First-Year Orientation

Welcome to Duffield Engineering Orientation! Explore the Fall 2026 first-year student orientation schedule details on this page.
Page Contents

Please Note: Students participating in the Global Start Cantabria (GSC) cohort for Fall 2026 will not participate in the Cornell campus Orientation events. They will have their own onboarding and Orientation events in Spain.

Monday, August 17, 2026

  • No Duffield Engineering Programming

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

  • Student Welcome Activities and Resource Fair

    (For students, parents, and families)

    Time: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
    Location: Duffield Hall Atrium

    Incoming Engineering students and their families are invited to visit resource tables from various Engineering Student Services and Undergraduate Program offices, such as Advising, the Office of Inclusive Excellence, Leadership, Career Services, and Project Teams.

    Meet faculty, staff, and fellow students from Duffield Engineering and engage in fun community building activities with other incoming engineers.  Families welcome before the Family Briefing.

  • Family Briefing

    (For parents and families – we kindly ask that students attend the Student Welcome Activities and Resource Fair during this time)

    Time: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Location: Statler Auditorium

    Join the Dean of Duffield Engineering, the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, the Associate Dean of Student Services, and Duffield Engineering panelists to learn about the college’s undergraduate programs and student support resources.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

  • First-Year Student Advising Briefings

    Hear from Engineering Advising regarding the academic advising services in Duffield Engineering (faculty advisors, professional staff academic advisors, and student peer advisors), the first-year student Engineering Seminar (ENGRG 1050), academic support resources, and academic policies.

Times and Locations: Students must attend this event at their assigned time and location as per the first letter of their last name.

Advising CohortMeeting TimeBuilding Location
Last Names A – D1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.Olin Hall, Room 155
Last Names E – K1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.Olin Hall, Room 255
Last Names L – R3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.Olin Hall, Room 155
Last Names S – Z3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.Olin Hall, Room 255
Advising briefings schedule by last name.

Thursday, August 20, 2026

  • In-person Drop-In Hours with Engineering Advising

    Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
    Location: Rhodes Hall, Room 180

    Optional – drop-in for quick, 5-10 minute questions regarding your fall class schedule.

  • Engineering MATH CASE

    MATH 1910 – Calculus for Engineers and/or MATH 1920 – Multivariable Calculus for Engineers

    Time: 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
    Location: Olin Hall, Room 155

    This is an optional advanced standing exam for Engineering students who are seeking to earn credit for MATH 1910: Calculus for Engineers and/or MATH 1920: Multivariable Calculus for Engineers. No calculators allowed. Highly encouraged for students with a score of “4” on the AP Calculus BC exam.

    Students should register for one or both exams. More information to come!

Friday, August 21, 2026

  • In-person Drop-In Hours with Engineering Advising

    Time: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
    Location: Rhodes Hall, Room 180

    Optional – drop-in for quick, 5-10 minute questions regarding your fall class schedule.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

  • Virtual Drop-In Hours with Engineering Advising

    Time: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: Virtual via Zoom: More information to come!

    Drop-in Hours are short, one-on-one conversations with an advisor and are intended for students with quick questions.  Drop-In Hours are first-come, first-served, and you are not required to attend. Not every student will feel the need to attend.

    We will have two Zoom rooms (with waiting rooms enabled) staffed by Professional Academic Advisors from Engineering Advising. You are welcome to join either room, and you will stay in the waiting room until it is your turn to meet with an advisor.

Monday, August 24, 2026

First day of classes!

  • In-person Drop-In Hours with Engineering Advising

    Time: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: Rhodes Hall, Room 180

    Optional – for quick, 5-10 minute questions regarding your fall class schedule.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

  • In-person Drop-In Hours with Engineering Advising

    Time: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: Rhodes Hall, Room 180

    Optional – for quick, 5-10 minute questions regarding your fall class schedule.