Cornell University Top Questions

I would advise myself to just apply to where I wanted and apply to the major I wanted and yet also to get a backup plan--either a double major or something to support myself on while I pursued my career in acting.

I would tell myself not to compromise who I am for others. Being in college for the first time, it can be easy to lose yourself in the hustle and bustle. If I could go back, I would tell myself to stick to my guns and my values. I would also tell myself not to procrastinate and to go to the gym.

The most surprising yet insightful advice I ever received did not come from a mentor or CEO or celebrity; it came from a fortune cookie: “You must do the things you think you cannot do - Eleanor Roosevelt.” Although I am a self-proclaimed “foodie” and restaurant fanatic, the meal was forgettable; the quotation, however, has stuck with me. I continuously push myself to do the impossible, step outside of my comfort zone, and study topics I know nothing about. I am not satisfied doing something that I do not know thoroughly and comprehensively. This desire has infused me with unique qualities and enabled me to grow into a savvy business leader and dedicated team player, which I strive to put into practice every day. Therefore, if I could go back in time and give myself a piece of advice, it would be to continue working hard and striving to be the very best I can be. I am incredibly proud of what I have been able to accomplish in my 26 years so far, and I can say without a doubt that it was all worth it. Looking back on my high school and college career, I have no regrets.

I've learned to see things from a different perspective. I think the most important thing college has done is broaden my worldview. The sheer diversity of the students forces you to consider things from different angles, but consider concerns that you alone may not have thought of. College is a gathering place for ideas and I think those ideas are valuable in and of themselves. That's what I've gotten out of my college experience.

Moving from Shanghai China to Ithaca New York was not an easy transition. The skyline of buildings disappear and are replaced with rolling farms and trees. In my single at Clara Dickson, I ached for the familiarity of home. However, just one short semester at school has changed everything. I have recognized the importance of finding passion and independence. For me, this came in the form of art and poetry. It was not in class but in the solitary hours that I spent before the rest of my dorm woke up, drawing in my sketchpad that I found art; it was in the infamous "Freshman Writing Seminar" that I found the beauty of poetic discourse. A window of inspiration opens when you open yourself to knowledge. To live deliberately, to live with a purpose, and to live with passion is what secondary education is beginning to mean to me. The value of university lies not in what career your passion will lead you to, but in the joy you feel when you exercise that passion. In just four short months, the most valuable lesson I have learned is self discovery.

Though I have not completed my entire experience at college, I have already gained so much. I am a resident advisor, a peer, counselor, and on the executive board of two organizations. My experience is something that I do not think I would have experience anywhere else but Cornell. I have grown as a person and have began to discover who I am.

I am able to make friends along the way and still have time togo to class. the college that i go to is 5 minutes away from my house so it is very convient for me to go to school. i love the college lifestyle and i get to experience different culutres and different people and i am able to be myself

I have gained a new self-confidence in my experience at Cornell. After failing my first exam of the first semester, I had no confidence and was ready to quit. No longer living with my parents, it was hard for me to encourage myself that other students were in the same situation; I was used to having my parents to console with whenever I was stressed. However, as I continued onto my next exam, I realized that the reason that I had not succeeded in my first exam was my nervous attitude, not my lack of understanding of the material. By motivating myself and encouraging myself to be confident, I was able to achieve a higher, passing grade on my next test. Therefore, I am proud to say that in my college experience so far, I have not only become more confident in my own potential but realized that the motivation and ability to succeed lies within me; If I want to do well, all that I need is a positive attitude.

My college experience has truly changed my life. I entered college fearful of what awaited me, both academically and socially. I had never been that far away from home and it proved to be the most amazing learning opportunity. When I entered college, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to major in and what I was truly interested in. Through my course selection, I realized my passion lied in international relations and humanitarianism, which has greatly influenced the area of law that I want to pursue. In addition, I have found some of my best friends in my three and half years at school, people I know I will be close with years after we leave college. Their disctinct views and opinions have opened my eyes to the world around me and help me become a much more open and enlightened individual. Their desire to succeed and acquire knowledge has also pushed me to succeed and learn as much as I can in life. I am extremely grateful for my college experience and I would not change a single thing.

My college experience not only awarded me a degree, a necessity today, it also is a place where I made great relationships, learned a lot about myself, and gained hands-on experiences in areas I was interested in. Within my time at Cornell, I not only met people who traveled from Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Sweden, England, and Australia to attend. I also met people of all religions and backgrounds. By participating in a multitude of different cultural events, I now have a broadened point of view of what the world contains - the diverse experiences and points of view that exist. College was the platform at which all of these relationships were built. Additionally, I went to school very unsure of the end goal but while I was there I gained a tremendous amount of interests and enlightment. For example, after taking my first education course at Cornell, education became something I am deeply intrigued in. This unpredictable interest is currently leading the way for my future and I am working to gain an Education Law degree. The one course, a college experience filled with quality hands-on opportunities and resources, sparked this interest that will help me make an impact.