The Pollock Sisters

(from left to right) 
Name: Tani Pollock
Year: 2013
School: CC
Major: Neuroscience

Name: Sami Pollock
Year: 2015
School: CC
Major: Neuroscience

Name: Ari Pollock
Year: 2013
School: CC
Major: Neuroscience

Ari & Tani, how did you choose Columbia?
A: We had never considered Columbia, but once we visited it we fell in love.
T: We liked it so much that we applied early and got in on our birthday!
A: At the time, I liked the idea of the Core…
 
Did you always know you’d go to the same school?
A: We wanted to go to different schools.
T: Our decision to go here was completely independent of one another.
A: But when we both got in early decision, we had to go.
 
Did you parents support you going to the same school?
A: Our dad wanted us to go to different schools.
T: Our mom wanted us to go to the same school, to make it easier for her.
A: But now they think it is great that we do, because we help each other out so much.
 
What are your favorite twin stories at Columbia?
A: At the barbecue during NSOP, a guy came up to me and used: “I just met your twin, she’s so hot,” as a pickup line. Then my friend turned to him and said, “You know she actually has a twin.” The guy was embarrassed and walked away.
T: Professor Valenti used us as an example of how electrons are virtually identical. He made us act as electrons and move around the room.
 
Do you go along with it when people call you the wrong name or do you usually correct them?
A: We used to go along with it freshman and sophomore year, but now I’m at the point where I’m sick of pretending that I’m her, so I always tell them, “I’m not Tani.”
 
How did you both pick pre-med and Neuroscience?
A: I always liked Biology and Psychology in high school.
T: Those were my favorite classes, too.
T: Both of our parents have their PhDs in Neuroscience.
A: Maybe it’s genetic.
 
What kind of doctors do you want to be?
T: I don’t know what I want to do, but I know what I don’t want to do.
A: I don’t want to be a pediatrician.
 
Sami, why did you pick Columbia?
My sisters were definitely a major influence. At first, I wanted to go somewhere completely different because in high school everyone compared me to them. But I also wanted to go to school in a city and UPenn was my only other urban school. I was in a bad mood on my Penn tour and it ruined the whole experience.
 
What is it like having two older sisters at your school?
I like it. People come up to me all of the time and ask if I am the younger one and I am always happy to say yes. It is nice to be able to see them. They made my birthday fantastic and I would definitely miss home more if they weren’t here.
T: We’re like your substitute mommies.
 
How did you pick Neuorsciece?
I’ve always been interested in Neuroscience. I promise I told my mom I wanted to study it even before my sisters picked it as their major!
 
What do your parents think about you three all going to the same school?
S: Our dad didn’t want us to go to the same school, but our mom liked the idea, probably just because it’s more convenient.
 
Almost a month into the year, how is it having all three of you here?
A: We love having Sami here.
T: Especially because we love having a freshman to swipe us into John Jay.
S: If I’m bored, they always have something to do.
 
Hometown: Wheeling, West Virginia
 
Campus activities:
A: Delta Gamma, coordinator of Mentoring Youth in NYC (part of Community Impact)
T: Delta Gamma, coordinator of Mentoring Youth in NYC (part of Community Impact), works in a neuroscience lab
S: I’m only a freshman, it’s still early!
 
Pet peeves:
A: When people tap their pens loudly, especially in Butler. And when people chew loudly.
T: When people incorrectly use good/well.
S: When the people at Westside call my sisters, “Ani and Tari.” And when those annoying people stop me when I’m late for class and ask me where I get my hair done.
 
Favorite place in NYC:
A: Columbus Circle
T: Highline Park
S: Forever 21 in Times Square
 
Dream job:
A: A doctor who people come to from all over the world.
T: A neurosurgeon as renowned as Derek Shepherd.
S: A doctor who can pick her own hours.
 
If you were stuck on a desert island, you would need:
A: My sisters and some Diet Coke.
T: And a book!
S: My sisters.
 
Favorite song or album:
A: American Pie
T: I don’t know.
S: American Pie, I have to agree.
 
If you could have one super power, it would be:
A: To read people’s minds.
T: To teleport.
S: To be invisible.
 
If you could invite anyone to dinner, you would invite:
A: My great-great grandmother
T: The first woman doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell
S: Patrick Dempsey
 
Sandwich:
A & T: Twin Special – A wrap with honey roasted turkey, lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard
S: Sami Whammy – A multi grain roll with chicken, sautéed Portobello mushrooms, onions, zucchini and squash