Cornell College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: International Relations
Minor: Religion
Student Self Identifies as: Biracial – Black and Latina Straight Female
Summary
I’m in the Student Senate, Greek life, the Black Awareness Cultural Organization, Union Latinx, and I’m in Mock Trial.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Biracial – Black and Latina
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Private high school in the Dominican Republic, but I’m from New Jersey. There was a graduating class of 20 people, and there was a culture of going to college in the United States.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: International Relations
Minor: Religion
Extracurricular Activities: I’m in the Student Senate, Greek life, the Black Awareness Cultural Organization, Union Latinx, and I’m in Mock Trial.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
Yes. One of the first things I tried out since I got here and haven’t left is Mock Trial. It gave me that first group of friends, a sense of belonging, and the confidence to try out more things and join more groups.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
I usually have two research papers due within that 18-day period. I’m in a politics class for my major and I’ve only had one test. There are other classes in my major where I’ve had no test because they’re more research-based classes.
How do you like the Block Plan and how has it impacted your experience?
The Block Plan is where we have a semester worth of information in 18 days of one class. It’s a love-hate relationship, but it works for me. I work well in a very faced-paced and focused work environment, however, there are times I hate it because I have a 10-page paper due the next day after it’s assigned, and a test the next day after that. It’s kind of heavy in the first few blocks for someone coming from a semester-based plan, but after that it’s okay.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
I wish we had more professors. As of now we only have two [core faculty members]. I wish it was bigger so it would be easier to get ahold of them. They’re really good at providing writing support academically. If you’re ever having a rough time in class, the professors are always there to be with you one-on-one. I haven’t been in a class of more than 12 students.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think it’s a little bit of both. There is some competitiveness because everyone here is very smart, so we’re on top of our game. Everyone is looking to get the most out of classes and grades. I’m also very collaborative because we have a lot of study groups and tutors available.
How accessible are your professors?
They’re very accessible. Usually, they like advanced notice, but once you send them an email they’re very accessible. Many of them live in the town which is great. Some of them will meet you on campus, at their house, or a café downtown.
Do you feel that people are open to multiple schools of thought in the classroom?
The campus is a liberal campus, so different ideas aren’t necessarily not accepted, but you might get a cold shoulder if your school of thought is a little far off.
Why did you pick your major? Are you happy with your choice?
Ever since I was young, I always said I wanted to work in D.C., specifically with foreign policy in the State Department as a diplomat. It was a no brainer for me, and I’m beyond happy with my major.
Reasons to Attend
1) The block plan for sure.
2) The student-professor ratio. [The faculty-student ratio is 1:12.]
3) The effective communication with faculty and staff.
4) The environment and personality.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you’re looking for a racially diverse student population. [20% are students of color.]
2) We don’t have many amenities around.
3) The weather is horrible. We don’t have much of a fall.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Tarr Hall with one roommate
Sophomore: Merner Hall with one roommate
Junior: Merner Hall with one roommate
Senior: Off-campus house with five roommates
How was transitioning from your hometown to Mount Vernon, IA?
It was very difficult for me, but it got better and better. It’s a very rural and small town. The closest Walmart is about a 20-minute drive away. I think the hospitality and kindness people offer you in town as a college student is very rewarding. It changes your point of view, that yes you might be in the middle of nowhere but they’re very nice and kind people.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
It’s a really safe town. I think our crime rate is [very low]. I’ve never heard of anything happening. I’m not afraid to walk around town at whatever time. [See Cornell, IA’s crime statistics here.]
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
There are lots of events on campus. If you’re part of Greek life, there’s a lot to do. If you’re part of clubs, there are lots of events clubs put on. That could be comedy events, game night, or a performer, and those are mostly on-campus activities. I personally like going to the movie theater. There’s a small movie theatre town that’s cheap and they bring in all the current movies. If not, I’ll drive into Iowa City and we’ll go to a club or something which is about a 30-minute drive.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife?
Greek life here is pretty good. If you’re part of a Greek group, I’d say every other weekend you have events. Greek life tries to not have social events during finals, but if it’s first or second week there’s probably a social you can go to. We’re big on having social parties with other Greek groups.
What have been some of your favorite times at Cornell College?
One of my favorite times would have to be early when we get back in August. We have nice outdoor events, and there’s a club on campus that puts on student activities. They put on an end of the summer water-slide event on campus. Other nice events are the Greek formals. They’re really fun because you get to go off-campus for a weekend. It’s a nice time to hang out with your friends.
How happy are you with the weekend options? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I wish everything was a lot closer and I didn’t feel like I was in the middle of nowhere. I’m fine because I have a car. If you’re okay with the small-town vibe, you’ll probably have a lot of fun even without a car.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
I got my roommate’s assignment before getting on campus, and I’ve been living with her for the last four years. I met my other best friend through Mock Trial.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Cornell?
It’s pretty current. We pretty much have a study-hard, party-hard situation. We study hard during the week, but on the weekend, we try to keep it low-key but still have fun.
To what extent do you think people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
It’s pretty diverse and inclusive in terms of sexual orientation. I can’t say that we’re that diverse regarding race. We’re a pretty small group of students. We definitely intersect with students of various races, but we always tend to go with the group we feel most comfortable with. [The undergraduate population is 71% White, 8% Hispanic, 6% Black, and 3% Asian.]
How would you describe the African American or Hispanic community on campus? How strong is it?
There are very few of us, but I tend to keep myself very balanced between the two. Both groups hang out with each other which makes it a lot easier for me because I’m not giving my time to one more than the other.
How do you like the size of Cornell in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How was transitioning to a school with [about 1,000] students?
I love it. There’s just something about being in a class with five other students where you learn better. It’s a better one-on-one situation. [The average class has 14 students.]
How would you describe the student body?
Pretty outgoing, nice, and really hospitable. I think a lot of people are from the Midwest, so we have that niceness.
Do people generally seem happy with Cornell by senior year? Do people leave loving Cornell?
Generally, they do. Obviously, not everything is great, but I haven’t heard a big fuss about leaving Cornell and hating it or not wanting to come back.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Yes. They have a big internship and career situation offered by alumni. I just had an internship this year that was referred to me by an alum.
What have you used the career office for? How helpful have they been?
They help you with resumes, getting internships, or getting jobs. They help with funding for internships too.
Financial Aid
Have you used financial aid? If so, accommodating was the office to your needs?
Financial aid is very responsive here. They’re located in a small building on campus. Sometimes you don’t even need an appointment, you can walk into the office and speak with someone.