@stepay thanks so much for such a constructive comment! These are definitely all things to consider and part of me applying to so many schools is probably because I’m not sure exactly what I want so I might as well keep my options open. Also, I did a summer program at Cornell and everyone seemed very helpful to one another and not cutthroat at all (this may just be the summer program). I did love Cornell and exactly like what you said I liked the food, housing, and the campus. However, I would love to be in a city and closer to home if possible (I live about 40 minutes from Columbia). Thanks again for all of your help and I may have to consider removing some schools because I wouldn’t like to even go there!