Being a Cornell Engineer isn’t only about taking classes, but also about working and interacting with other students, both in and outside of the engineering college. One of the most notable activities is project teams. Taking classes really focuses on giving you the foundation you need to understand important concepts in different engineering fields, but it usually doesn’t offer as many chances to apply that knowledge to real, physical projects. I joined a project team called Cornell Cup Robotics in my freshman year, and even though I was still new to developing large software projects at the time, I was immediately integrated into teams working on core features for the robot we were developing. I really appreciated being able to work on major parts of the project, all while learning about the tools commonly used in the industry. Another nice perk is that many project teams usually have large lab spaces, which are also open outside of regular club meetings, making it a perfect study spot!
Tag: community (Page 1 of 2)
Project Team: Cornell University Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (CUAUV)
For many of us on CUAUV, we have found our team to be like family. Every meeting is surrounded by an atmosphere of genuine curiosity for learning as well as light-hearted humor. Project teams at Cornell all offer this same type of experience: they allow students to practice their knowledge in real-life projects while finding your friends in the process. But for CUAUV at least, our experience goes beyond this. Many of our members have received full-time jobs from their experience through our large alumni network and sponsor relationships. Members have also found study partners for many of the classes they share and are able to depend on each other for advice. And, yes, we also have found our life-long friends here
My favorite non-engineering class is Nutrition, Health, and Society. I found the course extremely interesting and relevant to my everyday life. The core lesson of the class is one I feel every student at Cornell should learn — how you can live the longest, healthiest life possible.
Allison is from Palatine, Illinois and is studying Materials Science and Engineering and minoring in Fiber Science. She intends to pursue graduate school and a career in the Aerospace and Defense industries. Outside of the classroom and undergraduate research, Allison is a member of the Cornell University Unmanned Air Systems (CUAir), contributing to the materials selection and manufacturing of an unmanned aircraft. Her favorite place on campus is sunset at the Libe Slope overlook.
I specifically chose Cornell Engineering for three reasons: the students, curriculum, and project teams. When I visited Cornell and went on tours, I also attended a physics class. I immediately noticed that the students were passionate about what they were learning. Not only that, but they were eager to support others. Even though the students are all trying to get the best grade as possible, I noticed that they are still willing to go out of their way to help their peers.
Going to college isn’t only about the classes that one can take, it’s also about the opportunities that one can pursue outside of class. Luckily, Cornell has no shortage of these opportunities. As a freshman engineer, I remember being overwhelmed by all the activities and teams that were available; having just arrived, I wasn’t expecting to have such a wide selection of opportunities immediately available to me. But I took advantage of it, and joined one of the project teams, called Cornell Cup Robotics.
One of my favorite spots on campus to study is in the Experiential Learning Lab (ELL). Most engineers on campus have come to know the ELL to be the home of many project teams, including mine, Cornell University Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (CUAUV).
Like most other project team members, if you ask me if I love my experience on my project team I would reply “yes” followed by “oh, and our application link is here, you definitely should apply!”. I, like many others, love my team. And even more so, I adore all of the activities I am involved with on campus.
Campus organizations are an integral part of the Cornell experience. However, as a Senior who has transitioned from an interviewee to an interviewer for many of my own organizations, I find it hard not to discuss my own experiences for how I ended up where I am today.
My typical day during the pandemic consists of fewer in-person activities than before the pandemic, but we are very lucky at Cornell that we have successfully pulled off a hybrid model and still have some in-person opportunities! Typically, I wake up and take any morning classes I have at home. I also try to take a break where I can run or go on a walk with a friend in the mornings (see picture). My afternoons are more variable, depending on whether or not I have something in person. If I have to go into lab, or if I have an in-person discussion or lab class, I usually go to Duffield with my friends to study before and after my in-person activity. If not, I stay home to study. Then I usually eat dinner with my roommates, or get takeout with some friends, and proceed to do my homework or club activities over Zoom. If I don’t have too much work, I try to bake or watch Netflix with my roommates.
Hi! My name is Robyn, and I’m Assistant Director of Admissions in the College of Engineering. One of my favorite things about Cornell Engineering is the strong community of students, staff, and faculty that come from truly diverse backgrounds. At Cornell, participating in a community so rich in life experiences will enhance your own experience as a student, collaborator, and leader.
When I moved into my new residence hall on the first day of orientation week, I quickly discovered the community of North Campus. Before arriving for my freshman year, I had been nervous that I couldn’t pick which residence hall I would live in and worried about making friends. However, I soon realized that all the freshman residence halls are clustered around a big, open green space and three big buildings — Robert Purcell Community Center (RPCC), Appel Commons, and Helen Newman Hall — filled with dining halls, gyms, and study spaces. On that first day I was able to meet so many people from different residence halls and continued to make friends throughout the orientation week events. As we spent time with new friends, played Frisbee on the fields, and enjoyed the start of college, North Campus became our home.