Nick Smith (2020)

“Consider your fellow MFCNS (and Cornell Commitment) students a resource! Looking back on it now, I feel as though I collected just as much “soft” knowledge from my peers as I did “hard” knowledge from formal programming. So, participate in the Freshman Forum, join the Executive Board, attend as many events as you can, and don’t just go for the speaker(s). Look for people with similar interests and take the time to have thorough conversations about what you want to do after school while you still have the time to change course.”

Nick Smith graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in May 2020 with a major in Economics and minors in Business, Psychology, and Leadership. In the beginning of his Junior year, Nick was selected as a Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar (MFCNS).

Nick is a recent graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where he completed a dual-degree program in law (JD) and public health (MPH). After completing the bar exam at the end of February, Nick will start a two-year term as a staff attorney at the Eleventh Circuit, the federal appeals court for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Nick credits Cornell and MFCNS for helping him develop sound leadership and communication skills. He used those skills to network and get involved in programs at Emory. “Joining and participating in the leadership of campus organizations was a great way for me to make like-minded friends right at the start of grad school.” Although he didn’t realize it as an undergrad, Nick has discovered that Meinig helped him to develop strong followership skills as well.

Nick believes that his MFCNS experience not only made it easier for him to engage with grad school extracurriculars, but it also equipped him with the confidence to branch out at Cornell. Most importantly, he became more involved with the newspaper in the latter years of undergrad, and he discovered his love for writing; a skill that he would further develop in law school!

Nick shared that participating in Meinig equipped him with the confidence and skills to join and later lead programs at Emory, like the law school’s Health Law Society. He was able to gain access to upperclassmen and practitioners with experience across the field, opening doors to experience internships at government agencies and non-profits.

The resources that Nick advises Meinig Scholars to make use of is the mentorship program, not only for a mentor’s insight, but also for how to develop a mentorship relationship. “Finding and keeping in touch with mentors, both professionals and peers proved invaluable in securing internships throughout grad school. I feel as though I am on solid ground at the very outset of my career because I was able to establish a network of mentors in the health law field.

If you would like to contact Nick to discuss the grad school application process, the LSAT, the GRE, law school, public health school, as well as internships/careers in health policy and/or public interest he can be emailed at nksmith024@gmail.com.