Engineering Spotlight- May 2006

We present to you the second Engineering Spotlight of 2006, a regular publication of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Columbia University! Columbia Engineering students are unique; they are not only talented scientists, but also humanists, artists, athletes and leaders. We’d like to introduce you to one among many of the intriguing individuals who have joined us on campus.

Sarah Clarke, Columbia Engineering '07.

Meet Sarah Clarke

Where else can you meet a harpist in the ROTC who helped build a Formula 500 racecar from scratch? Columbia Engineering Junior Sarah Clarke answered our questions about her life at Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS).

1. What is your background?

Hometown: Sudbury, MA
High School: Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
In high school I was on the gymnastics team and was captain my senior year. I was always very involved in the school band (clarinet) and orchestra (harp) and was the principle harpist all four years in the District and All-State Orchestras. I was also a member of the Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

2. What inspired your interest in Operations Research?

I had no family connections to engineering at all but when I was in middle school, I went to Explorations Summer Program at another college for summer camp and was initially interested in architecture. One of the instructors I met suggested that I look into engineering, and the idea stuck with me.

3. What inspired your interest in your particular major in Mechanical Engineering (MECE)?

I love cars and had initially decided to do mechanical engineering in undergrad and then concentrate in automotive engineering for grad school. Once I got into MECE, I realized that I really enjoy it and will probably go to grad school for MECE as well.

4. What attracted you to Columbia?

Columbia Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) display their race car during events all over campus. The car will have its track debut during a major competition in Michgan.

I began looking at Columbia after taking the PSATs and receiving information about Columbia Engineering. I came to visit that summer and absolutely loved the campus. I also really liked that the program was small and you could get to know your peers and professors well.

5. Describe which college activities have been of particular importance to you.

Well, I am in the Columbia University Orchestra as the first harpist and 2007 Class Treasurer for the Engineering Student Council . Also, I was just elected to be the president of Columbia’s chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) next year.

Also, the most important things I have experienced since starting college, I have experienced as a member of Army ROTC , which I was heavily involved in for my first two years of college. I am also part of a military organization called Pershing Rifles which I still train with even though I am no longer in ROTC. Being involved in the military and being in leadership positions has changed me so much and has made me a much more confident, outgoing person.

6. What have been your favorite courses and professors at Columbia and why?

My favorite class so far has probably been computer graphics and design because we're learning the CAD program Pro Engineer which will be extremely useful as soon as I graduate.

My favorite professors has been Professor David Vallencourt from the Electrical Engineering (EE) department. He is always so nice and understanding and does everything he can to help his students do well. This was his first year teaching at Columbia since he just left the EE industry, so he had a lot of great practical experience he could share with us.

Sarah was a member of the Army ROTC during her first two years at Columbia and is still active in Pershing Rifles.

7. What are your favorite things to do on campus?

I really enjoy just sitting outside in the nice weather and enjoying the campus. I'm originally from the suburbs so I was amazed that, if you feel like it sometimes, you can be on campus and almost feel like you're not actually in a city at all.

8. What are your favorite things to do in the neighborhood and around NYC?

I really enjoy exploring the city . My favorite places to go are usually shopping in Soho or eating in Little Italy. Living in NYC is an incomparable experience.

9. What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I hope to be working at Raytheon in Massachusetts. I've had an internship with them since last summer and hopefully will have the opportunity to work there full time as well. I also plan on going to graduate school, either on my own or financially funded by my future employer.

For More Information...  

Learn more about Columbia’s Mechanical Engineering department by checking out their departmental website ( http://www.columbia.edu/cu/mechanical/ ), where you can find the following highlights and more:

• Video Highlights of Student Projects and Professors

• "What is Mechanical Engineering?"

• History of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia

• What distinguished Columbia Mechanical Engineering from other schools ?

• What kind of careers does Mechanical Engineering prepare me for?

To learn more about Columbia Engineering in general, and to see more profiles of current students, go to: http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/engineering