long twin sheets (also known as dorm-size sheets) if you want to change your bed linens more than once a week.
  • Extra pillow, a comforter, and/or a bed pad if desired
  • Extra lamp
  • Power strips
  • Athletic equipment, musical instrument, camera, etc. (optional)

Dorms will have air-controlled spaces, and do not come with microfidges. You can rent a fan and/or a microfridge, we encourage you to submit a refrigerator and/or fan order before arriving on Cornell's campus. You can also rent these items on Opening Day.

Please do not bring any of these items

  • An air conditioner (you won't be able to install or use it)
  • Pets of any kind (only service animals are allowed)
  • Automobile, motorcycle, scooter, hoverboard, or motorbike, none of which you are permitted to have on campus.

Laundry

All students will be provided with bed linens (1 set of sheets and a pillow case). You’ll exchange your dirty sheets for clean ones at the weekly linen exchange. Laundering of non-bed linens is your responsibility. You'll find washers and dryers in the residence halls.

Learn about laundry services and the CSC mobile app

How much spending money should I have?

Your program fee includes your three main meals and planned activities. We also suggest that students bring extra spending money for books, supplies, snacks or drinks outside of meals, personal expenses during activities, and Cornell/Ithaca merchandise. This way, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable experience!

  • Three-week students will probably need about $100 to $150 for books and supplies.
  • Six-week students will probably need about $150 to $200—unless you're taking an art or architecture course, in which case supplies will be more expensive. Six-week students may choose to open a savings account in an on-campus bank branch.

You might want to ask your local bank for advice on how to keep your money safe on campus. Campus banks don't cash traveler's checks, money orders, or personal checks. However, you can use traveler's checks or bank debit cards to buy items from stores. Please note that most stores and cafes on campus no longer accept cash.

Receiving packages

Please do not send mail or packages to the Precollege Academic Advising office at B20 Day Hall.

Please address mail to students in the Precollege Summer Residential Program, using the following information:

[Student's first and last name, plus student ID number]
[Student's room number*], Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall
Precollege Summer Program Student
107 Robert Purcell
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853

*You'll get your room number when you arrive on campus; mail addressed with a room number will arrive more quickly.

Tips

  • If you plan to mail packages to campus before you get to Cornell, try to time the arrival of the packages with your own arrival to avoid confusion.