Student Spotlight

Sophia Turchin
Earth and Planetary Science Major
2026 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Semifinalist  

Sophia Turchin ’26 grew up on Manhattan’s West Side and now lives in Brooklyn. A non-traditional student, she had been homeschooled since the 7th grade. “I started college after almost ten years away from formal education and had to quickly adjust to my new environment,” she said. “Despite facing hardships in the past, I was determined to challenge myself and push my boundaries. I joined the Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Government Association; became a student ambassador; and started an environment and sustainability club, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.”

Her love of nature and spending time outdoors led her to enroll in Kingsborough’s earth and planetary science program. She has been able to explore her passion for geology and planetary science through the CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP), where she is currently conducting research on the mineralogy of the Ritland Crater, located in Norway, under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Steven Jaret. She was recently selected for the Physical Science (REU) summer program at the American Museum of Natural History.

She has applied to Brown University, Yale University, Princeton University and Cornell University, as well as Stony Brook University, where she plans to major in geology or earth science with possible minors in astronomy and environmental science. “My long-term career goal is to become a planetary scientist and researcher, studying the solar system and its constituents like meteorites, planets and moons,” she said.

“It is incredibly encouraging and motivating for me to have my efforts be acknowledged by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. I hope I can inspire other students to seek out challenges and believe in themselves, especially my two younger siblings who also attend CUNY schools,” Sophia said. “I’m honored to be considered among such ambitious and hardworking students and excited to share this journey with them.”

 

Sophia Turchin | Earth and Planetary Science Major