<p>I know Cornell is in the ivy league, but is the educational experience ivy awesome, or is it bogged down by its size and state school attributes?</p>
<p>Is the Cornell education incredible?</p>
<p>Can anyone compare it with schools like Northwestern, Notre Dame, etc.?</p>
<p>As with any school, it depends on your major. </p>
<p>When comparing apples to apples, Cornell Is "ivy awesome", whatever that means. Actually, Harvard undergrad is well regarded as easier overall. I thought that was crazy but I've talked to a lot of Harvard grads who say they felt underwhelmed.</p>
<p>This perception that the contract schools drag Cornell down is fostered by people who have a very narrow perception of education as something that is tainted if it becomes at all practical. The Vet School, well regarded as one of the best in the world, is a contract school. The undergrad business school was just ranked 4th in the nation and is in a contract school.</p>
<p>That said, there are certainly people at Cornell that would not typically be at any other Ivy school, but that is because they are involved in programs of study not at any other Ivy. For me, this vast diversity provided a completely unique educational experience in which I could learn from cultures around the world and those I didn't know in my own country (such as farmers). It also provides extensive opportunities for cross-discipline learning in ways most other high quality schools simply cannot. Whether that's positive or negative depends on what you look for in an education. If unabashed prestige at the drop of a name is your highest goal, then perhaps Cornell's not for you. If not, perhaps it is. </p>
<p>I studied in the Ag contract school, the Arts and Sciences private school, and the Architecture, Art, and Planning private school. I didn't notice any significant difference in the quality of student, professor, or rigor.</p>
<p>out of curiosity does anyone no what the academics for fiber science and apparel design were like or are regarded like on campus?</p>
<p>It's an extremely well-regarded program. Graduates go on to become fashion designers or buyers in the upper-echelons of the industry. Every year a couple of student groups hold fashion shows on campus that show-off their own wares. The shows are pretty popular with the general student body.</p>
<p>Didn't we just extensively answer your questions on the other thread?</p>