Dear Uncle Ezra - Questions for Thursday, January 13, 2005

Dear Claire,

I asked Nathan Hunter, our ASP Safety Specialist in the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. He says that "there are really no established health risks of using fluorescent lights, though they have to be disposed of properly because of the small amount of mercury found in the bulbs. Studies have shown that the health hazard from UV radiation from these lights in negligible - an 8 hour exposure to the lights is similar to standing outdoors for 10 minutes.

As far as general comfort levels, buzzing and poor light could be an issue. If there is a light that is buzzing loudly or flickering, the facility coordinator (or landlord) should be contacted to have the light or ballast replaced.

"Fluorescent lights are used through out campus because they convert electricity into illumination three to five times as efficiently as incandescent lights. Lamp life is nearly 8 times longer than incandescent lights and generate considerably less heat."

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I am currently a junior Communication major and I am studying abroad in the Spring of 05. With a curiosity in exploring government service, a friend of mine recommended earlier this Fall 2004 semester that I study through Cornell in Washington in the Fall of 2005, my senior year fall, which essentially means a year of off campus study. Also, when my friend suggested CIW to me early this semester, I was all for it because I felt that I haven't found a social circle of friends since I've been here freshman year, and CIW would be a good opportunity to. However, this semester was a huge change for me socially. I've begun to build closer friendships and even a romantic relationship. It's made it tougher for me to decide whether I should go for a year, or just a semester. I've talked to almost everyone and have had mixed suggestions. Some people tell me to stay because of social reasons and that it will be difficult to adjust back the last semester and have to leave. Then of course, there's the benefits of career networking and the academics from CIW. My heart tells me to stay because there's a college experience on campus that I don't want to miss with friends, but my mind tells me to go because of academics. I'm not sure what to do...can you please Help! thank you, John

Dear John,

How to reconcile the heart and the mind is the question of the ages. It is a necessary balancing act, and a process you will come to trust as you take your own lead in creating your life, towards long-term goals that only you know best. This is where friends can offer opinions but not really "advise", for each person has different goals, balance points, and tolerance levels.

You need to negotiate with yourself about how you will get all of your needs met without shortshrifting a part of you that is growing. For example, can you be in Washington and invite friends down or come back to visit in Ithaca? Can you stay in Ithaca and get a similar experience to CIW? Have you contacted CU Abroad or CIW to see if there are students you can speak with who also spent a year away from Cornell?

Other questions you may ask yourself are: How will this help me in my career goals? How will it help me build a credible resume (that also might say, I take learning seriously)?

What are your concerns? Do you think you'll meet new people in Washington (positive thinking) or that you'll feel lonely and isolated (negative thinking)? If you fear the latter, then what can you do to problem-solve that concern?

It also helps to look at assumptions - for example, some people assume their friends will be around, and come to find that others are off pursuing their own future, also. It's a developmental stage, not an anomaly.

I hope you will search your heart and mind and carry them both with you into your own bright and positive-thinking future!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I have been depressed a lot lately and I don't know what to do. I just graduated from Cornell with a degree in Economics. I fell in love with a girl pretty soon after I stepped on to campus. After four years,
I feel like she's the one. Here's the problem. She wants to be a vet and hopes to get in to Cornell's Vet School next year, my guess is that she will get in and her other alternative, Penn is a lot more expensive. I am from here and figured I would move on after college. But.. now she's back home in NJ while I am here at Cornell working at a job I don't like. There don't seem to be many good jobs around here for someone with just a bachelor's and I don't know about uprooting myself either closer to her this year or somewhere else when I figure she'll get into Cornell and I want to be with her. I want to have a career that I can be happy about but I don't even know what career that would be. I want to try a job that might develop into something good, but then I can't stand the idea of not living with her for four years. I used to just apply to jobs and I got a couple of offers but they weren't close to her now or in the future. I like the idea of being involved in a small business or in finance or in law, but where are those jobs around here? I take personality type tests to try to determine my career type but the results don't seem to mesh with things I can easily do are that I really want to do. Also, should I be satisfied with being an introvert? I rather be friendly and around people but am not always the best with that stuff. I know this is like a million problems.. but, I just want to try something and see where it takes me but I want to be with my girlfriend which is probably going to mean being around Ithaca next year. But there's no jobs, the only options are grad school in things I find interesting but I have no shot since my grades are good but not great and I don't have professors that will go to bat for me and I am not even exactly sure where that will take me. Doing temp jobs at Cornell just depresses me b/c I feel like my talents are being wasted on things I don't enjoy and that I could be doing better things with my life.

There's like a million problems here, I guess, but I just want a career and be near my girlfriend/future wife...

Dear grad,

Cornell's Career Center can help you think about your possibilities. Their career library would be a good place to start. It sounds to me that you are limiting yourself with too many restrictions based on things that haven't even happened. You need to take care of yourself and get yourself in a good position by building a resume and skills and experience. When you have a solid idea of your next step, either because your girlfriend moves here or there or because of a job or school for you, then you can afford to turn down other possibilities. You are too young to waste your time or talents, and it is unfair and disrespectful to yourself. I hope your girlfriend will be as supportive of your career journey as you will be of hers. If not, is it a viable relationship?

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
My roommate has terrible body odor. Her feet smell repulsive and she rarely showers. Also,
her laundry piles up in the room that only aggravates the stench of our room. I don't know if it has to do with her culture or if she just doesn't realize the problem. How can I bring this up without hurting her feelings? I am a very clean person; on the application here, I even requested a clean roommate (which I obviously didn't get). I have a friend who has offered to switch rooms, but I don't want to hurt my roomie's feelings because she can be sensitive. Any advice or suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Amara

Dear Amara,

Surprisingly or not, I have heard this problem before. Some people do sweat more in their feet, but it could just be a matter of the wrong footwear, such as socks or shoes that don't breathe. The best breatheable fabrics are cotton and Gore-tex, and there are new ones being developed that are as good or better. Athletic suppliers are good places to check. Did she come from a country where she always wore sandals? Maybe you and she could go shoe-shopping, either at the mall or through a catalogue or online. Then you can discuss the pros and cons of various footwear.

Do you have an RA who can help you address this problem? You will need to learn some communication skills to help you express your feelings without anger or blaming. "I" statements are the best way to start out, showing that you are owning your response to the situation. For example: "I am uncomfortable (best to downplay the severity of your feelings sometimes) with piled up laundry and odors (you don't need to specify) in our room." Be sure to make eye contact to communicate the seriousness of the problem - basically that you are very upset. It can show in your eyes without words to highlight it. Then you can ask her to help problem-solve with you. "What do you think we can do so our room can be liveable for each of us, given our different styles?" (This may come after some discussion that its not a priority for her, etc.) You might put out suggestions like a laundry basket, more frequent washing, opening windows. Then you and she can choose the best solution.

As for the feet, now you have a better feeling about how she will take this kind of communication. However, you may be doing her a favor in the long run if you point out this problem now before she turns other people off. In this way, you are her friend rather than someone wanting to hurt her. Hopefully, she will be able to tell the difference. Remember, it is all a part of growing up and learning to live with others. Good luck.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I was recently accepted to the College of Engineering early decision, and am thrilled about the opportunity to attend Cornell. At the time I was accepted, I had an unweighted GPA of approximately 3.8. Unfortunately, my courses this year are harder than I expected. I ended up with a C+ first marking period in AP Bio, but it's up to a B+ this marking period. My other courses are in the A or B range and my grades seem to be improving, but I'm afraid that my Midyear Report will be below Cornell's expectations.

My questions are...
How much of a GPA drop in senior year becomes dangerous?
How many people get rescinded each year?
Could I be rescinded based solely on a Midyear Report, or will only my final grades be judged?

Thanks,
Accepted But Nervous

Dear Nervous/Excited,

Congratulations and welcome. Acceptance is contingent, of course, on your satisfactorily completing any school work now in progress, and continuing to uphold high standards of character in activities outside the classroom. We encourage students who encounter difficulties to contact the admissions office. Try to keep your focus and save full-blown senioritis for break weeks.

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I am a 10th grade American living in Korea. I attend a Korean high school and I speak Korean. All my courses are in Korean.

I want to go to University in America and I would like to know more about entrance requirements. For example,
as a native English speaker, there are some subjects that are very challenging for me at school like Korean History and Ancient Korean Literature. My results on these subjects will bring down my GPA substantially. Would schools take my language handicap into account when or if I would apply?
Also, what kinds of things do admissions officers look for in a student of my situation. What kinds of things should I focus on now, and what will give me an edge? How important are SAT scores and essays?
I’m just curious about what I should be doing now and how I should prepare for college. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Emilie Debacker

Dear American Abroad,

Good for you for thinking ahead. Does your school have guidance counselors? In America, the high school guidance department maintains a library of college catalogues and the counselors can help you understand the requirements and plan to meet them. Make sure you explain your situation in your application. However, I believe that your essay will indicate how you have benefited from your multicultural experience, and that far outweighs any handicaps. Check our Admissions webpage for SAT information, or look in the Ezra archives. Have a great high school experience!

Uncle Ezra

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I actually wanted to provide you with an answer to one of the questions posted on your site in regard to razor hair cuts. My name is Jonathan Flanigan and I have just opened an upscale hair salon in college town called City Style Hair Salon. One of our specialties is the razor cutting technique. I currently have 3 highly trained stylist that are constantly taking cutting and coloring classes to stay up to date on the latest styles and trends. We offer reasonable rates for all of our services and have so far received excellent feedback from our student clientelle. Anyone interested in more information can visit our website at www.citystylesalon.com. Having just returned to Ithaca after spending 5 years in Los Angeles I understand how difficult and frustrating it can be to find a good stylist in Ithaca. Hopefully this will help people with their search. thank you!

best,
jonathan flanigan

Dear Uncle Ezra,
I belong to a volunteer EMS unit in Cundy's Harbor,
ME, and came upon Mr. Max Schmidt. He claimed to be a past President (or other official) of Cornell in the 1940-1950s, and had memorabilia to prove it. I was wondering if you could offer any more information regarding which office he held and his years of service. Thank you for your assistance!

Dear Naval assistant,

I believe that you are referring to Mr. Max Schmitt '24. A true Cornellian, he worked for the university as the director of alumni affairs, set up the first regional office, located in New York City, and the university's first Southeast Regional Office. Mr. Schmitt has been a leader for his class (1924) over the years, serving many roles including secretary, treasurer and president. He is also a lifetime member of the Cornell University Council. May we all capture some of that Big Red spirit!

Uncle Ezra

hello,
for human ecology students, is there gonna be another math assessment test time being offered for a retest to fill the math requirement?

Dear hum ec student,

The Math Assessment Exam is on Tuesday, January 18th from 9:00 am-12:00 pm in 280 MVR Hall, or the Make-up Exam is on Friday, January 21st from 1:30 - 4:30 pm in 280.

3 hours are allowed for this exam, but many students finish in less time. No calculators may be used.

If students want more information, they can call (5-2532), e-mail (humec_students@cornell.edu ) or drop by the Office of Admissions, Student and Career Development in 172 MVR.

Uncle Ezra