Alexandra H.
My fellow students are the most inspiring part of the Cornell experience. Everyone is passionate about a unique topic and is constantly putting in the work to achieve their goals. Their commitment, drive, and dedication are incredibly inspiring and push me to be the best version of myself every day.
So far, I've particularly enjoyed my Introduction to Political Theory class. It's a lecture-with-discussion format, allowing me to both listen to my professor in detail and share my ideas with my classmates. We've read many iconic political texts so far, and I've greatly enjoyed how my professor and TA are able to turn complex language into clear ideas.
The Cornell experience is unlike any other because it unites so many different types of education. Here, we have it all: An iconic liberal arts college, a cutting-edge engineering school, a renowned business school, a unique agricultural school, a devoted public policy school, and the country's top ILR, hotel, and human ecology programs. They're all so different, but our students unite under the Cornell banner no matter what college they come from. There's no other university where you can find such an intellectually diverse education and student body.
I'm still far from graduation, but I'm interested in attending law school after completing my undergraduate degree. Cornell offers great preparation for graduate school through its academic programs and pre-professional advisors. I was able to receive pre-law advising in my first semester here, a testament to the quality of their support. I'm grateful that the school provides me with so many resources to pursue my post-grad goals!
Consult Your Community at Cornell, Cornell Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, Cornell Law School Tenants Advocacy Program, College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, and the Alumni Affairs Student Engagement Committee.
I love the College of Arts and Sciences because I have a ton of diverse interests. I'm curious about everything from Economics to English, and I'm always looking for interesting classes to take. The flexibility of A&S allows me to explore all of those things, all while giving me an excellent education grounded in a true liberal arts curriculum.
I enjoy studying Government here at Cornell because the classes bridge theory, history, and current events. I'll read political philosophy for class, change tabs, and recognize direct connections to the headlines that I see on the news. It's such an exciting field in that sense, and it only helps that the faculty in the department are world-class.
My go-to campus resources are my RA and my professors! I met my RA by attending residential programming, and she's a great person to talk to about navigating student life. Additionally, I was lucky to get to know some of my professors through attending office hours or taking smaller, seminar-style classes. They always have excellent perspectives on the academic and professional aspects of being a student.
There's a sense of grounding here that is very different from other universities. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Cornellian who brags about their accomplishments, even though everyone here is doing amazing things in their fields. We work hard, celebrate one another, and acknowledge the people and places that support us.
My advice: What is meant for you will never pass you by. I remember feeling so nervous about where I would end up and whether it would be a good fit. With the hindsight I have now, I can confidently say that everything worked out in the best way possible. I never expected to get into Cornell, and I was initially hesitant about attending. However, it ended up being my second home. It feels almost as if the universe knew what was right for me, even when I didn't know myself!
I found a lot of my friends through joining clubs, but oddly enough, the people that I see most often are those that I met at Orientation Week events or in the dorm hallways. Cornell gives you a lot of opportunities to make and sustain those random connections, which is another thing I love about the school. Make good use of those coincidences, because they can be very rewarding!
When making my decision, Cornell immediately stood out to me because it offered an excellent program in my area of interest, a diverse yet tight-knit school community, and a new environment to explore. The combination of all of those variables and my great interactions with Cornell alumni made it the obvious choice.
I'm a big fan of the custom Mediterranean-inspired bowls at Martha's Cafe in Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, but I've had great experiences with Cornell Dining overall. As someone with life-threatening food allergies, the well-labelled food items and lovely, accommodating dining staff have made my experience very smooth while on campus.
There's nothing like a visit to the mall! The TCAT bus system makes it super convenient to hop on a bus from North Campus, head to the mall, and catch a movie with friends before stocking up on snacks at Target. I'd say it's a common and enjoyable experience for a lot of students here.
I stayed on campus during last Fall Break, and I walked around all of Ithaca in one day with some friends. It was so much fun to look at the fall colours and visit iconic Ithaca locations, like Stewart Park and the Commons! We even saw a few cute cats along the way, a common sight in the city.
I enjoy the Reading Room in Uris Library, which has beautiful high ceilings, painted portraits of past Cornell presidents, and lots of natural light. It's not as bustling as some of the other spots on campus, but it never feels isolating because it's right in the middle of campus! I'd highly recommend it.
There's a semicircle of benches behind McGraw Tower, overlooking the beautiful Libe Slope and West Campus. I love taking a few minutes in between classes to take in the view or reflect on my day. Every bench is dedicated to a different Cornellian of the past, and it feels comforting to know that I'm a small part of that rich history.
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