More questions?
Refer to the FAQs page.
Incoming/transfer students
Aug. 11-15, 2023
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 University. The program includes daily community-service projects, learning about pressing community issues and participation in fun group evening events.
POST is led by student leaders who play a pivotal role in your transition to Cornell University while creating a fun and memorable experience. Previous service projects have included: painting and light demolition work, trail maintenance, visiting with residents at area nursing homes, working in local community gardens and local schools.
The 2023 POST program will run from the afternoon on Friday, August 11 to the morning of Tuesday, August 15.
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 University. The program includes daily community-service projects, learning about pressing community issues and participation in fun group evening events.
POST is led by student leaders who play a pivotal role in your transition to Cornell University while creating a fun and memorable experience. Previous service projects have included: painting and light demolition work, trail maintenance, visiting with residents at area nursing homes, working in local community gardens and local schools.
The 2023 POST program will run from the afternoon on Friday, August 11 to the morning of Tuesday, August 15.
Students who arrive on campus without having met their New Student Health Requirements will have a temporary hold placed on their registration status (students will be able to access campus housing and enroll in / attend classes, but will not be able to access some other campus facilities). In order to have your registration hold lifted – and to avoid penalties and late fees – you must contact Cornell Health’s Requirements staff as soon as you arrive on campus (call 607-255-4364) and/or attend a Requirements Clinic at Cornell Health. Refer to Cornell Health’s website for details.
Students who arrive on campus without having met their New Student Health Requirements will have a temporary hold placed on their registration status (students will be able to access campus housing and enroll in / attend classes, but will not be able to access some other campus facilities). In order to have your registration hold lifted – and to avoid penalties and late fees – you must contact Cornell Health’s Requirements staff as soon as you arrive on campus (call 607-255-4364) and/or attend a Requirements Clinic at Cornell Health. Refer to Cornell Health’s website for details.
The cost to participate in POST is $390 per person (billed to your Cornell University bursar account). This fee covers meals, transportation, project and safety supplies, housing, and evening activities. Financial scholarships are available.
POST enables Cornell Tradition and Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar (MFCNS) with the opportunity to earn service hours. The POST program fee will come directly out of your student service or leadership support account.
The cost to participate in POST is $390 per person (billed to your Cornell University bursar account). This fee covers meals, transportation, project and safety supplies, housing, and evening activities. Financial scholarships are available.
POST enables Cornell Tradition and Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar (MFCNS) with the opportunity to earn service hours. The POST program fee will come directly out of your student service or leadership support account.
POST has a long-standing relationship with the local school district allowing students to be housed at a local middle school.
POST has a long-standing relationship with the local school district allowing students to be housed at a local middle school.
The 2023 POST program will run from the afternoon on Friday, August 11 to the morning of Tuesday, August 15.
Please include any specific dietary needs or restrictions on your registration form so that we can plan in advance for these with caterers and other vendors.
POST provides all meals once the program begins with the exception of one dinner out. We suggest that folks to bring $15-20 with them to cover this meal.
POST participants will be housed at a local middle school. Participants are limited in the amount that they can bring to POST and are encouraged to pack just what you need for a few days of work and fun. There will be an opportunity for you to store your things during POST or there is always the option to ship things ahead and pick them up after the program
For more information about shipping items to campus, visit Cornell Housing.
All participants will receive detailed check-in instructions prior to the start of POST.
Transportation Options:
Ithaca bound from out town:
OurBus
Greyhound
Shortline/Coach USA
Refer to the FAQs page.
POST provides food and lodging only and will NOT provide the items listed below.
Pack these items separately from any belongings you are bringing for the academic year.
Do not pack more for POST than you can comfortably carry by yourself.
*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.)
The POST 2023 registration will open on Friday, April 14.
If you are interested in receiving updates to the program and communication about upcoming deadlines, you are encouraged to fill out this Interest form and follow us on Instagram!
POST provides you with the opportunity to get to know upperclassmen and to become familiar with the Ithaca community you will soon call home.
POST provides you with the opportunity to get to know upperclassmen and to become familiar with the Ithaca community you will soon call home.
The program is hosted by the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.
The program is hosted by the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.
All inquiries should be directed to post@cornell.edu. If we cannot resolve questions via email we will make arrangements to call you.
All inquiries should be directed to post@cornell.edu. If we cannot resolve questions via email we will make arrangements to call you.
All program participants are required to meet Cornell’s vaccination policy. No exceptions will be made due to the nature of the program and its interactions with community members. For questions specific to vaccines visit the vaccination section of the Cornell Covid website.
All program participants are required to meet Cornell’s vaccination policy. No exceptions will be made due to the nature of the program and its interactions with community members. For questions specific to vaccines visit the vaccination section of the Cornell Covid website.
POST participants and their leaders complete community service projects in the local community. Projects 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 that allow you to get to know other team members and leaders, as well as the greater Ithaca area.
POST participants and their leaders complete community service projects in the local community. Projects 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 that allow you to get to know other team members and leaders, as well as the greater Ithaca area.
Each year, POST works with approximately 15 different non-profit organizations as well as local school districts.
Each year, POST works with approximately 15 different non-profit organizations as well as local school districts.
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 work
12:30 – 1:15 – Lunch Break
1:15 – 3:00 – Continue community service project
3:00 – 5:00 – Return to housing site/free time
6:00 – 7:00 – Dinner
7:30 – 9:30 – Evening Activity (scavenger hunt, bowling, Bar-B-Q, etc.)
9:45 – Return to housing site. Relax and rest up for the next day
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 work
12:30 – 1:15 – Lunch Break
1:15 – 3:00 – Continue community service project
3:00 – 5:00 – Return to housing site/free time
6:00 – 7:00 – Dinner
7:30 – 9:30 – Evening Activity (scavenger hunt, bowling, Bar-B-Q, etc.)
9:45 – Return to housing site. Relax and rest up for the next day
A maximum of 45 applicants will be accepted before we begin a wait list. In the event that an accepted applicant drops out, we will offer a space to someone on the waiting list. Each applicant is assigned to a team for the week of POST that is led by 2 upperclass team leaders. Each team has 8-9 POST participants. This year there will be a total of five teams.
A maximum of 45 applicants will be accepted before we begin a wait list. In the event that an accepted applicant drops out, we will offer a space to someone on the waiting list. Each applicant is assigned to a team for the week of POST that is led by 2 upperclass team leaders. Each team has 8-9 POST participants. This year there will be a total of five teams.
Participants come from all over the country, typically representing 20-25 states. Mainly incoming first-year students attend but we always have a handful of transfer students as well. And participants represent all 9 colleges.
Participants come from all over the country, typically representing 20-25 states. Mainly incoming first-year students attend but we always have a handful of transfer students as well. And participants represent all 9 colleges.
Yes! Absolutely no experience is required. We encourage everyone interested in meeting new classmates and participating in community service to apply.
Yes! Absolutely no experience is required. We encourage everyone interested in meeting new classmates and participating in community service to apply.
The POST 2023 registration form will open Friday, April 14.
The POST 2023 registration form will open Friday, April 14.
Once we have received your Registration Form, you will receive an email within 3-5 business days from POST regarding your status (admitted or waitlisted). POST communicates with you via your Cornell NetID (e.g. ABC123@cornell.edu). Be certain to check your Cornell email account for POST communications. Contact us if you have registered but have not received a confirmation email.
Once we have received your Registration Form, you will receive an email within 3-5 business days from POST regarding your status (admitted or waitlisted). POST communicates with you via your Cornell NetID (e.g. ABC123@cornell.edu). Be certain to check your Cornell email account for POST communications. Contact us if you have registered but have not received a confirmation email.
No, it is NOT possible to participate in more than one program.
No, it is NOT possible to participate in more than one program.
The cost of participation in POST is $390 per person (includes the $50 non-refundable deposit). This fee covers the costs of food for the week, transportation, project and safety supplies, housing, planned evening activities, and staffing costs. Cancellations received after Thursday, July 27th will be billed the full cost of POST ($390) as we are already locked into catering, transportation and other monetary agreements based on your attendance.
The cost of participation in POST is $390 per person (includes the $50 non-refundable deposit). This fee covers the costs of food for the week, transportation, project and safety supplies, housing, planned evening activities, and staffing costs. Cancellations received after Thursday, July 27th will be billed the full cost of POST ($390) as we are already locked into catering, transportation and other monetary agreements based on your attendance.
We are committed to having a diverse group of entering Cornellians participate in POST and we hope that the cost of the registration will not prevent anyone from joining us. For that reason, financial assistance is available to eligible applicants on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on financial assistance, please check the box indicating this on the Registration Form. If we have questions, we will contact you!
POST enables Cornell Tradition, Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS) and Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (RCPRS) students to attend and have the POST program fee of $390 paid directly out of your program support account. In addition, Cornell Tradition and Meinig Scholars students will have an opportunity to earn service or leadership hours as a participant in the program.
We are committed to having a diverse group of entering Cornellians participate in POST and we hope that the cost of the registration will not prevent anyone from joining us. For that reason, financial assistance is available to eligible applicants on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on financial assistance, please check the box indicating this on the Registration Form. If we have questions, we will contact you!
POST enables Cornell Tradition, Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS) and Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (RCPRS) students to attend and have the POST program fee of $390 paid directly out of your program support account. In addition, Cornell Tradition and Meinig Scholars students will have an opportunity to earn service or leadership hours as a participant in the program.
Financial support for participants comes from the POST program itself.
Financial support for participants comes from the POST program itself.
Teams will have one evening dinner in the community and participants are expected to cover this cost. We recommend that you bring a minimum of $20.
Teams will have one evening dinner in the community and participants are expected to cover this cost. We recommend that you bring a minimum of $20.
All trip fees, including the non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 will be billed to your university bursar account. Do not send any money.
All trip fees, including the non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 will be billed to your university bursar account. Do not send any money.
We appreciate your patience as POST staff work to finalize program details. Check back frequently for continued updates.
See the “What To Pack” (at the bottom of the Program details page) for a detailed list of items needed for POST and the Program Details section for more information.
We appreciate your patience as POST staff work to finalize program details. Check back frequently for continued updates.
See the “What To Pack” (at the bottom of the Program details page) for a detailed list of items needed for POST and the Program Details section for more information.
For directions/maps to Cornell, click here. Here you will find directions, airport and shuttle information, maps, local accommodations, and more.
Please review the arrival/travel information on the POST Program Details page.
For directions/maps to Cornell, click here. Here you will find directions, airport and shuttle information, maps, local accommodations, and more.
Please review the arrival/travel information on the POST Program Details page.
Vehicle Registration and/or Parking Permits: Parking on the Ithaca campus is extremely limited. Students are strongly encouraged to leave the vehicle home, and rely on the excellent public transit service provided by TCAT. In August, students can register their vehicle (required; free) and purchase a parking permit (optional; price varies) for their residential area or a commuter lot prior to their arrival. When permits sell out, parking options will be limited to short-term paid parking.
Vehicle Registration and/or Parking Permits: Parking on the Ithaca campus is extremely limited. Students are strongly encouraged to leave the vehicle home, and rely on the excellent public transit service provided by TCAT. In August, students can register their vehicle (required; free) and purchase a parking permit (optional; price varies) for their residential area or a commuter lot prior to their arrival. When permits sell out, parking options will be limited to short-term paid parking.
Should an urgent issue or emergency arise during POST, families should call the Einhorn Center at (607) 255-0144. During business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), they will be able to speak directly to a staff member; after hours, audix will give instructions on how to reach POST staff directly. In addition, contact and emergency information will be available on the POST website and distributed at the POST Check-In on Friday, August 11.
Should an urgent issue or emergency arise during POST, families should call the Einhorn Center at (607) 255-0144. During business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), they will be able to speak directly to a staff member; after hours, audix will give instructions on how to reach POST staff directly. In addition, contact and emergency information will be available on the POST website and distributed at the POST Check-In on Friday, August 11.