<p>So I'll be doing undergrad Materials Science and engineering. I have to decide between Gtech and Cornell.
Could anyone tell me if paying $15,000 more at Cornell is really worth it?
Are the opportunities I'll get at both places almost the same?</p>
<p>The Ivies are worth it, but not at any cost. To most families the $60k extra is not worth it…not when the more affordable option is a school of Georgia Tech’s exceptional quality. But if your family can easily cover the cost difference, then I think Cornell is worth it, not necessarily because it is better, but because it offers a more well rounded college experience.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks :)</p>
<p>Georgia Tech has a more highly respected engineering program than Cornell, so this is really a no-brainer. Cornell has the prestige, but GaTech has the better chops for your desired program.</p>
<p>GT is not more highly respected than Cornell in Engineering. They are both roughly equal in this regard, along with the likes of CMU, Michigan and UIUC.</p>
<p>Notice that the graduation rate at Cornell is 93% while the grad rate is 79% at Georgia Tech. At Cornell. the Engineering grad rate is about 92%.</p>
<p>Notice also that Georgia Tech is a public school which admits much deeper into its application base than Cornell. Also remember that Cornell is a far more comprehensive institution with strengths beyond that of STEM and business. </p>
<p>An Ivy definitely gives you a clear advantage. As much as we’d like to ignore it, having an ivy label means much in the real world. Whether it should matter or not, unfortunately, it does. So, spending that extra money may have significant benefits in the long run.</p>
<p>College is also a time to expand your horizons and Cornell has so many different types of people from all different backgrounds who are planning to major in different areas. Associating with them will definitely broaden your views and opinions. Georgia Tech on the other hand, may be also varied but not as much as Cornell. I feel the two experiences will be VASTLY different.</p>
<p>However, I’m sure you will enjoy your time at both. It really comes down to the experience you want to have. And how badly you want it. This is a time for introspection. So maybe, sit down and make a list of things that are important to you in college and see which school matches those best. If you need to pay more to attain your goals, it will definitely be worth it. Sacrifice is a necessity for success. Good Luck and God Bless.</p>
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<p>In certain fields, certainly, but this isn’t universally true.</p>
<p>I do agree, though, that the experience at Cornell will be quite different than GTech’s. Do you want to go to an engineering institution, where you will be studying primarily alongside other engineers and scientists (and one that is 70% male), or do you want to go to a more comprehensive research university with all kinds of students and a robust social/personal life?</p>