Application Procedure

Application Instructions (pdf)

Online Application

Introduction Essays Formatting Instructions with Sample (pdf)

The following instructions provide an outline of the Extern application procedures.

1. Read the General Information section and make sure you are participating in the Extern Program for the stated purpose. To learn more about the program, and to address your questions, attend the Extern General Information Meeting,on September 26 or October 1. A tape recording of the session will be available on the kiosk in 103 Barnes Hall.

Students who have submitted or will submit a resume through on-campus recruiting to companies which are also offering an externship should not apply to the company for an externship, whether selected for an interview or not.

The Extern Program is not a job-search service for students who are looking for permanent or summer employment with the organization where the alumnus/a is working.

The Cornell Extern Program is open to fully matriculated sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all colleges.

2. Review the listings on the Web at career.cornell.edu via Quick Links or in notebooks in college career offices or 103 Barnes Hall. The Web listings have the advantage of a search function and are updated as new listings become available. The notebook listings are arranged in broad career field categories and within those categories. Notebooks are not updated. 

3. Select up to four listings in which you have genuine interest. You may be placed in your fourth choice, so make sure it is one that you would enjoy and pursue. Record the listing number and organization name of externships you are interested in for the application. (Some organizations offer more that one externship which may pertain to different career fields.)  

4. Use the following guidelines to identify externships, to determine your eligibility for a particular externship, and to assist in completing the application.

Externships are listed using the following format:

• Listing # (record this number for your application)
• Position/Title
• College/Major/Year
• Company or Organization (of the sponsor)
• City/State
• Date/Duration: Length of externship and specific date (if given)
• Source (optional): Notes a new Sponsor or group which helped generate the externship
• College/Major/Class Requirements
• College/Major/Class Preferences
• Other Requirements or Preferences
  

A further explanation of these categories follows:

COLLEGE/MAJOR/GRADUATION YEAR of alumni sponsor: With a few exceptions, sponsors are Cornell alumni. Consider whether the alum's academic background or level of experience is important to you; for example, you may find it more comfortable to visit someone who has recently entered the workforce rather than the president of an organization.

CITY/STATE: The location of the externship will help you to determine the cost of travel and accommodations before applying for the externship

DATE/DURATION/SPECIFIC DATE (OPTIONAL): The sponsor has pre-determined that this is the length of time for the externship. Do not expect the sponsor to shorten or lengthen the time. If a specific date/day of the week is given, this is the only date(s) when the sponsor is available.

• Source in the listings refers to the groups which helped recruit the alumnus to participate in the extern program, and/or designates which alumni are new sponsors. Women are encouraged to apply for the externships sponsored by The President's Council of Cornell Women and minority students are encouraged to apply for externships developed by the minority alumni associations. However, ALL MATRICULATED STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ALL EXTERNSHIPS MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

• Requirements and Preferences 

• COLLEGE/MAJOR/CLASS REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES: Specified by the sponsor. If a sponsor lists requirements, you must meet the requirements to apply for the externship. If a sponsor lists preferences, you may apply for an externship even if you do not meet the preferences; however, students who meet preferences will have priority. a) If a sponsor specifies a College and majors within that same college, you must meet both the College and major requirement. For example, if requirements state "Arts & Sciences; Economics; Human Ecology", only Econ majors within Arts can apply but all HumEc students can apply. b) If a sponsor specifies a college and also lists majors outside of that college, you can meet either the college or major requirement. For example, if a listing states: Engineering; Biochemistry; Physics, all engineering majors can apply as well as Biochemistry and Physics majors. c) You must always meet class year requirement.
  
  OTHER REQUIREMENTS OR PREFERENCES: If an externship lists other requirements or preferences, you must explain in the on-line application how you meet the "other" sponsor requirements or preferences specified; otherwise, your application will not be considered.

Extern applications are due in 103 Barnes Hall no later than 7:00 pm on the deadline dates (October 12 for "Round 1" and November 2 for "Round 2"). The Participation Agreement must be signed and submitted with the supplemental materials (introduction essays and resume) in order to be considered for participation in the program.