By: Jessica Silverman
In my senior year of high school, receiving and accepting the transfer option for the College of Human Ecology has been the best decision I had ever made. In my junior and senior years of high school, when beginning my college search, I felt energized and at home in the College of Human Ecology. I distinctly recall my profound interactions with Human Ecology Ambassadors and how their passion for the College energized and empowered me. On one fateful March evening (March 31st, as I remember it!), I was provided with a once-in-a-lifetime, unique pathway to my dream school.
Just last year, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend my freshman year at UCLA and discovered my passion for psychology and improving the human lifespan. One special course, Introductory Psychology, inspired and introduced me to the wonderful discipline of human development—and I had also learned of wonderful Cornell contributions to this discipline. For example, Edward Titchener, the founder of structuralism (a transformative school of thought), had facilitated his research as a professor at Cornell and his brain is proudly displayed at Cornell’s Wilder Brain Collection!
I initially received the transfer option for the Nutritional Sciences major (NS) in Human Ecology, but through my transformative first-year experiences with psychology at UCLA, I applied and completed the requirements for the Human Development major (HD).
I loved exploring Los Angeles as a Jersey native and it has offered me a beautiful perspective as a transfer student that I wouldn’t trade for anything. As a transfer student, I also noticed the structural differences between Cornell and UCLA, for example, I transitioned from the Quarter System to the Semester System and have loved it so far. I am also so excited to see my friends from home over different breaks!
My experiences transitioning to Cornell have been incredibly rewarding and transformative. I have made so many exciting friendships and adore my classes. An amazing element of my Human Ecology experience has been interacting with students across the ten colleges at Cornell and the amazing work they are doing. At UCLA, I was in the College of Letters and Science (L&S), similar to Cornell CAS. I have met so many incredible friends at Cornell in ILR, Hotel, Dyson, and Human Ecology, and I love hearing about all of their wonderful, multidimensional experiences and perspectives. I also love the small things, like walking to class across stunning waterfalls and gorges, always reminded of Ithaca’s beauty, and grabbing a delicious Chai before class at one of Cornell’s cafes.
I am especially empowered by my Psychology of Gender course facilitated by Professor Korfine, among many others, and I love recognizing (and shattering misconceptions) about feminism and what it means to be an advocate for equality. I also love the wonderful research my group and I are exploring in Research Methods in Human Development, led by Professor Korfine. As a transfer student, I have also loved my experiences working for Human Ecology’s Career Exploration Center (CEC) and it has helped me find my community at Cornell and I adore working with inspiring students whom I am lucky to call my classmates and peers.
As a new transfer student, adjusting to Cornell can feel scary, but Human Ecology and Cornell are here for you! From my personal experiences, moving from California to New York for college, or starting in a new environment can feel scary or unknown, but Human Ecology has provided me (and can provide you!) with so many resources and support that I have felt nothing short of excited and at home.
I recommend taking advantage of the Tatkon New Students Center (with so many amazing study spots) and networking opportunities within Cornell, such as CUeLinks. I also loved the community aspect of living on West Campus and would recommend taking advantage of the wonderful community house dinners and bonding events. I hope my experiences inspire you to trailblaze your path at Human Ecology and we would love to see you at the Career Exploration Center (CEC)!