Maya Jarolem

Meet Maya

Maya knew she wanted her academic focus to be medicine, but she found the course flexibility at Cornell and the wide-ranging classes available to be integral to her learning journey. She loves having the freedom to take classes outside her major (like raptor husbandry!) to give her a more individualized academic experience. As a Florida native, she also enjoyed seeing the beauty of Ithaca’s changing seasons for the first time. 

What clubs/activities are you involved with on campus?

I am the executive vice president of the Kappa Omicron Nu Human Ecology Honors Fraternity and part of Big Red Ambassadors, Big Red Buddies, the Dean's Undergraduate Advisory Council, Human Ecology Ambassadors, Rho Psi Eta Pre-Health Sorority, and the Sandkam Research Lab.

Why is the College of Human Ecology a great fit for you?

I really like my college's approach to learning by taking an interdisciplinary standpoint. It has expanded my understanding of the world around me and makes me consider issues from points of view I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

What are your go-to campus resources? How did you discover them?

My go-to campus resources are office hours held by teaching assistants or professors. The professors post office hours of those who hold them on the Canvas class page. Anyone is free to attend. They are super helpful, and I feel better than I did going in.

What is one piece of advice or something you wish you knew when you were applying?     

I wish I knew how many unique classes there are to take while you're at Cornell. While making plans for future semesters, I noticed so many cool and interesting classes on subjects that I feel like I would never be exposed to outside of Cornell. For example, I found a raptor husbandry class I would love to take at some point before graduating.

How did you find your friends and community at Cornell?

I mainly made friends by talking to people who lived in my dorm. I lived in a social dorm my first year, which was really nice because I made friends I still have to this day.

Hometown

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Graduation Year

2025

College/School

  • College of Human Ecology

Majors

  • Human Biology, Health, and Society

Minors

  • Human Development

Pull Quote

While making plans for future semesters, I noticed so many cool and interesting classes on subjects that I feel like I would never be exposed to outside of Cornell. For example, I found a raptor husbandry class I would love to take at some point before graduating.

When you were applying, why did you choose Cornell?

I chose Cornell because I liked that the majors I was interested in had a variety of different classes to take to expand my worldview and improve my own life. I knew I wanted to select a major that had to do with medicine, but I wanted to devote myself to something other than a major solely filled with raw science classes. I appreciate Cornell's more nuanced approach to learning. 

Where is your go-to place to eat on campus, and what is your favorite thing to order?

My favorite place to eat on campus is, by far, Martha's. I always get the naan wrap with falafel, and I haven't changed my order since. It's dangerously yummy.

Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Ithaca.

I really like exploring and taking in the natural environment of Ithaca. I was born and raised in Florida, so living in Ithaca is quite the change, especially because I've never seen actual seasons change. There is a small hiking trail next to my apartment this year that is fun to explore.

Tell us about your favorite place to study.

My favorite place to study is the Cocktail Lounge in Uris Library. It's a solid place where I can focus and get my work done. The chairs are also really comfortable, and it's air-conditioned, which is nice during warmer weather.

Tell us about your favorite spot on campus or in Ithaca.

Stewart Park is one of my favorites. When the weather is nice, it's so peaceful to go and watch the sunset over the lake. Ithaca sunsets are hard to beat.