Welcome back! This month, we have two themes – "Work and Community Service" and "Winter Adventures." Ambassadors will be sharing with us what they did over the winter break and also about jobs or volunteer positions on campus that they love. Junior Nitya starts the month off by telling us about her warm winter break shadowing in Kerala, India.By Nitya Deshmukh '19, Biology and Society majorWhen…
Max Zimmerman '15Major: Asian StudiesHometown: New York, NYWhy did you choose Cornell?Lost in the maze of choices a high school senior is faced with I decided to take the path where I felt I could stumble into any field at the highest level possible. Certainly Asian Studies was not on my college application, but it seems my intuition was right this time.What is your main Cornell extracurricular…
Continuing on with the theme of "Summer Adventures," senior Shanna tells us about how she spent this past summer in Singida, Tanzania conducting global health research. By Shanna Smith '18, Biological Sciences and French double major One of the most interesting experiences of my life was participating in global health research in Singida, Tanzania this past summer. I have been working on the…
Gustavo Flores-Macias, professor of government, has studied the Colombian security tax, a levy on the economically elite that finances public safety.Growing up in Latin America at a time of drastic economic reforms wasn’t easy, says Gustavo Flores-Macías.Those reforms included privatization, trade and financial liberalization, and the elimination or reduction of government subsidies, all of which…
Happy November! This month, we're focusing on the "spirit of Cornell" and what that means to our Ambassadors. Sophomore Meredith Chagares starts us off with a post describing the supportive and diverse nature of Cornell and the greater Ithaca community! By: Meredith Chagares '19I hail from a fairly small town in northern New Jersey. Despite its proximity to New York City, my town is very…
We've made it to April! While it's currently snowing here in Ithaca, we're sure spring is just around the corner, as is National College Decision Day (on May 1st). For those students who are struggling to decide between Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences and other institutions (or those high school students wishing that they will be in this position a year or two from now), we here at the…
As we move into November, our weekly blog posts will shift in focus. This month, our theme is "Academic and Residential Life at Cornell." Samantha Briggs '16 starts us off by explaining how the College of Arts and Sciences' unique set of distribution requirements allows students to explore subjects they never would have considered otherwise! By: Samantha Briggs '16 As students in the College of…
Kelsey Ross '15Major: Government Hometown: Rochester, NY Why did you choose Cornell?My extended family is from the Ithaca area and I always imagined myself going to Cornell. When it came time to visit schools I fell in love with the campus. I loved the sense of community you get when you walk around the campus.What is your main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is it important to you?My…
For October, we ask our ambassadors how they spent this past summer. This week Shoshana takes us across the ocean to her experience at Eventerprise, a startup where she developed her design skills.By Shoshana Swell '20, Information Science and Performing and Media ArtsMy name is Shoshana Swell. I am a Junior in The College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Information Science and…
December is here! This month, Ambassadors will be writing about their experiences studying away from campus in Spain and the United Kingdom. Senior Hadassa starts off by giving us a taste of her year abroad in Barcelona. By Hadassa Jakher '18, Government and Spanish double major, International Relations and Law & Society double minorMy decision to study abroad was monumental, and pretty…
This week, junior Kasey Han discusses how the depth and breadth of Arts & Sciences have allowed her to pursue unique opportunities as a College Scholar studying Developmental Circus Arts. By: Kasey Han '18, Biology and College Scholar double majorHere’s a real piece of advice I’ve received: “Do a handstand before your exam.” Even if seeing me doing a handstand outside my prelim (Cornell’s…
The advent of queer theory “caused a shock wave which has affected all intellectual disciplines,” as Didier Eribon, a leading French intellectual, once said. A look back at the undergraduate years of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, ‘71, a founder of queer theory, reveals a unique glimpse of where that shock wave first began.When Sedgwick arrived at Cornell in 1967, she had yet to make her mark on the…
This October, we've decided to showcase Ambassadors' experiences "Easing Back into Classes." We asked our Ambassadors to tell us about a class they're taking or have taken that they think the world deserves to know about. Sophomore Emma Bryan starts us off with a post about her experience taking a wide range of college French classes (perhaps rivaling her experience with Cornell peanut butter -…
By: Matthew Donnelly '18One of the greatest aspects of Cornell as an institution, in my opinion, is the number of doors an education like mine can open. Having recently decided to declare Spanish as my second major in addition to Biology, I was eager to find opportunities to practice the language with native speakers. After talking with some friends, one of whom is Peruvian, we decided that over…
By: Emma Korolik '17 This past summer, I spent a month in Rome, Italy studying abroad through the College of Arts and Sciences. As a double major (English and Sociology) with a minor (Education) and a deep love for Cornell’s Ithaca campus, I wasn’t sure about going abroad. Yet, when I heard about a four-week creative-writing summer program in the heart of Rome, I knew I had to apply. Italy seemed…
Iva Karoly-Lister '15 Major: Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Chemistry & Chemical BiologyHometown: Anchorage, AKWhy did you choose Cornell?My grandma went to Cornell and told me I should go here. She's always been one of my greatest role models so I thought it would be cool to spend time in the same places that she did.What is your main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is…
Emma Gerstenzang '15Major: Religious StudiesHometown: Brooklyn, NYWhy did you choose Cornell?I chose Cornell because of some intangible sense that it was a "good fit." Whatever that means to a high school senior is hard to say (some have suggested it may have to do with my love of apple cider), but I have come to appreciate that impulse. Cornell was the right choice for me because it blends a…
For April, we focus on the theme of diversity. Ambassadors will share times at which they felt that diversity is important in Arts and Sciences, and what life at Cornell is like as a minority, whether that be in terms of race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or perspective. This week, Sophomore Julian discusses how his academic and social experiences at Cornell have helped him process,…
Nathan Floro '15Major: Linguistics and Near Eastern StudiesHometown: Canal Fulton, OHWhy did you choose Cornell?In high school, I had many different interests and did not know what I wanted to major in when I got to college. When I looked at different schools, I was struck by Cornell’s dedication to diverse curricular offerings and focus on students exploring many interests. The motto “any…
Even the most extreme objects in the universe – including black holes – must obey certain rules.
A central law for black holes predicts that the total area of their event horizons – the boundary beyond which nothing can ever escape – should never shrink. This law is Hawking’s area theorem, named after physicist Stephen Hawking, who derived the theorem in 1971.
Fifty years later, physicists…
A U.S. delegation arrived in Taiwan to show support for the nation as leaders are expected to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen this week. Concerns about the island have escalated since Russian President Vladimir Putin began his assault on Ukraine.
Allen Carlson, associate professor of government and an expert on China, says Taiwan was on edge even before the invasion: “Over the last several…
In the final post of the month, sophomore Sylvie shares how, over just a year, she came to learn a lot about herself and grew as a person through meaningful interactions with professors and peers. By Sylvie Kuvin '20, American Studies majorI have only been a Cornell student for a little over a year, but I already feel as though I have changed in ways I could not have predicted. Cornell has been…
This week, Ellie Schmucker '19 describes her love for North Campus, which houses all Cornell freshman. North Campus provides a unique community where first-year students live and learn together. Ellie's message to freshman and incoming Cornellians is clear: don't take your experience on North Campus for granted! By: Ellie Schmucker '19 Looking back on freshman year, many of my favorite memories…
Here on campus, we've just started our finals period! Even in the midst of exams and papers, though, our ambassadors are looking ahead. Sophomore Shanna Smith discusses her plans to study abroad next semester, all while juggling the requirements of being a biology major on a pre-med track!By: Shanna Smith '18I was once told that for me, studying abroad would be difficult, if not impossible…
As the holidays approach and we close out the semester here at Cornell, and as prospective high school seniors put the finishing touches on their college applications, we thought it would be nice to focus on the things we love most about Cornell. This first post is from sophomore Jendayi Brooks-Flemister, who writes about her experience living in the Japanese Language House on West Campus. Enjoy…
Gabriela Zamora '17 Major: Psychology and SpanishHometown: ChicagoHow did you decide on your major? Have your plans changed since you started Cornell?When I first came to Cornell, I knew I really enjoyed biology and psychology because of my prior exposure. My first year, I took a few courses from both the biology and psychology departments and I was still unsure what to major in. After my second…
by Jacob Brunell '15 There seems to be a lot of information out there telling college students why it is such a great idea to study abroad, but far less advice on what to do after your plane lands and you find yourself thrust out in the middle of a smoggy, loud, foreign city. Indeed, a big part of why some people are hesitant about studying abroad is because they are not sure if they can adjust…
This week, Ambassador Eugene writes about how he made the decision to attend the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell.By Eugene Kim '21, Biological Sciences majorWhile applying to college, it never really occurred to me that the hardest part came after getting all your acceptances and rejections. Average class size. Dorm life. Credentialed faculty. State-of-the-art facilities. The campus…
Daniel Waid Marshall '15Major: HistoryHometown: Santa Barbara, CAWhy did you choose Cornell?Academically, it was the best school I got into. The finger lakes region is beautiful. I was also interested in applying to the Telluride House.What is your main Cornell extracurricular activity -- why is it important to you?Political organizing and activism. They are important to me because my friends, my…
This week, sophomore Shoshana shows us how she spent her winter break training (and delivering candies) in Arizona as well as dancing in San Francisco! By Shoshana Swell '20, Performance & Media Arts and Information Science double major This winter break, I travelled to Arizona for winter training with my Varsity Swim Team. I created this video to highlight the team's training, adventures,…
Stephanie Sang '15Major: Biology & Science of Earth SystemsHometown: Solon, OHWhy did you choose Cornell?By the end of high school, I was determined to study paleontology which requires an understanding of both biology and geology. So, I wanted to choose a university that is strong in both departments. Cornell’s Department of Ecology and Evolution and Department of Earth and Atmospheric…
Writing on the theme of "Easing Back into Classes," junior Sheyla tells us about an exciting class on Beyoncé, intersectional identity, and feminism. By Sheyla Finkner '19, Biology and Society majorIt is a typical Tuesday morning. I walk from my ethics class to a lecture hall on the arts quad, sit down, and pull out my laptop. A few minutes later, my professor walks in and begins playing several…
This week, junior Chelsea Sincox writes about the spirit of the Big Red and her experience as a member of the varsity women's volleyball team. Let's Go Red!By: Chelsea Sincox '18 The month of November is a month of transition. The beautiful leaves that have covered Ithaca for the past couple months are falling, littering the ground that might soon be covered in snow. With fall coming to a close,…
By: Emma Bryan '19As I near the end of my first year at Cornell, I can’t help but reflect on why it was that I decided to come here in the first place. Why, as a senior in high school, did I decide to spend the next four years of my life in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere? Why would I subject myself to an atmosphere where I was not guaranteed success? Why was I leaving my parents and my…
By: Solveig van der Vegt '18During my freshman year at Cornell, I lived in Balch Hall, the North Campus dorm for first-year women. It is a beautiful, gothic building that also houses the Carol Tatkon Center for first-year students, Carol’s Cafe and some offices. Usually, when I tell people that I lived in Balch last year, they say some variant of: “Oh, I am so sorry!” But actually, it was great:…
Matthew Loring '15Major: Computer ScienceHometown: Lansing, NY Why did you choose Cornell?During high school I became interested in both computer science and biology. Most universities separate these disciplines with computer science in engineering and biology in another college. The College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell allowed me to explore my interests in both areas without having to…
This week, Dean Kim takes us inside his summer experience as a medical research assistant.By Dean Kim '20, Chemistry and East Asian StudiesI spent this past summer at the University of Alabama at Birmingham conducting kidney-related research in the Department of Urology. Since my last blog, I have spent nine weeks in Birmingham, Alabama making amazing memories, conducting exciting research, and…
This week, senior Arlinda takes us to England, where she was able to expand her study of philosophy through courses and professors at the University of Oxford. By Arlinda Shehu '18, Philosophy and Psychology double majorDuring the Fall 2017 semester, I was a visiting student at St. Anne’s College at the University of Oxford. As a philosophy major, there were two reasons why I wanted to study…
This week, senior Meg Shigeta talks about how the breadth of the Arts & Sciences course roster allowed her to explore different fields as an underclassmen until she found her home in the Information Science department. Enjoy! By: Meg Shigeta '17, Information Science major, Business minorWhen I first entered Cornell as a freshman in the fall of 2013, I had very little idea what it was I wanted…
Mark Essig’s Lesser Beasts: A Snout to Tail History of the Humble Pig is an ambitious, free-ranging book. It draws not only on history, but also on anthropology, folklore, paleontology, archeology, sociology, contemporary food studies, and probably a dozen other disciplines to weave a compelling narrative that, while centered on the pig, explores less tangible, heavier stuff such as faith, taste,…
In her post this week, junior Isabel Caro discusses the importance of working alongside and listening to people with differing opinions. She explains how her government class this semester provides ample space for this, while also encouraging the type of critical thinking she feels defines a College of Arts & Sciences education. By: Isabel Caro '18As a Government major, I am always looking to…
As we dig into the semester, enjoy sophomore Ben Picket's description of two organizations that have made him feel at home here at Cornell! By: Ben Picket '18I remember going through the college admissions process and weighing the factors that would make my college decision easier. For me, and possibly for many of you, my biggest concern about Cornell was figuring out how to make such a big…
Jasmine Edison '15 Major: MusicHometown: Warner Robins, GAWhy did you choose Cornell?Believe it or not, what really decided it for me was getting lost in the Music library during Cornell Days. I wandered into the stacks and was so distracted by the books I'd found that I lost track of my family. I eventually ran into a friendly grad student who struck up a conversation with me about the books I…
