CALS has always felt like a community to me, I think this school does an excellent job of uniting its students and provides cool opportunities I haven’t seen anywhere else.
Although there are so many great places to hangout on campus, by far my favorite place is the slope! Watching the sunset on west campus and reflecting off Cayuga lake is just so special. Every time I go to watch the sunset, I run into friends already there or make new friends on the way!
My favorite CALS moment has definitely been Ag Day on the Ag Quad. I loved seeing all of the clubs and organizations come together to show incoming students what Cornell and CALS have to offer. The animals, free food, and getting to try the famous Cornell Dairy Bar ice cream made it such a fun experience. More importantly, it showed me how welcoming and involved the CALS community is, and it was one of the first moments where I truly felt connected to Cornell.
CALS is truly a great fit for me because I love all that CALS has to offer. I love how specialized they are as I can really hone in on my passion for food science in this college! The community is amazing, and everyone is so encouraging and kind!
The Ag Quad has to be my favorite spot. From taking study breaks outside Mann Library to meeting some of my closest friends during CALS Fest, the Ag Quad has brought so many memories.
On the first day of classes, I was seated somewhat toward the front of a large lecture hall in the Animal Science building; unknowingly, the people who would go on to become my best friends were sitting beside me. Throughout the year, we kept returning to those seats, got to know each other, and formed wonderful friendships. I have found that the best way to make friends is simply to talk to people. It might feel awkward or strange, but it is important to remember that feeling is often mutual and that everyone is eager to connect and interact.
I have been passionate about the natural world and especially entomology since I was just a kid and CALS allows me to continue exploring it more professionally.
I have the passion to change the world for the better and use any knowledge I learn for the good of people around me.
I love how strongly CALS facilitates learning experiences that adhere to the mission of purpose-driven science. Such a mission constantly reminds students of the importance of the practical fieldwork offered by the college, motivates them with pride, and encourages them to look forward to their own future.
An academic highlight in my major, Environment & Sustainability, has been taking Field Methods in Avian Ecology. It was such a fun class, where we got to band birds at the Lab of Ornithology and also spend a whole day assisting at the banding station in Braddock Bay. We also had the chance to conduct a group research project that was very cool!
CALS has given me the opportunity to pursue a unique combination of majors in Food Science and Environment & Sustainability. The interconnectedness of the college has made it possible to embrace both fields while still having the flexibility to explore individual courses that spark my curiosity. What has made this journey even more rewarding is the community behind it, from professors and faculty to fellow students, everyone has been incredibly supportive of my path.
A highlight for me within my major was an experience I had in Oral Communication class. I was chosen to be in the Eastman Rice Debate where I was placed in a group and had to debate against three other teams. This was a great experience for me because I was able to practice my speaking skills, and become more comfortable with debates. This helped me developed better communication skills with the support of my professor and peers.
CALS is a great fit for me because of my learning style. Being an animal science major means actual experience working with animals and husbandry skills are incredibly important to my future career. The great thing about animal science at CALS is that you are hands on from day one of classes. I remember going into lab on my very first day of class as a freshman and already working with cows, horses, pigs, and chickens. Choosing to major in animal science at CALS has given me hands on experiences I would not have gained anywhere else.
I am a good fit for CALS because I always want to expand my studies. With so many diverse departments, you can connect almost any interest to your own. Whether it is honey bee biology or environmental law, I am always excited to apply what I learn to my interests!
I love how CALS is super hands on! It prepares students to become change-makers and implant solutions for pressing problems by analyzing agricultural and scientific outcomes.