<p>CC has always been a good place to get other's opinions, so here I go again.</p>
<p>Here's my delimma.</p>
<p>As of now... with about 2 weeks to go my college choices are WashU and Cornell. The two major factors are that fact that I want to major in BME (Biomedical Engineering for those that don't know), with intent to go to med school, and I'm in the standard middle class "paying for college" dilemma. My EFC is 18,000 i think and I've gotten Woodward at WashU totalling up to 31,000 in aid (both loans and grants). No info from Cornell yet (sent in Fin Aid late), but since they are an ivy, Cornell must meet my need (in what way is up to question). I haven't been to Cornell so some insight from those that have been there would be cool. I think Cornell has more classes (and better... I'm thinking of Hotel Administration classes specifically) but WashU is cheaper and is "ranked" higher in BME (though not in other departments)--ranked in quotes since WashU has a rep of manipulating rankings. Cornell is further though and bigger which might make it harder for me to find research. What do you guys think... which and what factors that I should look at.</p>
<p>Thanks alot in advance to those that answer.</p>
<p>I know you don't have a lot of time. But to make such an important decision without visiting can be a bit foolish. Both are great schools but offering totally different college experiences. It is all about where you would feel most comfortable spending the next 4 years of your life. If at all possible try to visit before deciding. Other people's opinions are just that - opinions. Do you really want strangers deciding for you.</p>
<p>Well, I was pretty much set on Wash U after I stayed a weekend there and it very nice there I think. However, i found out that their ranking for BME when down, cause that's why I was attracted there in the first place, cause imo Cornell has more classes and I want to diversify in college (note wash still has a better BME "ranking"). Of course, most would say rankings don't matter... but that fact knocked me off my certainess and now I'm indecive again.</p>
<p>Cornell does not have to meet your need as you define it. They have their own methodology and their packages surprise many. Wait to compare packages. </p>
<p>For med school, I'd personally want to steer clear of Cornell's famous grade deflation.</p>
<p>^In response to above^
I was unsure of the quality of their program. Don't get me wrong I like WashU. But visiting there, it seems like all they focus on it the Biological Sciences and I am wondering why their best area is not being ranked as high as before. </p>
<p>I'm just wondering which... in the opinion of the members of CC, which school is better (it's good to get totally objective opinions, since my rents want me to go to Wash cause it closer and less expensive probably, so they aren't very objective when it comes to asking them)</p>
<p>Antonius Maximus, if you are planning to go to med school, then the ranking of the BME program probably won't really matter in the long run. I agree with ST2, the college experiences at the two schools are very different and you should try to visit Cornell so you can better compare it to WashU. Cornell is essentially a large rural school in upstate NY, While as you know, WashU is a mid size school in the suburbs of a big city. What kind of environment are you looking for?</p>
<p>Also, WashU has their medical school on campus, while Cornell's is in New York City, a five-hour drive. I think this would make a difference as to which BME students have the better access to research and internships.</p>
<p>Thanks to all... I was just wondering... How do you guys think Case Western compares to WashU. Case gave me the same amount (28,000 scholarship compared to 24000 at washu <em>doesn't count loans</em>) and seems to be one of those up and coming schools. Any opinions?</p>
<p>So, do you not have a fianancial answer from Cornell? If money matters, then you need an actual figure, not a prediction.</p>
<p>IMHO, Case is more of a "nerd school" than Wash U. That is not an insult coming from me! It leans more heavily toward the sciences, and as a generalization, it attracts more kids who are focused on the academic side of college life, as opposed to Wash U, where you may find a greater assortment of attitudes about balancing school and social/extracurricular life.</p>
<p>Case vs. Wash U, when both give you (approximately) the same amount of money is WASH U hands down. Many grads from my high school go on to both Case and Wash U, and I myself was accepted to both with about $25,000 in scholarships and fin. aid from case and nothing whatsoever from Wash U. I was also accepted at Northwestern with no fin. aid, and right now I have completely ruled out Case and I'm only considering NU and Wash U (and leaning heavily towards Wash U too).</p>
<p>Why? Well, Case and Wash U are both very difficult schools academically. But it seems that Case is harder, much harder. The grads at Case from my school are constantly complaining about the rather boring and excedingly difficult classes at Case, whereas the grads at Wash U say the classes are very challenging, but tend to be managable and actually teach them something. Both focus on the sciences (which I'm interested in), but it seems like Wash U's offerings are better. Both Wash U and Case seem to make research widely available for their undergraduates, however Wash U's med school and of its life-science related departments seem to be among the best in the nation in terms of research output and quality of facilities (just look at the NRC rankings to give you a hint of how strong Wash U life sciences are). Case is good too (there is NO DENYING that Case has great life-science programs), but I think Wash U ultimately has stronger research opportunities and better resources for undergrads interested in the life sciences than Case. I think the academic and research experience is much better at Wash U than at Case and since they both cost about the same, I think Wash U definitely is the stronger school in terms of academics.</p>
<p>Furthermore, it seems grads from my school tend to enjoy life at Wash U and not enjoy it at Case. The Case grads seem highly stressed and often complain about the lack of social opportunities, whereas the Wash U grads seem to actually be enjoying their college years. I've visited both campuses, and Wash U's seems to be much friendlier and laid back (though I wouldn't say it's a party school, more a work-hard, play-hard type of place) and Case seemed rather... drab. Wash U has amazing dorms, beautiful architecure and great food. I can't say the same for Case. Cleveland and St. Louis both leave much to be desired, but in terms of campus atmosphere... Wash U just seems like a more fun place, a place where one can learn a great deal through their research and their coursework, but also have a life.</p>
<p>So... I say Wash U, especially if it costs about the same as Case.</p>
<p>cornell is in the middle of nowhere, but it has a nice campus to make up for that. i think i would go to washu because i wouldnt enjoy being so isolated. plus, washu has an excellent med school (not sure whether they favor their own undergrads) so you would probably be able to do a great deal of research there, as opposed to none at cornell.</p>