Alexandra Kimchy Settles into Cornell
As the fall season takes hold across the northeast, Alexandra Kimchy is settling into Cornell University in Ithaca. The 2010 Huntington High School graduate is thrilled with her decision to attend the Ivy League school and has already made friends with an assortment of students from across the country and world.
Referring to her first six weeks on Cornell's picturesque campus as "wonderful," Ms. Kimchy is hard at work with a challenging slate of classes. She is a biological science, pre-veterinary major in the College of Arts and Sciences. "I have to say that I couldn't have made a better college decision and I feel that Cornell is truly my second home," she said.
Loves Big School
Cornell is a sprawling, bustling place to live and study. "At first, the campus felt really huge and I needed a map to find everything, but now I wouldn't want it any other way," Ms. Kimchy said. "How many students get to walk over a beautiful waterfall everyday? When I had been searching for colleges over a year ago, I never really considered whether I wanted a small or large school, but I now that I go to such a large university, I have realized that I would not have enjoyed a small school. I get to meet new people all of the time!"
At Huntington High School, Ms. Kimchy was a top field hockey and lacrosse player and member of five honor societies, as well as the triathlon and Key clubs.
The transition from high school senior to first year college student has gone smoothly for the Huntington alum. "The upperclassmen are very welcoming to the freshman," Ms. Kimchy said. "There really is a diversity of people here and I have met so many interesting people. I have friends from California, France, Shanghi and many other places across the country and around the world."
Classes Going Well
The opening weeks of classes have gone off without a hitch for Ms. Kimchy. "This semester I am taking chemistry, cell and developmental biology, calculus and freshman writing seminar," she said. "My biology class is my favorite because it is on such an intricate and detailed level that I have never studied before. My class sizes range from 200 students to 25 students. People aren't kidding when they say the students at Cornell are very competitive, but fortunately there are plenty of resources where you can go to ask questions or get help, you just have to find them."
Ms. Kimchy has joined Cornell's club field hockey team, "which has been a great decision," she said. "We practice twice a week and have games about once a week. Club sports are definitely really great for students who are committed to their studies, but love sports. It's really great to not have to think about work and just go play."
The Huntington grad is a member of Cornell's pre-vet society, Animal Advocates and the Block and Bridle club. "We have an amazing pre-vet society here at Cornell due to the amazing vet school," Ms. Kimchy said. "At meetings there are usually students from the vet school who come and talk to us about their experiences and share advice. I have learned about opportunities to travel to areas around the world where animals need assistance and work with veterinarians in helping these animals. I am considering going to Nicaragua in the summer to assist during surgeries and to provide medical aid to cats and dogs."
Racehorse Rescue
Later this month, Ms. Kimchy will be going with fellow members of the pre-vet society to a racehorse rescue facility to provide care for the animals. "In the Animal Advocates club, I have the opportunity to go take a trip to the SPCA to walk and care for cats and dogs," she said.
In the Block and Bridle club, Ms. Kimchy has an opportunity to gain experience with large animals. The club puts on a show in the spring "and we work with the animals such as bulls and cattle to get them ready," she said.
There's always time for a little bit of fun, too. "Cornell has an amazing concert commission," Ms. Kimchy said. The rock band Phoenix played on the campus last Sunday and the Huntington alum was in the crowd.
Another piece to the college puzzle will fall into place in a few months. "In the spring, I plan on rushing a sorority the week before second semester starts in January," Ms. Kimchy said.