Frequently Asked Questions
What year do students go to Rome?
Architecture students generally go in their fourth year, although fifth-year students can go as well. Third-year students who petition occasionally can go if space allows. Art and Planning students go as juniors, although planners also can go as seniors, which would be during their last semester at Cornell (Planning courses are only offered in the Spring semester in Rome). Art students can potentially go as first semester seniors.
What is the Rome curriculum like?
While the focus is the same – architecture, art and planning – much of the learning happens on-site with Rome as the laboratory for the semester. Courses include art and architecture history, a fine arts studio, the architecture studio, and the planning studio comprised of two courses, the European City and the Regional Question or 20th Century Italy: Politics and Society. Other electives include Italian, drawing, photography, an architecture visual studies elective or architecture theory course.
Where are classes held?
Either on-site in the city or at the Palazzo Lazzaroni.
What is the facility like?
We rent two floors of a 17th century palazzo in the historic center of Rome at the Area Sacra di Largo Torre Argentina, minutes from Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. We are continually improving our facility through regular technology upgrades for our computer lab, a wireless computer network, a growing library collection, inspired studio spaces and extraordinary staff.
How big is the program? Who participates?
On average, about 55 students participate each semester. The majority are from AAP, however students from outside AAP and Cornell also may apply.
Where do students live?
We have about 11-12 apartments for students, all very close to the Palazzo Lazzaroni. The apartments are fully furnished and have kitchens with all cooking implements, washers and dryers, and household linens.
Who teaches the courses?
Faculty from each of the three departments reside in Rome for the semester or sometimes for a half semester. We also hire an extraordinary group of adjuncts – archaeologists, classics scholars, architecture and art historians – some are Americans living in Italy, others are Europeans or Italians.
Do students travel during the semester?
There is an extensive field trip program that usually totals about 20 days during the semester. Cornell and visiting faculty travel with the students and give lectures on site.
When are the application deadlines for the program?
Cornell students must apply by November 1 of the academic year ahead of the semester of study. Non-Cornell and off-campus students may apply by December 15 prior to the semester of study.
How much extra does it cost?
The program costs are approximately $3,000-$4,000 above the usual semester expenses. This includes a $1,650 field trip fee and $650-$950 airfare, as well as an estimate for phone costs (although international calling card rates help with saving), travel in Rome and travel during break. Tuition is the same as on-campus, housing is approximately $3,900 for the semester. Financial aid packages are re-calculated and re-issued the semester before the student studies in Rome. There also are a number of college scholarships dedicated to students participating in study abroad programs.
How can students prepare for study in Rome?
All students are encouraged to take 1-2 semesters of Italian before their semester in Rome (particularly Planning students). Students should note that Beginning Italian is only offered on campus during fall semesters. Students can better their historical and cultural understanding of Italy by taking classes in departments like art history, architecture history, classics, Italian (which offers some Italian culture and history courses in English as well as Italian), medieval studies, music, landscape architecture and history. Students should explore the options that appeal to their interests and help prepare them for study abroad.
Students also are encouraged to continue with their extracurricular activities in Rome (singing, dancing, soccer, etc.). Researching possibilities ahead of time, with the assistance of our Program Coordinator in Rome, can be useful.
