First Semester

• Settle in
• Start taking core courses
• Attend department meetings
• Attend department seminars
• Attend listening sessions with Department Chair and DGS
• Attend luncheons with DGS and GFA
• Attend “Meet and Greets” with department faculty
• Join department committees as the graduate student representative
• Begin Researching external fellowship opportunities for the following year

Second Semester

• Finish taking core courses
• Start thinking about your Special Committee (talk with field members!)
• Start thinking about a Master’s thesis topic
• Continue attending department meetings, seminars, listening sessions, etc.
• Apply for department/Cornell/external funding for the summer and the following year

Third Semester

• Must form Special Committee (at least two members for Master’s)
• Select a Master’s thesis topic with your Special Committee and start researching it
• Start taking major and minor area courses
• Continue socialization within department and with your outside research area(s)
• Apply for external fellowships to fund field research next year

Fourth Semester / Summer

• Continuing taking major and minor area courses
• Continue with in-depth research and begin writing your Master’s thesis
• Continue socialization within department and with your outside research area(s)
• Apply for department/Cornell funding for the summer and the following year (if you are not doing field research)
• Start discussing a date for your Master’s thesis defense with your Special Committee
• Finish writing thesis and sit for defense!
• Submit thesis for degree conferral