New York State established the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) for its residents in 1986 with the purpose of increasing the number of students from under-represented groups who are pursuing professional licensure and careers in mathematics, science, technology and health-related fields. Cornell University founded one of the initial CSTEP programs in 1986. Currently, 47 CSTEP programs exist throughout the state.

In 2008, Cornell established the Cornell Professional Opportunity Program (CPOP) aimed to mirror CSTEP and extend the benefits of CSTEP to our students whose permanent residence is outside of NYS. 

CSTEP and CPOP merged in 2012 to create Cornell’s Pre Professional Programs, more commonly known as P3.

1986: New York State establishes the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) focused on increasing the number of students from under-represented groups who are pursuing professional licensure and careers in mathematics, science, technology and health-related fields. Cornell University opens its first CSTEP program.

2008: Cornell University launches CPOP, a mirror program of CSTEP, for out-of-state students.

2012: Cornell’s CPOP and CSTEP merge into one program, the Pre Professional Programs (P3), housed under the division of Undergraduate Education in the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives.