Grace O’Malley
Cleveland, Ohio
AAP is a unique place where I know that I will be able to explore and be surrounded by peers and professors who will push me to do so. It’s a wonderful environment where I feel motivated to create and experiment.
Why did you choose Cornell and AAP?
I originally came to know AAP through the Introduction to Architecture Program at Cornell’s Summer College (CUSC). I’ve always been interested in design, art, and engineering; however, the six-week study caught me by surprise, pushing me to explore architecture from its roots and think spatially while conceptualizing ideas. I became interested in studying architecture, specifically because it is about understanding contextually. AAP is a unique place where I know that I will be able to explore and be surrounded by peers and professors who will push me to do so. It’s a wonderful environment where I feel motivated to create and experiment.
What are your extracurricular interests and how have you incorporated them into your college life?
I love being outside! Anything from camping and hiking to paddling and relaxation with friends is time well spent. I also enjoy sketching, writing, and playing guitar. For me, trying things is a great way to pass the time, and I’m always looking to do something new and exciting.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time at AAP and after graduation?
AAP is where I’ll investigate the world around me. There is so much I have yet to learn, and I am looking forward to bouncing ideas off of my peers and professors. Architecture itself is dynamic because there are so many layers having to do with time period, identity, and purpose. It is my intention to understand where physical, abstract, and societal spaces come from, where they are going, and why they are changing. What I will accomplish at AAP is growth in many different areas! After all, education is manifold: learning, understanding, responding, and doing so with an amazing group of people.
