Arts and Sciences Advising Deans: A "Ray" of Sunshine

It's finally spring here in Ithaca and that means that admitted students are coming from far and wide to visit Cornell's campus for Cornell Days! Some of the most popular events during Cornell Days are the info sessions, which are hosted by Advising Deans and Ambassadors for the College of Arts & Sciences. Sophomore Sydney Mann explains how her experience sitting in on Advising Dean Ray Kim's info session in the spring of her senior year of high school kicked off a surprising series of events. Enjoy (and, if you happen to read this and then sit in on an info session, don't be afraid to come say hi!).

By: Sydney Mann '18

Far above Cayuga’s waters lives Cornell: a university with a student population of 21,850 students, about 55 times the size of my high school. The small setting of my high school allowed me to create strong bonds with both my administration and faculty; such ties cultivated a strong community.

My biggest fear before applying to Cornell was that I wouldn’t find those relationships I was able to generate in high school. I was afraid that I would be a tiny fish lost in the large sea of Cayuga’s waters. During Cornell Days, as a pre-frosh, I sat in on Advising Dean Ray Kim’s information session. Easily one of the most engaging info sessions I had attended thus far in my grueling college process, Kim described not only his role in reviewing students’ applications, but also his experiences as an Academic Advisor. It was refreshing to see a man of such importance so involved in students’ lives. He exuded passion, as it was clear he cared about his students’ wellbeing at Cornell both socially and academically. From what I understood, he developed friendships with his advisees. I began working as a Cornell Arts and Sciences Ambassador during the second semester of my freshman year. I was determined to engage with Cornell in a more personal way; I wanted to demonstrate to prospective students just how much of a community Cornell is. I remember my first ambassador’s experience vividly: I worked during Cornell Days as an ambassador with none other than Ray Kim. I was star-struck; I had the luxury of accompanying a figure that was so influential in my decision to attend Cornell. Before the session had started, he introduced himself to me as “Ray.” Before I said my name, he said, “Sydney, right?” I nodded my head, assuming he had just read my bio beforehand. Staring me in the face for a brief moment, he asked, “You’re from New Jersey, yes? You attended Newark Academy.” My jaw fell slack. I was speechless. He reached out his hand and said, “Hi Sydney. I admitted you into Cornell.

Throughout the entire information session, I finally understood what the previous ambassadors had talked about: a bonded community. Honestly, I felt as though a celebrity knew who I was. I had always thought that I was just a nameless face amongst so many talented, well-rounded students. In that moment, Mr. Kim proved to me that Cornell’s administration knows about every student they accept. The encounter still reminds me every day that I am in a setting that wants me to thrive. Far above Cayuga’s waters lives more than just the institution of Cornell. Far above Cayuga’s waters lives a community where students are taught to excel and challenge themselves, where I can confidently say that I’ve found a home. Cornell has given me so much more than a liberal arts education. It has given me a network of wonderful individuals, bonds that I will have for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ray Kim - thank you for being living proof that Cornell truly cares about every student in every study.