<p>From what I understand, Cornerstones allows you to participate in smaller classes for your first year that are more hands-on and collaborative. It’s also a way of getting all your general ed requirements done the first year in a way that seems more enjoyable and interesting than large lecture classes. I am not positive but my hunch is that Cornerstones is offered to students who the college wants to attract but who maybe did not quite make the honors college cut based on gpa or test scores. My hunch is that it is offered to those who are desirable candidates based on positive qualities such as community involvement, leadership, talents and activities. Cornerstones is in a nice centrally located dorm with its own store and it seems like it would offer a very small community feel within a big university. Downsides are that it is only a first year program, and it does not work with some majors such as engineering. </p>