INDEPENDENT SINCE 1880
The Corne¬ Daily Sun Vol. 138, No. 63
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022
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8 Pages – Free
ITHACA, NEW YORK
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Enemies to Lovers
Tough Run
Slightly Cloudy
Kiki Plowe ’25 shares her thoughts about the new season of Bridgerton, a period romance on Netflix. | Page 5
Women’s softball took on its first Ivy League series, beating Columbia in only one match out of three games. | Page 8
HIGH: 63º LOW: 43º
Cornell Welcomes Prospective Class of 2026 By CARLIN REYEN Sun Staff Writer
As yet another year rolls around, a new college admissions cycle has recruited the next group of future Cornell students: The Class of 2026. On Monday, April 11, the University announced that it had admitted a total 4,908 applicants from both Regular and Early Decision pools, noting a “talented and diverse” class from “a broader range of places than ever before.” Admitted students represent 85 countries and all 50 U.S. states including Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Guam; American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, 57.7 percent of admitted students identifying as underrepresented minorities self-identified as students of color and 19.9 percent of admits will be first-generation college students. Director of Undergraduate Admissions Shawn Felton attributed the diversity of the admitted Class of 2026 to virtual events which enabled the University to reach
students in an array of places. “This expanded audience, due to greater access, speaks to the founding of the university — the diversity of person, practice and thought — that makes us who we are,” Felton said in a University press release. In December 2021, many incoming students received acceptances to the University under the Early Decision
program, marking a rewarding end to the often-stressful college admissions process. “Honestly, I felt more relieved than anything after I got in Early Decision,” said Jerry Wang, an admitted student from Germantown, Maryland. See ADMISSIONS page 3
First-Years Use Spring Break to Reflect on Initial Semesters By SOFIA CHIERCHIO Sun Staff Writer
Many students use spring break, a weeklong period in which students take a break from their rigorous schedules to relax before the end of the academic year, as an opportunity to escape the frigid Ithaca weather,
others to visit family and friends. For some first-year students, the break served as an opportunity to reflect on their first year at Cornell. Vindhya Kathuria ’25, an international student from Copenhagen, Denmark, used her vacation to travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to escape her school-related stress.
“I purposely didn’t bring my laptop with me so I wouldn’t be tempted to work during break. I feel that I was finally able to properly relax,” Kathuria said. “I do realize, however, that I am fortunate not to have prelims as soon as I return from break, which isn’t the case for most students.” Unlike Kathuria, Aneesha Kodati ’25 did
not find the break to be long enough for her to fully relax. “I traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Bhangra team, which was so much fun, but I do feel like a little more time would’ve helped,” Kodati said. “In college I barely See SPRING BREAK page 2
Hundreds Hail Return of Dragon Tradition Past is present | Below: After two years’ absence, the first-year architects’ dragon — this one double-headed — makes its annual circuit around central campus on Friday, April 1. Right: Upperclass architects celebrate by dressing up as sunflowers and classical columns.
CLAIRE LI / SUN ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
TWO IMAGES ABOVE: JULIA NAGEL / SUN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR