<p>So... we've just "discovered" Cornell and its potential fit for S who is a senior this year and thus already deep in College apps. He is interested in Computer Science with a leaning toward game design, and Cornell looks like a nice fit there. </p>
<p>We haven't visited (yet), so I was wondering if anyone can give us any feedback on how the "feel" of Cornell compares to the explicitly techy schools my son has enjoyed visiting, such as WPI, RPI, RIT, MIT, etc. The only school we visited that he really didn't like was UMass Amherst. </p>
<p>Also, how does Cornell's financial aid tend to stack up against schools like RPI, CMU, MIT? </p>
<p>I could not help but laugh out loud that he didnt like UMass Amherst.
My daughter loved it, but it was not the right school for her. She did enjoy playing egg toss and volleyball in the quad. :)</p>
<p>Feel wise, Cornell is a serious school with some very serious students. They also have an agricultural school. So, based on the diversity factor it is an ‘ivey’ that has a diverse student body (IMHO). It is cold (freezing) in the winter. Building wise, it looks a lot like parts of UMass. ;)</p>
<p>My advice, let your son apply and see what happens. If he is admitted and the financial package makes sense, then you can visit and see how it fits. If he is not admitted, nothing lost.</p>
<p>Cornell has one of the strongest computer science departments in the country, and you can choose to do the major either through the Engineering School or the College of Arts and Sciences. It does not give merit aid but promises to meet financial need.</p>
<p>Academics are rigorous. The science courses I took there as a biochemistry major lo these many years ago were very well-taught, but HARD. The school is full of kids from the Bronx High School of Science and the like. I found the vibe challenging and energizing.</p>
<p>The campus and surrounding area are absolutely beautiful. Cornell is on a steep hill above the south end of Lake Cayuga, which is visible from many locations, and the campus is cut through with scenic gorges and waterfalls. There’s lots of snow, though it would be no worse in that respect than RIT, MIT, RPI, or WPI; if your student hates the cold, he’d be better off at e.g. Georgia Tech. Because the school is so big, there are tons and tons of activities for college-aged students, and places for them to hang out. Ithaca College is nearby with even more things to do. The student body is very diverse, both in terms of background and in terms of interests and talents–more so, I suspect, than at a school where everybody’s doing engineering. There are kids doing architecture, labor relations, hotel management, agriculture, and so on in addition to the usual liberal arts and engineering majors. There’s a great art museum.</p>
<p>My son loves snow, the more the better. He was wondering if Cornell would get extra lake effect above and beyond what they might get in Boston or Worcester That would be a big plus for him.</p>
<p>Ithaca gets significantly more snow than Boston, certainly, and probably than Worcester. It’s also a lot hillier. Actually, it has sensational natural beauty. Everything about Cornell is monumental – the buildings, the hill, the lake. That’s going to be a huge difference vs. RPI or RIT, certainly. MIT is kind of monumental, too, but it’s all crowded together. At Cornell, there’s lots of space between the monumental buildings, and lots of distance from one place to another. There are vistas.</p>
<p>If your son likes the outdoors and doesn’t mind winter, it’s supercalifagilisticexpealidocious.</p>
<p>We don’t live near an airport, so that’s kind of less of an issue for us anyhow. It’s 4 hours from us by car. Of course my DS doesn’t drive or have a car…</p>
<p>Cornell has a decidedly techy feel. Just look at the undergraduate enrollment numbers for Fall 2009.</p>
<p>4,184 College of Arts and Sciences
3,365 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
2,794 College of Engineering
1,261 College of Human Ecology
896 School of Industrial and Labor Relations
892 School of Hotel Administration
496 College of Architecture, Art, and Planning</p>
<p>20% of the undergraduates are enrolled in the College of Engineering. Many more students studying sciences and applied sciences are enrolled in Arts & Sciences, Agriculture & Life Sciences, and Human Ecology.</p>
<p>The graduate student numbers are even more lopsided towards the sciences and engineering.</p>
<p>Someone I mentored is now at Cornell in a STEM major. Getting out of Ithaca is a challenge. It is intense, academically and socially. Reports now having lots of BxSci and Stuy friends. :)</p>
<p>S1 applied for CS/Math there, was rejected. He liked both the math and CS departments. </p>
<p>If you don’t play, you can’t win! If he likes it and is in the range, what the heck. Sounds like he has other good likelies on the list already.</p>
<p>“…vt” means Vermont, right? For you the 4 hour drive makes Cornell easy- it is difficult for those who need to fly to a major airport, transfer, then catch a flight/bus/whatever to the campus. H and I saw the campus on an east coast vacation (things you do when kid off to his college). Beautiful although isolated from big cities area. That can be a good thing. At this date you can have him go ahead and apply then worry about seeing the campus next spring if it is still an option. PS- the 11th hour is literally that, I still remember my son using California time for a deadline, not our CST.</p>
<p>Agree - 4 hour drive is a no brainer. It can’t hurt to apply.</p>
<p>Cornell is a large, sprawling campus. It would have more of a mix of students and courses than your son’s other schools. That could be good, depending on the students.</p>
<p>“My son loves snow, the more the better.” - In addition to snow, Cornell gets the less pleasant “Ithacate” (sort of frozen-ish rain). But the students get used to it.</p>
<p>“Ithacate” sounds like what we call “wintry mix”. Does Cornell have any kind of useful underground tunnels or way of getting around that sprawling campus with minimal outdoor exposure when the weather is truly gross? Because even snow-loving DS does complain a lot if he has to walk half a mile home from the bus stop in gross winter weather :)</p>
<p>p.s. I will probably kill my son if it gets down to squabbling about time zones when submitting apps!</p>
<p>Long walks in the cold are the norm at Cornell, but remember, it builds character :)</p>
<p>Many moons ago I applied to Cornell literally at the 11th hour: had to send my application special delivery in the days before the common app and priority mail.</p>
<p>Sciences are phenomenal there and as has already been mentioned, much more exposure to other activities and people than at purely tech schools. It’s a great addition to your list.</p>
<p>I have two sons at Cornell. The CS department is one of the best in the country. The campus is beautiful and there is so much to do both on and off the campus. If your son likes nature than he is in for a treat. My sons have a car this year and they are always heading off to nearby state parks and hiking trails although there are plenty of vistas to enjoy right on the campus. The rock climbing wall is great and the fitness facilities are beautiful. Tell your son that CS at Cornell is pretty much a match with MIT. The beauty of Cornell is that it is not a techy school because there are so many other colleges on campus which brings a great diversity to the school. My sons have friends in all of the colleges which they personally find to be ideal. Wish your son lots of luck…its a great choice.</p>
<p>Cornell is a great school for kids who are interested in MIT, but may not make the cut. It offers a terrific CS program which is considered one of the top three in the country. Lots of recruiting for jobs and internships takes place on campus, which is impressive considering how difficult it can be to get in and out of Ithaca.
Oldest son applied at the last minute to Cornell, and then chose it over his other five acceptances. He graduated with a math/CS double major and was very pleased with what the school had to offer.</p>
<p>He had the guidance counselor send his transcript today, so he is seriously considering applying. </p>
<p>Question: is it actually any easier to get into than MIT? It seems extremely competitive also!</p>
<p>S has solid stats (35 ACT, class rank 4/250, high GPA, challenging classes, NM semi-finalist, excellent recommendations, etc.) but only average ECs (primarily drama, all 4 years) and community service (primarily through our faith community). He worked as a camp counselor last summer. </p>
<p>People have suggested to me that Cornell would be a “match” for my S based on his stats, but I’m thinking it may be a bit more “reachy”? </p>
<p>I’m sure he would love the location. He’s totally not a city boy, though he does see the advantages of living in a city when you are 18 and have no car :)</p>
<p>It’s extremely difficult to get into MIT. Cornell is a very selective school, but MIT is just crazy. From what you say, Cornell could be a reach or a match, definitely a great place on your list.</p>
<p>Cornell is simply an excellent choice for Computer Science. On your list, I’d say that only MIT and CMU have stronger programs, and the biggest gap would be between those three and your next schools - which are also very fine.</p>
