<p>I have been accepted at both Cornell University and Amherst College as a transfer student. Amherst is giving me financial aid while Cornell is not because I am an international student. But my parents are willing to pay the whole Cornell cost because it is ivy league. I want to know if in comparism to Amherst, the quality of education, and prestige of a Cornell education is worth the financial sacrifice.</p>
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<p>eron, i sent u a PM, hope it helps!</p>
<p>I think the quality of education and prestige of Cornell is probably not worth the financial sacrifice, because many would argue that Amherst has better undergrad education and is more respected by graduate schools and employers. However, they are very different schools, so you should probably try to find out which school you like more and then decide if the financial aid at Amherst is worth it. Just for a reference, the Wall Street Journal ranked Amherst 9 and Cornell 25 at getting students into the top 5 business, med, and law schools. However, this ranking has some flaws that have been talked about by others in previous posts. Also, Cornell does have more international prestige so that may be a factor for you.</p>
<p>I agree with what's been said so far. Amherst will give you a better quality undergraduate education, and is well known to employers in America. Amherst graduates are accepted to better graduate schools as mathwizard33 pointed out. Internationally, Cornell is better known, but if you are worried about a job in America or graduate school, Amherst is the way to go.</p>
<p>eron,
It is usually hard for parents of international applicants to look beyond the "Ivy League." I can tell you that my older S (now a senior in college) went to an independent high school in NY which is considered to be one of the finest in this country. He was at the top of his class in that high school, and when he was looking at colleges he resisted the temptation to only look at Ivy League schools and instead focused on the small LAC's such as Amherst and Swarthmore. The director of college counseling at his high school told him that he would not get a finer UNDERGRADUATE education anywhere in the country than he would at Amherst and Swarthmore. Try not to be swayed by what you perceive to be "prestige." The questions are what type of atmosphere you would be best suited to learn in and what you hope to do after college.</p>
<p>I am an Amherst grad and am a big advocate of liberal arts colleges at all levels. You thus may want to take that bias in consideration. I decided to attend Amherst a number of years ago over a "big three" Ivy and have never had regrets. Amherst provided me with the intellectual tools and life experiences (and I suppose "the prestige") that were important for my post-undergrad education and career. I also am grateful for the development of my writing and analytical skills and well as the nurturance of my intellectual curiosity in many different fields.</p>
<p>Amherst is not for everyone, though. If you want to be on a big campus, you will not find it there. Also Cornell offers top programs in engineering, hotel management, and veterinary science, and if you are interested in any of those areas, that may also influence your decision. I would recommend going where you think you will get the best education and feel most comfortable, and not just on name recognition. Instead of a pedigree, Amherst offers a superb education which is intensely personal and shared with a community of brilliant peers and profs.</p>
<p>AMHERST! AMHERST! AMHERST!! yeah man... u should go to amherst</p>
<p>I agree with mathwizard and momof3sons---
Amherst has an AMAZING reputation. Our public HS regularly gets students into Cornell, but seems to have a much tougher time with Amherst and the other top LACs.
Also, as others noted, the two schools are very very different -- we visited both this fall. There are so many factors to consider. Do you prefer smaller classes and the opportunity to get to know your professors, or much broader course offerings? Will you have the opportunity to visit or do an overnight? Choose what feels right for you!</p>
<p>D went to Amherst as the first and only from her school. Very daunting for someone who was never a social butterfly. She chose it for many reasons, not the least of which was a challenging academic atmosphere, with no core, where she could dabble in whatever interested her. She felt immediately welcomed, and has made wonderful friends. She has been to her profs' houses for dinner and social hours. Her friends at unis have not had this experience. It was harder for them to find their niche and many sought out and stayed with their groups from HS. D regularly e-mails her profs to proof her papers before they are handed in, and for whatever other reason she needs. Her writing has improved dramatically, and she was a good writer to begin with. If this is what you are looking for, then Amherst is for you. If this isn't that important to you, then visit both and make your decision based on what is important to you.</p>
<p>My d went to Cornell's summer program and decided not to apply there, but has applied to Amherst. She enjoys interactive, discussion based classes. She had been in a relatively small class at Cornell (35 students), and so there was a bit of discussion. However, her professor said that she (the professor) was the exception rather than the rule there, and that for the first two years in Arts & Sciences a student is mostly in lectures, with discussions held only in sections led by TA's. </p>
<p>Of course, since you're a transfer student, that may not matter as much to you if you've already gotten your basic requirements out of the way.</p>
<p>I seriousy encourage you to choose Amherst over Cornell.
People always come on and say that Cornell isn't as bad as it is made out to be.
I have heard enough horror stories to prove otherwise.
Amherst is an amazing school with a great reputation and does better in grad school placement.</p>
<p>Since my major is business do you think that Amherst not having a business program makes Cornell a better pick?</p>
<p>No not at all. Major in whatever you like at Amherst and you will have similar, if not better, job opportunities. You are a very lucky person to be accepted to both! Congratulations.</p>
<p>I say go to Cornell. It may be the weakest school in the Ivy League, and a reminder that the Ivy League is really just an athletic conference (who would argue, for example, that Cornell is a better school than Stanford or Duke, let alone Amherst, Williams or Swarthmore?) but at least you've got the title of Ivy Leaguer, which seems to be important to you or at least to your parents. Leave a slot at Amherst for someone who can appreciate it.</p>
<p>Even though I'm from Williams, I'd say Amherst. Unless the whole Ivy League thing is really important, but still...</p>