Hey, my name is Tahm. I'm a rising Junior at Cornell, majoring in religious studies. I've had a somewhat unconventional experience here. I spent my first year at Cornell, and then took two gap years to read the classics and work at a cattle ranch at a place called Deep Springs College. Right now, I'm a resident at the Telluride house, a scholarship house on campus where Francis Fukuyama, Paul Wolfowitz, and Richard Feynman stayed. A fun fact about me is that I'm super into the tunnels on campus and know a lot about Cornell history. Cornell was the first school with elective courses, and its motto "any person...any study" really rings true. My brother went to Columbia so I can also offer a little perspective on our differing experiences.

Hometown

I grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota, but I also did my junior year of high school in Amman, Jordan.

Major(s)

Religious Studies

Minor(s)

Southeast Asian Studies

Clubs, organizations & involvement

I was part of an a cappella group, an improv comedy group, a co-op, and a

Describe your college experience

I love Cornell. In high school, I really wanted to go to a small liberal arts college because I thought it was the best place to get a good education. Luckily, however, my brother persuaded me to go to Cornell. At Cornell, I've met amazing people and been given a breadth of resources that I would not have otherwise been afforded to me. Cornell is also a very unique institution. I would not have been given as much freedom to explore at other universities.

Tip for future students

Get close to your professors and treat education as an ends to itself, rather than a means to a good job or prestigious master's program.

Favorite class

My freshman writing seminar on love. My professor was a former human rights lawyer turned anthropologist.

Career goals

Either law school, public service, or strategy consulting.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Laughing late with friends.

High school or secondary school

Thomas Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Previous college

I took two years off to study at Deep Springs College, a private two-year institution.