Student Stories
Daniel Di Chiara
As a Public Policy major at the Brooks School, Daniel is driven by a desire to use his education to impact the world positively. Support across campus, from the Career Exploration Center to the Veteran Services Team, has been invaluable, providing mentorship, career preparation, and a seamless transition from military service to academia. Daniel feels he’s found a home at Cornell that champions community and personal growth.
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Katherine Ruelan
Katherine has found support within Cornell's military community thanks to an engaged veteran association and the opportunity to participate in the Veteran Summer Bridge Program. Academically, she feels her Engineering advisor has been a game changer for her success, and outside of the classroom, she looks to Ithaca's natural beauty as a tool to enhance her well-being.
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Armen Abrahamian
Entering Cornell undecided about which major to pursue, Armen has found the College of Arts & Sciences to be the perfect fit as it allows — and encourages — him to explore his broad interests. He sees the customizable Cornell experience as unique thanks to its myriad student organizations, majors, housing styles, and dining options. Armen's favorite Cornell memory? Catching a loose puck in front of a cheering hockey crowd.
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Suparna Agrawal
As a resident advisor for Schuyler House, a research assistant in the Liberating Migrant Labor project, and a D&I assistant in Alpha Phi Omega, Suparna thrives on community building and social justice. The ILR School, with its focus on law and labor, was a perfect fit. Initially uncertain, Suparna discovered that ILR opened doors she hadn’t known existed. And the ILR High Road Fellowship in NYC allowed her to empower marginalized individuals while exploring the city.
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Jeffrey Ruiz
Jeffrey’s Cornell journey is filled with exciting experiences and a passion for giving back. As a member of Colombianos Unidos, Footvolley Club, Aviation Club, and Running Club, and as an Academic Excellence Workshop Facilitator, he is deeply involved in campus life. The College of Engineering provides the support and flexibility for him to thrive as he explores his interests on campus and abroad.
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Anna Cecilia Fierro
From the vibrant streets of Santa Ana, California, to Cornell’s bustling campus, Anna Cecilia dives headfirst into a whirlwind of activities. She forges friendships across disciplines—speech, music, activism—bridging gaps and celebrating shared interests. Academically, Professor García’s vivid lectures on migration, climate change, and discrimination transport Anna Cecilia beyond the classroom. Paired with her hometown’s spirit, she feels fueled in her fight for underrepresented voices as she pursues a career in international law.
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Brian Kim-Koutsis
Brian's dedication to personal growth, be it his own or that of his fellow Cornellians, is a testament to his family. They inspire his work ethic because their sacrifices ensure he lives a fulfilled life. Whether studying in the whimsical Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall, complete with a Global Tea Club station, or watching sunsets over Cayuga Lake, Brian has found a home away from home to pursue his dreams.
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Michaela Eichel
Michaela, a Massachusetts native graduating in 2025, is studying Information Science in the College of Arts & Sciences with a minor in Business. When she isn’t traveling with the ski team or exploring Ithaca with the Cornell Running Club, Michaela enjoys how interdisciplinary her Cornell education is.
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Matthew Norman-Ariztía
Matthew’s online search for the “best plant science program” led him to his academic home in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and now he shares his advice with students applying to Cornell. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Matthew appreciates not only the myriad of opportunities at Cornell but also the depth with which he can explore them; he serves as co-president for the Translator Interpreter Program, a lead mentor for the Plant Sciences program, and a CALS Global Fellow — an opportunity which brought him to Argentina.
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Melaina Thompson
As an AAP Ambassador within the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Melaina bridges her love for art with her commitment to community. The BFA program allows her to explore diverse interests through elective classes while, outside of the classroom, she revels in all of the activities available at a large university. Melaina’s journey at Cornell is a canvas painted with passion, community, and boundless creativity.
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Adam Hollingworth
A self-described “city person,” Adam has come to appreciate the natural beauty the city of Ithaca offers, whether hiking, doing “polar plunges” in the lake, or watching the sun set. Outside of Ithaca, his studies and extracurricular involvements have brought him to New York City (including the French embassy!) and beyond. Wherever Adam finds himself, he always feels encouraged to pursue his dreams by the passionate, caring Hotelie community that surrounds him.
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Aja'nae Hall-Callaway
Hailing from Philadelphia, Aja’nae weaves a tapestry of diverse interests and experiences while pursuing her Asian Studies major and minor in International Relations. Discussions and debates in class fuel her curiosity, allowing her to explore different cultures and challenge an American-centric perspective. Aja’nae’s advice to incoming students? Embrace uncertainty. It’s okay not to have all the answers. Craft your path, explore widely, and avoid feeling trapped in a major that doesn’t resonate.
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Lauren Noll
From a small town and nervous about attending an Ivy League university, Lauren made the leap after discovering Cornell’s Urban and Regional Studies program — a perfect match for her interest in urban real estate and related topics such as transportation and economic development. Now, as a proud member of the Big Red Marching Band, Big Red Pep Band, Cornell University Indoor Drumline, and the JAM Program House, her love of music has played an essential role in finding a home and community at Cornell.
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Julian Amundaray
For Miami-native Julian, what sets Cornell apart is the campus community that helps him thrive. Whether it’s the ease with which he can approach professors or tapping into the Learning Strategies Center’s many resources, he’s armed with knowledge and study techniques as he pursues his Human Biology, Health, and Society major — one step on his path toward medical school.
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Ariela Asllani
Ariela brings passion and purpose to her community. Her interdisciplinary coursework spanning sociology, economics, law, public policy, and political science, plus her internship at the White House, prepare her for a career in public service. Beyond academics, she founded Refugee Scholars in Ithaca and is hoping to become a volunteer firefighter, part of her commitment to serving the city she loves.
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Sara Shah
Sara, an international architecture student from India, finds Cornell to be a melting pot of brilliance and compassion filled with individuals who strive to make the world a better place. The entrepreneurial spark flickers within her, and she aspires to shape the world through her own venture after graduation, envisioning a future where design and business intersect.
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Elliott Serna
At the Brooks School, Elliott experiences the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a close-knit community and the vast opportunities offered by a large institution. The School’s flexible curriculum allows him to explore diverse disciplines across the university, giving Elliott the ability to weave together different threads of knowledge into practical policy applications. But his journey isn’t just about academics; it’s deeply personal. Coming from a background where higher education seemed mythical, he seeks wisdom from professors and peers alike. Through their stories, Elliott has found role models and a drive to not to not only seek knowledge, but to create it.
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Sebastian Bartnik
As an Urban and Regional Studies major in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), Sebastian wears many hats: VP of the Organization of Urban and Regional Studies, an AAP Ambassador, an Outdoor Odyssey Guide, part of Community Crew, and a member of Greek life. And within AAP's tight-knit community of creative thinkers, Sebastian has found unwavering support and invaluable connections — a home away from home where he can freely express himself.
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Alyssa Schwertfeger
The College of Arts & Sciences provides Alyssa with a diverse array of classes. Spanish at Cornell left a lasting impact—the small class fostered friendships that endure even years later. But it’s the Biological Sciences major that truly captivates her. Alyssa’s concentration in Human Nutrition opened her eyes to this fascinating field, igniting her passion for metabolism and health.
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Oliver Saul
An Urban and Regional Studies major in the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, Oliver loves that he’s found so many people in their program that share their passions. Their favorite class, Observing the City, served as an introduction to Ithaca and Oliver hopes to one day move home to Sacramento and share what he’s learned in order to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.
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Riley Blaber
Riley is an English major minoring in education from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Riley takes advantage of Cornell and the surrounding Ithaca area to find unique and resourceful study spots, and she knows the very best day to go to a student-favorite café, Temple of Zeus.
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Hamid Rezaee
Hamid, an aspiring computer scientist from Afghanistan, takes advantage of the many resources Cornell offers its students. He can be found relaxing on Libe Slope or studying in Uris Library and is grateful for the expansive academic possibilities he finds in the College of Arts & Sciences curriculum.
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Lauren Quellos
The small class size of the Urban and Regional Studies major has provided Lauren with a tight-knit community of like-minded peers within the larger university. Academically, her passion lies in understanding how laws impact urban poverty and quality of life, leading her to pursue a public policy minor to study the real-world consequences of government decisions.
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Andrew Kim
Andrew is passionate about the intersection of neuroscience and psychology, delving into the biological intricacies of the brain while seeking to understand the human mind’s behavioral and mental processes. His freshman year was a whirlwind of club exploration, leading to lasting friendships from Encouraging Young Engineers and Scientists (EYES). His most cherished Cornell memory? Collaborating with EYES to create marshmallow catapults for elementary school students—a pure and feel-good experience involving the Ithaca and Cornell communities.
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Ariel Majorczyk
Ariel brings a unique blend of curiosity and enthusiasm to campus life. At first, she worried about forging connections in Cornell’s vast community as a transfer student. However, she quickly discovered the warmth and openness of her fellow Cornellians. Cornell’s vibrant event calendar provides endless opportunities to connect and explore new interests. And on weekends, you’ll find Ariel at the Ithaca Farmers Market, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, supporting local businesses, and savoring the stories behind each vendor’s offerings.
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Karlah Culver
Karlah pursues Biology & Society at the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences (CALS), where she loves delving into the societal implications of healthcare. Karlah's post-graduation plans include applying to medical school to become an OBGYN, and her goal is to work specifically in infertility treatment and open an IVF clinic. On campus, she stays engaged in various clubs and activities while enjoying all that Ithaca and Cornell offer.
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Leina Mc Laughlin
Leina thrives in the diverse intellectual landscape the College of Arts & Sciences provides, and with academic interests ranging from data science to poetry analysis, Leina knows better than anyone that the college emphasizes breadth of study. Around campus, Leina dives into research and her work as an admissions ambassador, and she's become a human map! After challenging herself to take every bus route, she has found many favorite and niche places in the Finger Lakes region.
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Jordan Nero
Jordan’s passion for exploration and connection has shaped her college experience. Engaged in various campus activities, including serving as the treasurer of the Women's Club Softball Team and being a Big Red Ambassador, Jordan also finds that the College of Arts & Sciences fosters her curiosity, allowing her to explore subjects like hard sciences and Near Eastern Studies as she settled on her economics major.
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Olivia Ochoa
As a first-generation low-income student, Olivia found invaluable support among upper-level peers and within her Posse scholarship cohort, and she advises new applicants to combat imposter syndrome and embrace their unique contributions. Whether she’s grabbing a bowl of pasta from Trillium or going to one of her many campus activities, Olivia takes advantage of everything Cornell has to offer.
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Lana Phillips
After transitioning from an undecided major to Global and Public Health Sciences (GPHS), Lana found a perfect fit for her academic interests and aligned with her passion to become an oncologist, emphasizing disease prevention and healthcare ethics. Lana chose Cornell for its academic excellence, vibrant community, and scenic campus, and urges prospective students to explore all that Cornell has to offer, academically and socially.
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Katlynn Ryu
Katlynn values Cornell's academic environment and explores her passions through unique engineering opportunities offered in classrooms and through student organizations. Katlynn finds inspiration in her hardworking classmates, and post-graduation, she plans to pursue an M.Eng degree before working in tech.
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Claire Vaughn
Claire seamlessly balances her academic pursuits with a rich array of extracurricular involvements as both a dedicated athlete and an admissions ambassador. Her enthusiasm for her economics major shines through as she delves into her classes and shares the value of the campus resources available to students.
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Kammi Wong
Kammi, an Applied Economics and Management major with a penchant for real-world experiences, thrives on the opportunities Dyson provides and finds the robust alumni and professional network helps fuel exploration across diverse sectors. Her go-to student resource on campus? The OADI office, discovered during her Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program. When studying, Kammi retreats to the law school lounges and the serene Catherwood Library. Beyond campus, she finds Stewart Park a tranquil haven by Cayuga Lake, perfect for picnics and relaxing walks.
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Isabella Riano
Isabella, a New York native graduating in 2025, is deeply embedded in campus life through her many campus groups and clubs. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, she’s found the perfect fit for her academic journey, transitioning from a government major to discovering a passion for American Studies as she pursues her future in immigration law.
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Bintou Majula Drammeh
Coming from a small international school, Bintou wanted to find a similarly small community while still having access to the people and resources a larger university affords. She found that in the ILR school at Cornell, and whether it's her friends, her mentors, or her professors, she considers “the people” her favorite thing about the university.
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Laila Rahbari
Laila’s time at Cornell has largely been shaped by her experiences with the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. This future human rights lawyer credits them with providing opportunities for her to engage not only with her peers, faculty, and alumni, but also the Ithaca and greater New York community through her research and fellowships.
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Angelina Tang
Angelina is grateful that the College of Human Ecology makes it so every student can have a unique and tailored experience that matches their passions. While Cornell does not have a concentration in maternal health, Angelina's public health classes touched on this important topic in nuanced and complex ways. Now, she's completing her capstone project on maternal health in NYC.
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Maya Jarolem
Maya knew she wanted her academic focus to be medicine, but she found the course flexibility at Cornell and the wide-ranging classes available to be integral to her learning journey. She loves having the freedom to take classes outside her major (like raptor husbandry!) to give her a more individualized academic experience. As a Florida native, she also enjoyed seeing the beauty of Ithaca’s changing seasons for the first time.
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Ella Paolucci
Ella found her perfect fit in the College of Arts & Sciences, where she explores her wide-ranging interests, like social justice and community empowerment while pursuing a degree in anthropology. After a transformative semester in Ireland, she’s excited to continue her experiential learning when she volunteers at the Sundance Film Festival after graduation.
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Cannon Cline
Cannon’s favorite thing about Cornell is the passionate community of peers, and he feels inspired hearing about their unique stories and interests. Likewise, he believes that the application essay is a great way for a student to share their story and showcase who they are.
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Dani Ramos Oneda
Dani found it was easiest to form bonds and create lasting connections by joining academic and cultural clubs where she already had a common interest or background with other members. Whether stargazing on the slope or visiting the farmers market together, she considers those friendships the foundation of her favorite Cornell memories.
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Jenna Resnik
Jenna prepares for a future in medicine with the College of Human Ecology’s multidisciplinary approach to learning, and is able to focus on her passion of supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her advice for prospective and current students: take time for yourself and, at Cornell, take advantage of the numerous libraries, classes, eateries, local businesses, natural landscapes, and people you come across each day - you never know how these commonplace interactions could change your life or way of thinking.
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Cody Dettlaff
Cody, a veteran student and biological sciences major from Jax Beach, Florida, finds new ways to explore environment and sustainability efforts as a Cornellian. Cody recommends students take advantage of Cornell-sponsored trips and explore Ithaca, New York. Maybe you'll also pick up a new sport to enjoy on Cayuga Lake.
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Sofía van Mierlo
Sofia loves that the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning’s small class sizes provide her with an intimate space to develop strong relationships with both peers and professors. Sofia pursues a comprehensive art education and finds growth both as an artist and an art historian. Ithaca’s beautiful natural surroundings provide a place to unplug, and one of her favorite memories is singing along to the music at Slope Day, Cornell’s yearly concert that celebrates the end of the spring semester.
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Max Goldrich
Max has found a perfect fit in the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration, where he learns about business operations while also gaining a taste for food and beverage management. Max enjoys photographing Ithaca’s beautiful scenery and takes part in Cornell Rowing on the lake.
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Isabel Lee
As a student at the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy, Isabel found friends and an intellectually stimulating community in the school’s intimate atmosphere. Now Isabel is building a strong foundation in her pre-med track and thriving due to her involvement in the Cornell Policy Group, the Queer Pre-Health Association, The Daily Sun, and the Cornell Healthcare Review.
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Wendy Lin
At Cornell, Wendy seeks out opportunities where she can pursue her hobbies and interests. Between the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Wendy finds herself exploring ways to engage with the community and labor dynamics in the green-energy transition.
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Najiullah Basharat
Najiullah is a Cornellian from Afghanistan graduating in 2026. Entering the College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) as an Undecided major, he is now pursuing a degree in Computer Science, and appreciates that A&S allows him to continue to explore his broad range of interests like Astronomy and Entrepreneurship.
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Elena Woo
Elena’s journey in the College of Arts & Sciences has allowed her to see the intersections of natural and social sciences. Paired with her ability to advocate for herself and her future, Elena credits Cornell Career Services and the Cornell Tradition Fellowship for setting her up for success.
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Isabelle Erskine
Though she worried about making friends as a transfer student, Isabelle quickly found community as she explored her academic passions in the College of Human Ecology. Isabelle is inspired by her sister pursuing her own academic goals, and now Isabelle takes advantage of every opportunity. She hopes to use her education to pursue a career in law that includes advocacy for special needs and disabled individuals in and out of the classroom.
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Veronica Zellers
Veronica didn’t realize how much she would enjoy Cornell’s small city experience after coming from Los Angeles, California, to Ithaca, New York. She loves how integrated she’s become in Ithaca thanks to her work with Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, and her studies have taken her as far as Vietnam for a community engagement project. After graduating, Veronica hopes to live in France to take her French minor to the next level before returning to the US to study law.
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Grace Kelly Fulton
At Cornell, Grace Kelly pursues all of their passions, including a major in civil engineering, unique physical education classes, competing in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella, and creating their own music for their band. Grace Kelly believes everyone can have their own tailored path during their college career.
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Noah Courtney
Noah finds that Cornell’s founding principle that “... any person can find instruction in any study” resonates with his non-traditional journey to education as a veteran student. On campus, Noah takes advantage of veteran support resources and an intellectually stimulating atmosphere to grow his knowledge of the biological sciences.
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Krissia Tuzroyluk
Krissia wanted to attend a school with a strong Indigenous community on campus, and she’s found a robust community here at Cornell. She loves that Ithaca’s hills, waterfalls, and greenery remind her of home, and she hopes to take her education from Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business back to help her Indigenous community in Point Hope, Alaska.
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