Evelyn M.W.
I loved the diversity of majors and opportunities at Cornell. The idea that I could be studying ILR while someone else studied Hotel Administration and another studied Animal Science was very appealing to me. Further, the campus is absolutely stunning, and I thought Ithaca was the perfect college town with nature, great restaurants, and lovely traditions (like Applefest).
Panhellenic Council Executive Board, Big Red Ambassadors Executive Board, Already Friendz Executive Board, Pi Lambda Sigma Pre-Government Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority
The people I've met here. I am so inspired by my peers' dedication and work ethic; they encourage me to be a better version of myself every day.
ILR grants me such an interdisciplinary education that allows me to explore many areas and has introduced me to interests I did not previously know I had, such as HR.
I have taken advantage of Cornell Health many times when I feel unwell or need to talk to someone. I discovered Cornell Health when I was feeling unwell at the start of my sophomore year (as a transfer, my first year here) and went to see a clinician. It turned out that I had COVID, and as I became very stressed by this realization, they immediately brought in one of their counselors for me to speak to, which was quite helpful. The Tatkon Center for New Students also hosts many events at the start of the year for new Cornellians to meet each other and engage with the campus. This was very helpful upon arrival as it provided a structured way for me to spend my first week on campus.
No matter what happens, you will make it work. While I was very upset upon first receiving the Transfer Option, it allowed me to spend a wonderful year at a different institution and meet amazing friends. I am incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity.
Some of my friends were made through Instagram DMs the summer before starting at Cornell, but I also made many after arriving on campus. I made many friends through my classes and extracurriculars. Many of my extracurriculars have big-little programs, which have been a wonderful way for me to make friends across different class years, which I find very rewarding.
I like Mac's Cafe at the Statler! They make custom sandwiches, as well as flatbreads, pizza, and pasta. My favorite thing to order is a chicken wrap. The staff is also so sweet and genuinely tries to make everyone's day.
I am really interested in labor law! I greatly enjoy law-oriented classes, and not only have I been able to take them in ILR, but ILR also gives me the chance to take numerous elective courses in other colleges, such as my Constitutional Politics class in the Law School.
My favorite thing to do in Ithaca is to engage with the Ithaca community. Festivals like Applefest bring together Cornell students, Ithaca College Students, and Ithaca residents, which I think is beautiful. It is a wonderful way to support local businesses and enjoy sweet treats, while feeling like something out of Gilmore Girls.
My favorite Cornell memory happened in February 2025. There was a crazy snowstorm one Saturday night, and my friends and I spontaneously decided to go sledding. Seemingly, many others shared our idea because the hill was packed! It was so fulfilling to engage with the Cornell community in such a spontaneous way.
I am very inspired by my Professors here at Cornell. They all have such impressive backgrounds and previous experiences, and I am honored that they chose to come to Cornell to share their knowledge with me and my peers. Additionally, my professors have always been so happy to help me when I am confused about a topic, which I greatly appreciate.
So far, my favorite class has been Labor and Employment Law with Professor Racabi in the ILR School. I found the content of the course very engaging, as I enjoy learning legal cases. Further, the class is taught in an interactive way, which I found incredibly engaging. It also forced me to push myself out of my comfort zone and participate verbally in class.
To expand on what I previously wrote, I think the Cornell experience is unique because of how many different programs of study we have. Cornell students can take such an incredible range of classes, which is simply not possible at all universities. Just this semester alone, I am taking classes in 5 different departments. I love having friends with many different academic interests, and I think the Cornell environment helps make us more well-rounded students and people.
At this time, I am interested in attending law school after I graduate.
My favorite place to study is Olin Library. It has such a variety of environments, which I really appreciate. If I need to do emails or flashcards, I can go to the first floor, near Libe Cafe, where I am also certain to see a friendly face. If I need to do a long reading and response, I can go to the Kroch Library, which is quieter. Finally, if times are very desperate, I can go to the Olin stacks, where I have no choice but to get my work done without distraction.
I love going to Collegetown Bagels to grab coffee with friends. Admittedly, I cannot work at CTB because it is too frenetic. However, having a good work-life balance is very important to me, and taking the time to see friends away from assignments and deadlines is very enjoyable. Additionally, I enjoy seeing so many Cornellians at CTB because it feels like a community space.
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