Hero
The Cornell Tradition
The Cornell Tradition
The Cornell Tradition is one of three student recognition and reward programs that make up The Cornell Commitment. Together, The Cornell Commitment empowers students to impact the world.
Program Information
The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) organizes volunteers and logistics for the events they choose; these events can be past SAC-sponsored events or new service projects they are interested in. Each SAC-er is responsible for coordinating one service event per semester. Through their work with the SAC, members are able to meet a portion of their campus service requirement for their Tradition fellowships.
The Cornell Tradition is an alumni supported program that recognizes and rewards outstanding undergraduates. Tradition Fellows are members of a select group, representing less than four percent of the undergraduate population from all colleges and schools at Cornell. The program supports up to 500 students who demonstrate significant work experience, a commitment to service, and academic achievement. Through The Cornell Tradition, students can make meaningful contributions to campus, Ithaca, and communities all over the world.
yourself in the service of others.” ~Gandhi
Program Benefits
Service Support Account
Cornell Tradition Fellows have access to up to $3,500 over their undergraduate Cornell career to cover the cost of service-related activities, such as Pre-Orientation Service Trips, Alternative Breaks trips, service-learning trips, and other educational experiential activities including summer internships approved by the program.
Frank H.T. Rhodes Cornell Tradition Endowment
Rhodes funding is available to Fellows to use for international service experiences over winter and summer breaks and is in addition to the Service Support Account. Students can apply multiple times and be granted up to $5,000 each time.
Fellowship Awards
Tradition Fellows with demonstrated financial need will receive up to a $4,000/year fellowship which increases total grant aid and reduces self-help aid such as loans or work. Fellowships are often funded by Tradition alumni whose experience with the program impacted them so significantly that they endowed fellowships to ensure that future Fellows have similar opportunities.
Employment Support
Fellows are eligible for a wage subsidy during the academic year to help them find or keep a position either on-campus or through Cornell-affiliated off-campus programs. Fellows who receive work-study monies can receive the Tradition wage subsidy once their work-study funds are depleted. Fellows who do not receive work-study monies can receive the subsidy as soon as they secure work. Tradition wage subsidies are available to Fellows throughout their time at Cornell and are not limited to one position.
CCO Empowerment Funds
Students have access to additional funding to off-set costs associated with participation in an activity that may be outside their specific program expectation but aligns with The Cornell Commitment’s values of service, leadership, and research.
Explore CT
Explore CT is a first-year extended orientation program designed to acquaint new Tradition Fellows with other Fellows; the Tradition program benefits, requirements, and ideals; and Cornell University. Participation in Explore CT events is required for first-year students and includes teambuilding, program orientation, a large-scale community outreach project, a spring semester dinner, and networking, service, and social activities with other Fellows. If a freshman Fellow successfully completes the Explore CT activities, their program requirements are cut in half for the first year.
The Cornell Commitment Showcase
This annual event brings together freshmen from the research, service, and leadership programs that make up The Cornell Commitment to learn from upperclass students who have engaged in program-supported summer experiences at Cornell and around the world.
Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
Fellows can apply to be members of the SAC annually. The SAC works with the Tradition’s director to sponsor service as well as social and educational opportunities for Fellows. SAC members also advise the Tradition staff on areas of interest to Fellows and serve as ambassadors of the Tradition program.
Connect with a Community of Leaders
Relationships Fellows develop with one another and with the Fellows who came before them add richness to the Tradition experience. Social media, networking, visits from alumni, and special events promote connections between students and alumni who have lived the Cornell experience and have applied it to the world beyond.
Remaining a Tradition Fellow
In order to remain in the program, students must meet these basic minimum program requirements:
- Complete at least 250 combined hours of paid work and service during the academic year
Within those 250 hours, students must meet the following distribution requirements:
- At least 100 hours of paid work
- Maintain at least a 2.3 cumulative grade point average
- Participate in Explore CT as first-year students
- Reapply to the program each year
Fellows are strongly encouraged to complete the Cornell financial aid application. Individuals having any difficulty meeting the Tradition requirements should make an appointment to meet with the program’s director.
**The Cornell Tradition is generously supported by the Frank H. T. Rhodes Fund, established by The Atlantic Philanthropies in honor of President Emeritus Rhodes’s formative role in the program’s conception and founding.
Student Stories
Sophia S.
Not only was I drawn to the experience because of the traveling aspect, but getting to explore what a future in healthcare meant while aiding underserved communities wasn’t something I could pass up.
Deborah O.
Seeing the joy that simple acts of service and genuine interaction brough highlighted the level of need in Bolivia and encouraged me to reflect on how I can more intentionally serve my community.
Carson C.
I knew that the work and connection I would make here would last a lifetime.