Jack Lynch
Evanston, Illinois
With urban planning not being the easiest major to find at the undergraduate level across the U.S., visiting the AAP building with its urban maps strung throughout the hallways made it the perfect marriage for me.
Why did you choose Cornell and AAP?
From the first day that I stepped foot on campus for a tour, I knew that Cornell was where I wanted to spend my next four years. Everything about the university seemed to fit perfectly; the academic atmosphere, the gorgeous topography, and of course, AAP. With urban planning not being the easiest major to find at the undergraduate level across the U.S., visiting the AAP building with its urban maps strung throughout the hallways made it the perfect marriage for me. Finally, the ability to take classes in a variety of schools that all lead back to the urban planning field appealed greatly to me as I hope to diversify the knowledge and education I receive.
What inspired you to join the field of city and regional planning?
In seventh grade, two architects presented as part of a career day — and instantly I knew I wanted to study within that field. I eventually chose my high school because of its three-year architecture curriculum, and as I completed projects during those three classes I realized that my specific interest actually lies in urban environments and particularly public transportation and its effects on cities and neighborhoods. With the field growing rapidly, I could not be more excited to study city and regional planning.
What are your extracurricular interests and how have you incorporated them into your college life?
Running; I ran cross country and track throughout high school and during the same period worked retail in a running specialty store. I also love practicing Spanish and am close to becoming fluent in the language. Furthermore, I have spent the last four years as a tour guide in my high school and hope to do the same at Cornell; I love leading others.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time at AAP and after graduation?
With urban planning growing every day as cities expand and climate change demands sustainable policies, I hope to gain the necessary tools to become a transportation planner in a major city. Chicago, Boston, and New York City have always caught my eye as potential fits for my interests, but I also hope to study abroad (preferably in Scandinavia) while at AAP. I want to take classes in a multitude of fields in order to understand the complex issues of our society, but ultimately want to focus on planning as I aim to impact cities for years to come.
