Sara Papale '26

Sara grew up in Upstate New York on a local produce farm which allowed her to explore various agricultural and biological studies throughout her high school career. She is currently a junior majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in general biology. Sara hopes to take a gap year after graduating before heading to medical school and gain clinical experience and pursue more shadowing opportunities. She believes it is very important to watch and learn the work she hopes to do one day. Last summer, Sara had the great opportunity to shadow a cardiothoracic surgeon which allowed her to gain significant knowledge into the cardiothoracic realm. Along with shadowing during her summers she promotes her Non-Profit organization, The Hopeful Four, which focuses on providing relief funds to families in need. She also has been a part of the Child Play and Learning Lab at Cornell for two years which focuses primarily on cognitive-motor and physical assessments while children learn and play. Sara is currently working on the Ocean Rotating Project where she studies the mental rotation of the children’s toys as well as their placement in relation to the activity they are participating in. Sara is also a member of Cornell Red Cross and Alpha Phi Executive Board. Some activities she likes to do in her free time are hiking through the Adirondacks, knitting, and hanging out with her friends. She tries very hard to maintain a regulated schedule by prioritizing time for herself that doesn't always involve schoolwork, and she hopes to inform students to do the same. 

 Sara's words of encouragement for incoming freshmen:

“"It is ok to feel lost at first but trying to figure out where you fit here at Cornell and meeting new people is the best part. Take in the nerves, take in the new people, and enjoy it because once you start it flies by. When it comes to academics, especially pre-med, it is ok to go at your own pace. Learning faster or slower does not make people worse or better than their peers.  It is ok to not take 6 really hard classes all at once, pace yourself and enjoy your time here. In the beginning it will seem like a lot of work, the classes, and homeworks, and requirements but don't worry as long as you keep on top of your work, it will all work out!"

College: CALS

Tutoring: BIOG 1500, BIOMI 2911, BIOMI 2900, CHEM 1570, BIOEE 1780, BIONB 3220, BIOMG 1290, BIONB 4200 

Email: sfl35 [at] cornell.edu (srp245@)cornell.edu