Meet Alexandra
Alexandra’s Cornell story is one of appreciation for the small things the campus and community have to offer: professors eager to have undergraduates in their research labs, walking past waterfalls on the way to class, attending chimes concerts at McGraw Tower, and paddleboarding or watching hot air balloons take off at nearby Cayuga Lake. The collaborative spirit and robust academic support at Cornell Engineering have only solidified her belief that this is the perfect place for her.
What clubs/activities are you involved with on campus?
I am a member of the Cornell Alpine Ski Team, the Biomedical Engineering Society, Big Red Student Ambassadors, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Cornell Rowing Club.
Why is the College of Engineering a great fit for you?
Every engineering class I have taken has always stressed the importance of collaboration. The professors strongly encouraged us to work on problem sets, take-home quizzes, and review lecture notes with friends. This collaborative nature is something Cornell has intentionally built into every aspect of their teaching, which made me realize that I was an excellent fit for Cornell. Being a very visual and interactive learner, I knew that Cornell's approach — incorporating numerous group projects and in-class collaboration time — meant that I would not only get to meet new people in my classes but also understand the material on a deeper level than just listening to lectures, as is common at many other colleges. Wanting to do research as well, I found that almost every professor was enthusiastic and excited to have new undergraduates join their lab. At other universities I looked at, fewer undergraduates were involved in research compared to Cornell. The opportunities to participate in research and the collaborative environment that Cornell Engineering is built upon made it a perfect fit for me.
What is your academic passion?
Being the daughter of a physician, I knew I wanted to go into healthcare to impact the lives that others can live positively. As a biomedical engineer, I have the potential to impact the lives of many more people than if I had my own practice by helping to design solutions to the problems many people face.
What are your go-to campus resources? How did you discover them?
On campus, my go-to resource is the Engineering Learning Initiatives (ELI). One of my biggest fears going into Cornell was that I might fall behind or not know as much as other students in my classes. On a Zoom call before enrolling in classes for my first semester at Cornell, I learned about a class called Academic Excellence Workshop through ELI. This 1-credit, student-led supplemental math class was designed to help students practice solving problems. It was one of the best choices I made — not only did it help me immensely in my class, but I also met one of my closest friends there. I also discovered that ELI offers free, one-on-one tutoring that you can schedule at your convenience to help you feel prepared before exams. These resources support me not only in my classes but also in my research. Through ELI, I received a grant to stay in Ithaca and conduct research over the summer, which was one of my favorite experiences at Cornell so far.
Tell us about your favorite place to study.
My favorite place to study is in the A. D. White Reading Room in Uris Library, particularly next to a window seat overlooking Libe Slope. I also play a fun game where I go into a library or building and see how deep into the building I can get before I can't go any further, and I study there. You'll find that at Cornell, there are a lot of small study spaces hidden within buildings. It is a fun way to discover new study spots while getting to know the Cornell campus better.
What is your favorite class so far, and why?
My favorite class at Cornell was a bioethics class I took as my First-Year Writing Seminar. It was a philosophy course and one of my first classes at Cornell. I had an idea of what I thought a philosophy professor at Cornell would be like, but on the first day, the professor walked in and immediately told us to just call him "Matt." This class had some of the most interesting discussions, and it truly made me think about my work as a biomedical engineer in a new light. It was filled with fun moments and serious debates, expanding how I think ethically about medicine. It was also a class where I met many friends with whom I'm still close today.
Hometown
Bedford Corners, New YorkGraduation Year
2026College/School
- College of Engineering
Majors
- Biomedical Engineering
Minors
- Business
Pull Quote
What is one piece of advice or something you wish you knew when you were applying?
When applying, find the unique aspects of Cornell that excite you. For example, it could be one of the over 1,000 clubs at Cornell, attending a chimes concert from the clock tower, or looking forward to your first sundae from the Cornell Dairy Bar. These unique elements can help you recognize when a college is the right fit. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to current Cornell students. They often have valuable insights into whether Cornell would be a good match for you, and listening to them talk about their experiences can help you find something that excites you specifically about Cornell.
Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Ithaca.
One of my favorite things to do in Ithaca is visiting Stewart Park at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. It has many benches that offer perfect views for watching the sunset on a nice day. Hot air balloons often take off nearby, adding to the scenic atmosphere. If you love running, numerous trails start from the park. It’s also where my friends and I recently started paddleboarding. I recommend a picnic or walking around Cayuga Lake from Stewart Park. I also love skiing at Greek Peak, a mountain 30 minutes away from campus. Not only is it fun to ski with friends, but there are also many fun events, such as the annual pond skim every March.
How did you find your friends and community at Cornell?
I found my closest group of friends at Cornell through the Cornell Alpine Ski Team, one of the clubs I joined during my first year. Everyone on the team is encouraging and kind; they always have your back, no matter what. Most of my best memories at Cornell have been spent with individuals I’ve met on the team, from going to hockey games together to competing at Nationals in Lake Placid.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in biomedical engineering focusing on tissue engineering and cartilage. I then want to run my own lab in a hospital setting.
When you were applying, why did you choose Cornell?
Cornell was the very first college I visited. I quickly realized that when touring other colleges, I kept comparing each one back to Cornell. That’s when I knew Cornell was the place for me. It was the small things that Cornell had to offer, such as walking over beautiful waterfalls to get to class, having professors eager to have undergraduates join their research labs, and hearing songs played on the clock tower every day, that made me feel it would be the place I’d call home for the next four years.