Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST)

Exploring and engaging the local community through service projects while transitioning to college

This Opportunity At a Glance

Available to

Incoming/transfer students

Program dates

Aug. 15–19, 2025

Cost for the program

$425 per person, including a non-refundable $50 deposit. The fee covers meals, transportation during the program, project and safety supplies, housing, official evening activities and staffing costs.

Registration form due

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Contact email

POST@cornell.edu

Program Details

POST offers a unique opportunity for incoming students to explore and engage with the Ithaca and Tompkins County communities while transitioning to college life at Cornell. The program includes daily community-service projects, learning about pressing community issues and participation in fun group evening events.

POST is led by students who will play a pivotal role in your transition to Cornell while creating a fun and memorable experience.

Who Participates in POST?

Participants come from across the country, typically representing 20 to 25 states. While most attendees are incoming first-year students, we also welcome a few transfer students. Additionally, participants come from all undergraduate colleges.

What will we be doing for the week?

POST participants and their leaders complete local community service projects which typically include painting and light demolition work, trail maintenance, visiting with local seniors at area nursing homes, gardening, preparing local schools for fall opening and other projects. Projects vary from year to year, depending on the needs of our community. Each evening, the entire group comes together to have dinner and participate in evening activities for participants and leaders to get to know each other, as well as the greater Ithaca area.

Logistical details

What is a typical daily schedule?

7:45 – 9:15: Breakfast/shower/travel to the service site (walk, bus or van)
9:30: Arrive at designated work sites
9:30 – 12:30: Community service project work
12:30 – 1:15: Lunch break
1:15 – 3:00: Continue community service project work
3:00 – 5:00: Return to housing site/free time
6:00 – 7:00: Dinner
7:30 – 9:30: Evening activity (e.g., scavenger hunt, bowling, etc.)
9:45: Return to housing site. Relax and rest up for the next day

Meals

The program provides all meals with the exception of one dinner out. We suggest that participants plan to spend $25 to cover this meal.

The first meal together will be a late lunch on the first day of the program (Aug. 15). Participants should eat before arriving for morning check-in.

Please include any dietary needs or restrictions on your registration form. This information is required weeks in advance to ensure proper accommodations with caterers and vendors.

Housing

POST Participants will be living together at an Ithaca City School District school building. You are expected to arrive on Friday with a separate bag packed with the items you will need for the POST program. You will not have access to your room between Friday and Tuesday. Please refer to the “What Should I Pack” section for details on what you’ll need during the program.

New Student Move in has been scheduled for Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19. You will receive further details regarding early arrival for students participating in POST.

POST is a fully immersive program that includes service trips, team building, and evening activities. Participants are expected to stay with their group for the entire program. Students who choose to leave the program will not be permitted to return. There is not time in the schedule for personal errands.

For more information about shipping items to campus, visit Cornell Housing.

Travel / Arrival

What to bring with you to POST

Required Items

POST provides food and lodging only and does NOT provide the items listed below Pack these items separately from any belongings being brought for the academic year.

Do not pack more for POST than can be comfortably carried.

*NOTE: Ithaca weather can be unpredictable, and outdoor projects will occur rain or shine. Pack for all weather conditions (i.e. rain gear, sunscreen, etc.)

Photo ID
Sleeping bag and/or sheet/blanket
Pillow
Water bottle
Towel/washcloth
Health and beauty items (e.g., soap, shampoo, deodorant, razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, blow dryer)
Any medications you normally take (i.e. allergy) and any emergency medications
Nightclothes
Flip flops for shower facility
Work clothes/outfits that can get dirty (to last for 4 days)
Comfortable sneakers or work boots (these too will get dirty)
Casual clothes for evening activities — pants and shorts (in addition to work clothes)
Casual shoes (apart from sneakers and work boots)
Light jacket or sweatshirt
Dressier clothes for College Dinner with faculty, senior administration and other guests
Rain gear/poncho/raincoat/umbrella
Spending money (for eating out on free night, etc.; we recommend a minimum of $25)
Sunblock (you will most likely be outside most days)

Optional Items

Additional details

What does the cost of POST cover?

The participation fee for POST is $425 per person, which includes a non-refundable $50 deposit. This fee covers meals for the week, transportation, project and safety supplies, housing, planned evening activities, and staffing costs.

Cancellations received after Friday, July 18, 2025 will be charged the full $425, as we will have already committed to catering, transportation, and other financial agreements based on your attendance.

In addition to the program fee, participants and leaders will have one dinner in the community, and participants are expected to pay for the cost of their meal. We recommend that you plan to spend $25.

Is financial assistance available?

We want to ensure that the program cost does not prevent anyone from attending. Financial assistance is available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. To request assistance, please check the appropriate box on the Registration Form. If we need additional information, we will contact you.

Financial support for participants is provided through POST and the Einhorn Center. This assistance is separate from any financial aid you receive from Cornell and does not affect your financial aid package.

I wasn’t involved in community service in high school. Should I apply?

When will I know if I am admitted?

Once we have received your Registration Forms, applicants will receive an email within 3-5 business days from post@cornell.edu regarding their status (admitted or waitlisted). POST communicates with applicants through their Cornell NetID email (e.g., ABC123@cornell.edu). Please check your Cornell email regularly for POST communications. If you have registered but have not received a confirmation email, contact us for assistance.

Can I participate in more than one pre-orientation program?

Do I send the money now?

When will I receive more information (itinerary, when/where to arrive, move-in day information, etc.)?

What if I am bringing a car to campus this fall and need to park it during POST?

Students are strongly encouraged to leave their vehicle at home, and rely on the excellent public transit service provided by TCAT. For information about student parking permits visit the Cornell Facilities and Campus Services website.

Team Leaders