I am excited to be joining Amherst College as a transfer student. I am 99 percent sure about my choice but I wanted to make sure I gave my other acceptances a second look. Any feedback is appreciated.
My second choice is Cornell University AAP, the Art, architecture and planning college. I have a strong background in housing: I’ve been a housing activist in NYS, helped write and negotiate housing bills without a college degree, and I do a lot of research in that field.
My experiences have also lead me to explore applying for law school after completing my undergraduate degree. My thought has been that if I want to focus in on planning and housing, I could always apply to graduate programs. I am strong in the humanities: writing, substantive justice, community work, and history. The English major and the LJST majors at Amherst College interest me greatly. Based on previous work, I also look to the science center as a place with abundant interdisciplinary possibilities for research. Ultimately, it’s the one on one contact with Professors and small classes that has sold me on Amherst.
I’ve yet to hear my financial aid offer from Cornell. That is another huge factor, considering that my wife and I are starting a family. Amherst College financial aid department has lived up to their reputation, and has met my full need by offering a full ride. As you might tell, I’m very set on Amherst, but I’d like to give Cornell the full weight of review, as I have a lot of respect for the University, and receive anyone’s insight on here as to the differences between the two schools, since CC’s advice has been immensely helpful throughout this entire process.
@35YearoldCUNY Without knowing if you will be able to afford Cornell, it’s difficult to make a comparison, but if the finances are equally affordable, then I would lean heavily toward Cornell.
I would note that I’m a huge fan of the small LAC experience (my son is a Williams Alum), but for you at this point in your life, with your background and aspirations, I can’t imagine a better fit than Cornell’s BS-URS. You’d get a great education at Amherst; however, socially and culturally I think you have gone beyond what a small residential LAC can offer, and would better be able to move to the next level at a large and diverse university like Cornell. (Further disclaimer, my son has an MArch from Cornell.)
Cornell’s BS-URS seems to offer both the exact academic experience that you seek with the additional advantage of interaction with Cornell’s powerhouse school of architecture as well as the community outreach and intellectual stimulus of a great university. You would be exposed to some of the best minds in the planning field and could build on the foundation you’ve already built in housing advocacy.
Your next step could be law school, a masters in planning, architecture or another advanced degree in the public works sphere. Cornell will open doors for you in New York and all over the world. Its global standing in architecture plus the intimate environment of its relatively small planning program would provide the best of both worlds.
I agree with @momrath that, if finances were not a barrier, then Cornell would be the better choice for you based on age, experience, and scholarly interests.
As a married 35 year old student at a small LAC, you will be an oddity. Most other students might assume that you are a professor rather than a classmate.
The social life at Cornell should be much more varied in terms of age and activities due to the large number of graduate students. Also, Cornell should offer lots of serious research opportunities.
Amherst College may look good on paper, but the reality for one of your age & experience deserves a major university environment.
Nevertheless, Amherst College for free is not a bad outcome even though it may stunt or slow your growth academically, socially, and professionally.
P.S. I do not know you so take my advice with caution as you need to be comfortable with your choice. It is important to understand that Amherst College’s environment is quite different than that found at Cornell University. If small & intimate motivates you to perform at your highest level, then Amherst College might be the better option.
Thank you for that very thoughtful feedback. I started to second guess my choice on Amherst once I looked further into Cornell. Small and intimate does motivate me, but so does the excitement of being on a larger stage, with applicable research.
What’s scaring me about Amherst is that I will be surrounded by very bright students, and excellent Professors, but the student body is transitioning from their parent’s home. Will graduate programs, or law schools, look down on me for making the choice to go there as a 35 year old?
The open curriculum is appealing. The abundance of writing, small seminar classes. They’ve also gone really far with financial aid. Ultimately I know school will be what I make of it. But you all are echoing my fears about a small LAC this stage in my life, is it foolish? Thanks for the feedback, I’m doing what I can to reach out in my network and to my Professors to gain some insight.
I think that students at Amherst could learn a lot from your life and work experience but I’m not sure that the opposite would be true.
At AAP many of the graduate students will be in their 30’s, already having had careers, some in completely different fields. There’s a good deal of synergy between the undergrad and graduate programs so you’ll be able to interact with people like you with interests honed over time.
The networking opportunities with visiting professionals, politicians and decision makers are phenomenal. And if you want to explore other disciplines like literature or social justice, the university is smorgasbord of classes to audit and speakers to hear.
I honestly think Cornell is a far better choice for you in this instance. I would ordinarily choose Amherst in a heartbeat, but I think as a much older student, you are going to be conspicuous and not in a good way. For small LACs, student interaction is important, and I feel the gap is going to be so big that students (professors too) might subconsciously regard you as an oddity.
I don’t think grad schools or businesses will look down on you at all. But I can imagine a few eyebrows being raised. I confess that even as I read this, I keep thinking WHY? Yes, Amherst is great, but why does a 35 year old married person, who plans to start a family, want to attend a very small college where virtually all students will be not much older than 23?
Of course, we know why you would like to go there, but, frankly, it just seems weird given your age and living situation. I think others have given more compelling reasons why Cornell is a better choice.
Attending Amherst College would not be foolish for you. The issue is which school would be better for you if both options are affordable.
Amherst College is among the best small schools in the world and Cornell University is a world-class research university. No wrong choice although one may be a better choice.
Attending Amherst College with the thoughtful awareness of the differences between a super-elite LAC and an ultra-prestigious research university should motivate and assist you in maximizing the benefits of either opportunity. For example, Amherst College may allow you to get some teaching experience while working closely with a particular professor or professors. Such an option might be reserved for graduate students at Cornell University.
In short, you are now aware of some key differences between your options. There is no wrong choice here assuming that you are comfortable in class among much younger peers–but very bright, motivated peers. However, your social life is likely to be quite different at a small LAC versus a much larger National University environment.
No graduate school or employer should look down upon you for attending either school other than the aspect that Cornell University can offer a much more focused education in a specialty area which is better for employers seeking one with hit-the-ground-running type of education or training. Should not be a concern for graduate schools.
Which environment will motivate you to produce your best work at this stage of your life ?
Big is not necessarily better as–in this case–big may involve more distractions & too many opportunities. Psychologically, which environment suits you better to accomplish what you want to achieve over the next two or three years ? This is a personal question.
The question may be moot if Cornell is not as affordable (and Cornell does not necessarily meet need for transfers).
Socially, it will be harder to make “friends”, so that you and your wife will need to socialize outside the college for the most part. Your classmates will be incredibly bright, but they’ll be bright 20 year olds. On the other hand, it may allow you to create bonds or a special relationship with professors - and that, more than the social aspect, seems to be your driving motivation.
Your presence will be incredibly beneficial to them and arguing with them will sharpen those skills (especially since 20 year olds tend to be hard-headed) but it may be difficult to be “friends” with them when you live off-campus, have an infant at home… See if Amherst can put you in touch with any older students or any single parent student (generally, having a kid ages you quickly, so that even a 20 year old with a baby be very different from a 20 year old living in the dorms.) Do you have things in common? Do you feel comfortable?
In addition, outside of class, 2/3 your classmates won’t be allowed in a bar or club for instance ;). On the other hand, if you organize a small party with juniors/seniors from your classes, everyone will assume they’re 21+. And if they organize parties, they may not invite you because they’re not the partie where someone goes with a spouse (like, mingle or sit down with a glass of wine :p)
However it will not be as isolating as if you were, say, a student at Williams: with Amherst near UMass, there’ll be plenty of students in your age group nearby.
Still, at Amherst proper, you’re more likely to be assumed a professor or lecturer, than a student. Are you Ok with that?
You have wonderful options but if Cornell financial aid comes through, they would have my vote too.
I had a 28 year old lab partner when I was an undergrad at Cornell. He and his wife lived in married student housing. Lots of grad students will be your age and you will have a peer group, as will your spouse.
Yes, this is important, and I’m not really sure the social aspect is all that important to a married guy in his 30’s with a kid coming. He could always attend alumni events even as a student. Thus, I’m not so caught up on the social difference between Amherst and Cornell. I’d go with the cheapest option.
One thing to remember too is that undergrads at a place like Amherst tend to be wiser beyond their years and more accepting than students their same age at many other schools. I remember a fly-in day at Swarthmore where the Asian students organization had one guy who was noticeably older (he looked like a grad student). He said Swarthmore felt like family. Long way of saying that while the OP will definitely be older than all the other students at Amherst, I’m not actually so certain he would fit in better at Cornell than at Amherst.
Received note that a preliminary review of my financial aid documents puts me at full aid. This is a truly tough decision for me because the schools couldn’t be more different: Cornell, a full blown research University but as @momrath describes synergy, the Cornell AAP Urban planning major is smaller and there’s some personalization.
As a learner I am the complete opposite of large 200+ person classes. To the degree that I can avoid that, Cornell is attractive for all the work it does globally and within New York. I’m trying to decide if I am just getting cold feet, or will I feel very out of place at Amherst? Am I limiting my options by committing to an urban and regional planning major, or would a t-13 law school really still be within reach? It’s hard to give up the LJST major at Amherst. But I am very driven when it comes to organizing groups and kicking off projects with real world consequences, so I am thinking that Cornell has the resources and driven students to respond to that.
Thank you for letting me think out loud, I hope to pay the advice forward. We were literally packing when this acceptance came in. @Publisher makes a great point about psychologically what is better: the environment at Amherst, a quiet walk to school, and less distractions is helpful while I will have new responsibilities as a father. And @PurpleTitan is correct that the social scene is not a huge concern–we like both areas and have fully developed social lives and networks.
Thank you all, grateful to be able to have this decision, agonizing over it today.
How set are you on law school? My S is very focused on urban planning and politics (ie policy not architecture) and considered law school (even editing the undergrad law journal for two years), but ultimately felt that the better path was through think tanks and/or consulting, where a masters or PhD will be more relevant. For that he’s found that specialist urban planning courses (including taking some of the masters courses as an undergrad) have been most useful, and that has been much easier at a large research university.
@35YearoldCUNY Glad that Cornell’s financial aid came through! It’s nice to be wanted.
In addition to considering the social environment of each school, I think the bigger question is the choice between the two degrees.
Amherst’s Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought major is a classic example of the liberal arts interdisciplinary approach to a broad and brainy topic. Since law touches on just about every aspect of modern life, this degree could be the foundation to any number of career paths, including law itself. Is it overly abstract and idealistic? Possibly. Fascinating and intellectually challenging? Absolutely! If you’re seeking a “life of the mind” experience, then Amherst will not disappoint.
Cornell’s BS in Urban and Regional Planning is preparation for a specific profession. Within that context, planning is itself quite broad: it can be an adjunct to architecture and design, governmental policy making, housing and land ownership advocacy, environmental sustainability and so forth. If any tangent of planning compels you, then you couldn’t do better than Cornell’s BS-URS.
I don’t see either degree being more or less advantageous to law school admissions. You might reach out to the individual departments to learn how other students have fared. Colleges are usually generous in providing information on what their graduates have done with their degrees. It’s a big decision for you, so don’t be shy about raising your concerns directly with the departments.
@35YearoldCUNY I know just enough to possibly make an outlandishly inappropriate off-base recommendation, but I would choose Cornell. From what I’ve read here, it just seems a better fit.