Siboney Diaz-Sanchez '10
From her inner-city public school in San Antonio, Texas, Siboney Diaz-Sanchez thought Cornell seemed very far away- and not just in miles. "We thought it was cold when it got to 50 degrees in San Antonio, and I came from a high school that was probably 70 to 80 percent Hispanic. It was different from Cornell in just about every way you could imagine!"
Siboney Diaz-Sanchez '10
She found Cornell when she researched architecture schools. Her high school funded trips to two universities, and she applied to both. Although she spent less time at Cornell, "I immediately felt comfortable here," she says. "I went to Rand Hall and spoke with a couple of architects. I was surprised by how easy it was to talk with the faculty." She knew of Cornell's fine reputation in architecture, and she was taken with the beauty of the campus and the area.
An offer came from the other university first, and their offer of financial aid arrived the same day that she received her acceptance to Cornell. "I wanted to come here, but I didn't know if it would be possible. Then the financial aid package arrived, and it was very generous, and I realized yes! I could come here." Annual Fund donations provided a significant portion of her scholarships.
Even before she arrived, she was "scared about coming here. No one from my school applied to Cornell or any schools like it. I didn't know anyone here, or even anyone who knew anyone!" Her fears were quickly allayed once she arrived. "My major is small, so I grew very close to people. Now I know some people here better than others I've known for many years." She counts several professors among her friends.
She expected a rigorous, difficult program, and those expectations proved accurate. Fortunately, she had attended a summer architecture program while she was in high school and realized that the work load would be heavy. So she is not surprised to be spending long days- and often nights, too- in the studio. What really makes a difference, though, is that "everyone is really helpful. They take time with me and want to hear about what I'm going through."
Another rich part of her experience is cultural. "In architecture, there's such appreciation for different cultures." In Rand Hall, she meets and works with individuals from Korea, Greece, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Bulgaria, and elsewhere, gaining a truly global perspective.
In addition to the many hours she spends perfecting her drawings and models, Siboney works in a Cornell Fitness Center gym as part of her work-study program. She also babysits to earn extra money. And she makes time to contribute to the university as an Ambassador for Cornell Days and an Orientation leader.
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