Brief background/experiences
I started my architectural education in my hometown; Toronto, Canada, at Ryerson University. The program there is an undergraduate degree in architectural science (B.Arch. Sci.).

Generally considered a technical program due to Ryerson's roots as a polytechnic institute, before becoming a university, its now changing its curriculum and effectively its image. During my tenure there, it was a changing school trying to shed its 'technical' image, for a more theoretical stance. However the curriculum was slow to change and parts of the old program remained while new types of classes were being tested. As a result, I've obtained a sort of schizophrenic undergrad invested in mechanical materiality and theory.

The two years between my undergrad and grad school were spent working at a couple of firms; primarily Moriyama and Teshima Architects, then a change of pace at a couple of smaller offices including a very talented Toronto firm; Reigo and Bauer Architects.

I managed to squeeze in some traveling in the last two years, but some of the best travel experience I've had were in my undergrad with my studio, something I look forward to in grad school.

Why you chose your school/program
This is always the question I enjoy reading on archinect (and wherever else I can). I generally notice a very vague response; curriculum, professors, history etc. I get the feeling that not too many people truly know why they are at a particular institution over another, and that some of the choice is based on intuition, myself included.

Ivy League status and famous alumni aside, I like Cornell because I feel like I can change it. There are so many schools that are simply producing architects/students, that are so practiced in their teaching that the student's roll is somewhat passive. To paraphrase a fellow Cornell blogger 'Cornell is light on its feet'. The department is changing, the new OMA building is beginning, and a new garde is emerging.

Like so many students who find themselves in grad school, we have heard all the buzz, read as much as we could, now its time to see for ourselves and measure the school against our experiences and expectations.

Architecture interests
I'm going to have to revisit this section at a later date, but very briefly;

narratives
labyrinths (ask me about my undergrad thesis!)
traveling
architecture/design for the other 90%
materiality/building

Other interests
i like to run