Fall 2021 Semester
Frequently Asked Questions
When is orientation? Will it be in-person or virtual?
Masters student orientation will be Monday, August 23, 2021 to Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The PhD orientation will be in early September.
When do housing applications open?
Applications for housing are being accepted as of March 15, 2021. See the Apply for Housing page for more information. Be sure to review the Housing FAQ page as well.
When do classes start?
Cornell Tech follows the university academic calendar. Classes will start on Thursday, August 26, 2021.
Which COVID-19 vaccines meet the university immunization requirement for students coming to campus from outside the United States?
On May 18, 2021, Cornell announced the decision to accept all vaccines approved by these organizations: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medical Association (EMA), and World Health Organization (WHO). View a list of vaccines and their timeline for approval; watch the list for updates. As of May 18, the vaccines approved are the Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm vaccines.
As soon as you are vaccinated, you should upload your information in the Cornell Tech student Vaccine Submission Form. The vaccination requirement goes into effect at the beginning of the fall term.
What if I submit a vaccine that is not approved by New York State?
It is important to note that although Cornell is accepting vaccines approved by the FDA, EMA, and WHO, New York State only accepts FDA-approved vaccines. At this time, the list of vaccines recognized by New York State does not include the AstraZeneca or Sinopharm vaccines. This means that activities overseen by the Department of Health—such as contact tracing in the event of a positive case—will treat anyone not fully vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine as unvaccinated. During contact tracing, individuals exposed to COVID who are not vaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine will be required to quarantine.
Can I get revaccinated if I already received a vaccine that is not FDA-approved?
Students returning to campus who have received a vaccine not approved by the U.S. FDA are eligible to be revaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine. We encourage you to consider revaccination, as this will satisfy all New York State vaccine requirements.
Do I need to quarantine if I am unvaccinated?
According to the CDC, currently, unvaccinated travelers arriving from international destinations are asked to consider non-mandated self-quarantine; you may “test out” after seven days or quarantine for a full 10 days. International students should come early enough to accommodate the non-mandated quarantine period, but no extra time is needed for students who need to receive an approved vaccine.
See the CDC’s guidance for international travel during COVID-19. Please monitor this website for up-to-date information on Cornell Tech’s vaccine, travel, testing, and quarantine policies.
What if I can’t get vaccinated before arrival?
You will be expected to be vaccinated as soon after your arrival as possible with a vaccine recognized by New York State. Please monitor this website for up-to-date information on Cornell Tech’s vaccine, travel, testing, and quarantine policies. Consequences of not being vaccinated by August 16, 2021 can be found on Cornell Health’s website.
Where can Cornell Tech students get vaccinated if they are unable to get vaccinated before arrival?
Students can schedule a vaccine appointment with Weill Primary Care by emailing pcappt@med.cornell.edu.
When should I arrive on campus?
We recommend that students who require vaccination in the United States arrive on, or as close as possible, to August 1, 2021. This will allow you time to receive a vaccine and complete the waiting period for full vaccine effect prior to Orientation and the start of classes.
All students who will be living on campus and have a signed housing license agreement for The House at Cornell Tech are eligible to move in on or after August 1. Students living off-campus should plan to arrive in time for Orientation on August 23, 2021.