About The Milstein Program

The Milstein Program is an undergraduate enrichment program in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students in the Milstein Program select a major among those offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, but will also have access to a specialized curriculum on the intersection of technology and the humanities, access to speakers, mentors and summer internship opportunities. Milstein Scholars have the unique experience of building community with their small cohort (of 25 students per year) while attending Milstein classes and events and hanging out in the Milstein Lounge on the first floor of Rockefeller.

As a student in the Milstein Program, you understand that you’ll need a diverse set of skills to tackle today’s most challenging issues. You might love studying philosophy, capital markets or Chinese, but you’re also fascinated with technology and data and can see the intersections between all of your interests. You are curious about the world, willing to take risks in your academic exploration and show leadership and a breadth of activities.

• Twenty-five students in each class in the College of Arts & Sciences will be accepted into the Milstein Program: the majority at the time of application to the freshman class and balance during the freshman year. Students in the Milstein Program meet regularly for talks, workshops, and events.
• Milstein students choose amongst 40 majors in the College and pursue a broad and rigorous course of study in the liberal arts and sciences. Milstein Program students participate in workshops, project meetings and other special events during the academic year in Ithaca. They also have priority enrollment for other Milstein Program Faculty Fellow courses. New Milstein Program courses are developed each year.

There are two points of entry into the Milstein Program – as high school seniors when applying to Cornell and current students in the during their first year. We welcome students from all A&S majors. Approximately one third of the Milstein cohort are from Computer Science and Information Science; the other half come broadly from the Humanities. 

Apply to the Program 

Questions? Email: milsteinprogram@cornell.edu

• A small cohort experience within the College, which fosters team building, collaborative learning and lifelong relationships
• Milstein Program courses designed especially for Milstein Program students
• Student projects designed and developed by Milstein Program students
• Mentoring from Milstein Program faculty fellows and faculty directors at the Ithaca and NYC campuses
• Workshops and activities at Cornell Tech designed especially for Milstein Program students and lodging at The House on Roosevelt Island
• Access to ground-breaking speakers and ideas through a campus speaker series
• Special activities and events for Milstein students, including a student-run mentorship program
• Engaged learning opportunities in Ithaca and NYC 
• Opportunities for research, internships and study abroad
• Access to special equipment and software for project work including audio, video, podcasting and virtual reality equipment and software

• Special events and activities for Milstein Program students, from BBQs and a ropes course to sessions on intergroup collaboration and public speaking

How can I find out what current Milstein students are doing?

There are plenty of places where you can see Milstein students and what they're doing on and off campus. You can visit any of our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), check out our events, or take a look at our student projects! 

What kind of students are you looking for? 

We are looking for dedicated students who have excelled in a variety of subjects, have a passion for cross-disciplinary education, and who show leadership and a breadth of activities. 

What are the benefits of the program? 

Students will choose from among the 40 majors offered in the College of Arts & Sciences but they will also receive access to a special computer science and technology curriculum while in Ithaca. One summer will be spent at the Cornell Tech campus in New York City, learning from leaders in the technology, industry and design spaces. A second summer is optional. 

Will I take special classes only for Milstein students? 

Yes, Milstein Program scholars participate in Milstein courses and workshops, including the First-year Project, the Junior Project Year, and MStudio, all connecting them to emerging fields and community-engaged projects. 

Where will I live during the summer at Cornell Tech? 

Milstein students will live together in The House at Cornell Tech, a dormitory on Roosevelt Island and the tallest and largest Passive House residential building in the world.

Can I do another job or internship while participating in the summer program? 

The summer program is a residential program in NYC and is designed to be an immersive, full-time program. As such, you will not have time to take on an additional full time job or internship while the summer program is in session. 

Do I have to participate in the summer program? 

As a Milstein student you are not required to participate in the summer program.