- FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chinese FALCON?
How would FALCON benefit me?
I’m matriculated at Cornell University. Can I take other classes while in FALCON?
How many students are in Chinese FALCON every year?
I live in Syracuse. Could I commute to FALCON?
In Chinese FALCON, do you teach simplified or traditional characters?
If I complete FALCON, will I be qualified to work in China?
I want to study in China. How can Chinese FALCON help me?
My goal is to work in China. Will Chinese FALCON afford me that ability?
I’m the mother of a potential Chinese FALCON student. My family is Orthodox Jewish, and I’m concerned about my son being able to observe the weekly Sabbath, as well as such holidays as Yom Kippur. I’m especially concerned about how a spring semester in Beijing might affect his religious observances. He’d need, at times, to not work; there are times when he could sit in class, but would be restricted from writing. (Are classes held on Saturdays in Beijing?)
I’m a non-native English speaker. Can I succeed in FALCON?
I was wondering what Intermediate Chinese FALCON covers. I am taking Beginning Chinese this semester and next, and was wondering if your Intermediate Summer FALCON could be the next level for me. Also, is the intensive Summer Intermediate comparable to a third and fourth semester of Chinese at Cornell?
How do I know if I’m qualified to enter Intermediate Chinese FALCON?

What is Japanese FALCON?
Is there a Japanese house available for on-campus housing?
How would FALCON benefit me?
I live in Syracuse. Could I commute to FALCON?
Can I take other classes while in FALCON?
How many students are in Japanese FALCON every year?
Can I benefit from Japanese FALCON if I was certified in the top level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?
I’m a non-native English speaker. Can I succeed in FALCON?
I’d like to learn Japanese. I there anywhere I can get a more detailed curriculum for your summer Japanese program than is on your website? I’d like to compare it to my school’s first year course to see if it could qualify me to move directly to second year after attending the FALCON summer Japanese course.
Would a FALCON certificate get me a job teaching Japanese in the U.S.?
What will my proficiency be once I’ve completed the Full-Year Japanese FALCON Program?
If I complete FALCON, will I be qualified to work in Japan?
I want to study in Japan. How can Japanese FALCON help me?
I worked for two years in Japan and studied Japanese and passed the 3 kyuu level of the JLPT. I am currently studying for the 2 kyuu test. So, I was also wondering if it would be advisable to do the FALCON Program, or is FALCON just basic Japanese?

Am I a “degree” student or a “non-degree” student? What’s the difference?
Should I include a language attachment form for high school French? I retained very little of it, having only taken the classes to satisfy high school requirements.
I’m applying as a visiting undergraduate. Should I have my high school transcript and/or SAT scores sent?
I am interested in the FALCON Program and applying for an M.A. in East Asian studies. I was wondering if you knew what the Chinese language requirements were for this M.A.?
What are the requirements to be accepted into your school?
My son is a junior in high school, and he’s interested in FALCON for the summer. Is it possible for him to attend?
I’m an undergraduate, and I was told during orientation that I have to finish my undergraduate degree program at Cornell in four years. If my FALCON year counts as one of the four years I’ll be spending at Cornell, then I think I probably will want to participate in FALCON while taking a leave of absence from Cornell—so that the year I take FALCON will not count toward on of my four Cornell years (I’m not certain I’ll be able to finish all the work I need in three years.)
-> Should recommendation letters be from teachers only?
If accepted in the program as a non- degree undergrad or grad student—and as the year moves on, what if one is suddenly inspired to get a degree at Cornell?
Can I visit FALCON?

I’m a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences. I’m taking first year Mandarin (CHIN101). I’m considering participating in the fall and spring term FALCON for next year, but not the summer part. While I am participating in Chinese FALCON for the fall and spring terms, will I be given a special status, or considered as a regular Cornell student? That is, will my FALCON year count as one of my four years at Cornell?
Do I need to have a recommendation from a Chinese teacher to be considered for Chinese FALCON?

How do I know if I’m qualified to enter Intermediate Japanese FALCON?
If attending the FALCON Program, and as the year moves on, what if one is suddenly inspired to get a degree at Cornell?
I am a senior in high school, and I greatly desire to learn Japanese. I lived for about 2.5 years on a naval base in Yokosuka, Japan and am very familiar with basic Japanese. I am still planning my college career and am a little unsure of how I am going to proceed. Is it true that the FALCON Program is designed to provide the student with enough of the language and of how to learn the language so that they can pursue international careers.
Do I need to have a recommendation from a Japanese teacher to be considered for Japanese FALCON?

I am an undergraduate. How can I fund Summer FALCON?
I’m an undergraduate. Are there any scholarships available for Academic Year FALCON?
I’m an undergraduate student. Can I use the G.I. Bill for FALCON? How do I do so?
I’m an undergraduate student: which private loan company is most highly recommended for career loans?

I’m a graduate student. How can I fund Academic Year FALCON?
For the FLAS, do I really have to submit GRE scores? What if I were to substitute other standardized test scores?
For the FLAS, are LSAT scores eligible substitutes for GRE scores for FLAS?
To clarify, are non-degree students eligible for FLAS Fellowships?
Are acceptance rates/yields for both the Japanese FALCON program and the FLAS scholarship available?
About when are admissions decisions available both for the FALCON Program and the FLAS Fellowship?
I am a graduate student at another university, and I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I qualified to apply for the FALCON Semester Scholarship?
I’m a Graduate Student. Can I use the G.I. Bill for FALCON? How do I do so?
I’m a graduate student. Which private loan company is most highly recommended for career loans to cover FALCON?
I’m a graduate student. How can I fund Summer FALCON?