<p>Alright, first off, I am going to Cornell CAS this fall. The other colleges I got into are not even close to what I want to get out of college. I also absolutely love the campus.</p>
<p>However, I have this dreadful feeling inside of me that Cornell is not going to fit me, and I'm not really sure why. My friend, who is quite similar to me, just chose Emory over Cornell. I am worried about the competitiveness here. I will probably be a psychology major with a concentration in biopsychology and go pre-med. I am a pretty laid-back person and I could honestly care less about the prestige of an institution (I just like to be around other smart people and learn about what I am interested in), and I like to work and talk with people who share my classes and such. Am I just going to be left out alone? Will I be able to survive in such a cut-throat environment?</p>
<p>The winters scare me, and I've lived in New Jersey my entire life.</p>
<p>I've heard rumors that people here often are isolated and only socialize through drinking. I do drink (not enough to have all of my fun be dependent on it), but am I going to meet unique, cool people who actually know how to have fun in other ways? Are ever-lasting friendships made here? Are the girls here mostly rich/pretentious/arrogant, or is there a good portion of sensitive/laid-back/not-obsessed-with-getting-drunk-every-night?</p>
<p>Sorry if this sounds whine-ish, but I am just worried that I may be spending a year here just to end up transferring somewhere else. Also, don't think I dislike Cornell, because it was tied as my first choice with Brown (rejected), and I would probably find more problems with other similar schools. Thanks.</p>
<p>Im right there with you. I have a feeling that were both going to find that Cornell has a lot of great things to offer, especially the people. While there are certainly going to be the fair share of arrogant pretentious jerks, the majority wont be. I am also nervous about the competitiveness…it’s going to be hard.</p>
<p>I am a freshman at Cornell, and to be honest the first semester I thought I would never become one of those people who pushed Cornell on people. my cornell acceptance was unexpected and it wasn’t even my dream school. But Cornell has definitely grown on me.</p>
<p>yes, theres alot of drinking that goes on here. yes, its cold (im from florida hahah…trust me you just put on a coat and deal with it). and yes, there are lots of things that I could complain about here. And yes, I spent the first semester kinda wanting to transfer. But now I love it here and have also met some of the most wonderful people in my life and have made friendships this first year that will no doubt last a lifetime.</p>
<p>Cornell is such a large place and there are so many different types of people here. if you want a certain group of people to hang out with, you can find it. But also keep in mind that the first year of college will change you…I know I could have never imagined how much I would grow and change in this past year, and I think Cornell really gives you that room to grow and change. Also cornell is hard, but most of the people here are not cut throat…most of the people here just work hard…they don’t sabotage. and well, there are lots of girls who are rich/arrogant/whatever…but theres also lots of nice girls…just like in real life.</p>
<p>I think anywhere you go, there will be things you like and things you don’t like. And if you had attended your “dream” school…it might have not met your expectations. Sometimes you just have to make your choice and make the best of it. good luck :)</p>
<p>I am a freshman at Cornell. I worried about the same things that worry you. I have found that Cornell is a school with endless opportunities. I have friends in every Cornell college and I have never heard of anyone being competitive with each other in a negative way. Everyone seems to want to help each other out. </p>
<p>I’ve found that Cornell is full of interesting people (which I guess explains the admission process?). The huge diversity of people leads to a feeling that there is always something new to learn through everyone you meet. The rural environment allows you to fully experience college and to really get to know your classmates. There are so many different sources of things to do - your dorm, your floor, north campus, greek life, clubs, events…the list really goes on and on. </p>
<p>I was surprised at the weather - it really is not that different then what you experience in New Jersey. This winter was pretty similar to what was experienced by the entire northeast. </p>
<p>I think everyone has the same fears when they head off to college. At Cornell, like most other colleges, you can make your own experience. Make a big effort to be outgoing, especially in the beginning, and things will fall into place. I love it here and can’t wait to come back for my sophomore year. I chose Cornell over Brown and have not regretted it for a second!</p>
Before I came to Cornell, I had this feeling too. I literally didn’t sleep for days and lost all appetite.</p>
<p>
I am the epitome of a “laid-back” student. I procrastinate. I believe in getting where I’m going by taking the most direct route. I’m still about to graduate with honors. There are students here who are very bright, but, in all seriousness, if you were bright enough to get in, you’ll do just fine. I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. I doubted myself before I stepped foot on campus, yet I performed way better here than I did in highschool and am enjoying myself way more.</p>
<p>
I lived in Long Island all my life, which isn’t that far, and I hate winter. In all seriousness, the winters are the same thing as in LI, but more snow. Cornell’s snow management system is extremely efficient–you will never step in more than 1-2 inches if you try not to. I always had to shovel snow back home and just hated snow all around, but I’ve come to like it. The snow isn’t the same as what you think–it’s warmer when it snows here. The snowflakes are huge. It’s like a surreal snowglobe. I can’t desribe it dude, but seriously, this is the least of your worries.</p>
<p>
I don’t drink and I go to parties all the time. I had this misconception to and it’s totally false. Cornell’s so huge, you can find any type of person anywhere. I’ve literally never been bored up here.</p>
<p>
I had choices of schools too. NYU, Carnegie, Cornell, etc. I came here and loved it. Once again, I’m a city guy, hate winter, don’t like being too far from my family, and am not into the frat scene at all. But I absolutely love it here.</p>
<p>I’ve heard this so many times from prospectives and others asking me what Cornell’s like. You’re not alone. And if you do come, you’ll be just fine man. They’re all just stereotypes and misconceptions. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.</p>
<p>don’t be worried about the competitiveness. there will always be those who are very, but most are not. at least thats how I feel. Although in some classes, you will have to be somewhat competitive, especially if you are premed (Bio lab for example)</p>
<p>I think everyone has those feelings, at least to some extent. I was extremely nervous about the same things you are nervous about, but I found (like everyone else here), that most of the things that worried me were unwarranted. You’ll fit in here - it’s large enough that everyone can find their niche. Also, it’s really not that competitive. Work hard and you’ll get good grades, like anywhere else. I honestly think that I would work just as hard, spend the same amount of time on work, be just as stressed during exams, etc. if I went to any other school.</p>
<p>Let me also stress the fact that: If you have made friends with people you think you like, and then find out you don’t necessarily like them as much as you thought you did, then move on. It is very easy to meet new people here, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to talk to/hang out with one group of people because they are who you have been hanging out with for a while.</p>
<p>I feel like a lot of students forget about this, and when they get into this sort of predicament, they get nervous and anxious and sad. Don’t let it escalate to this point.</p>
<p>Probably the biggest myth there is. The truth is people are just the opposite. I was in engineering, which people claim is incredibly competitive, and I found everyone willing to help. At office hours, anyone you ask for help is glad to provide it.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>People love talking about classes. You’ll probably get to know a lot of people in your major from your freshmen year courses. That’s when the group kind of bonds together. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They’re not really bad. Maybe a little little little bit worse than NJ. Get a North Face jacket and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well it’s in a small town, so people don’t leave campus very often. And there is a good amount of drinking that goes on. But that’s at every university. </p>
<p>But the good news: You drink a little. So if you go a party, you’ll probably get a drink. If you feel left out b/c you only have a half a drink, don’t worry. When someone looks at you holding a drink, they don’t know if that’s your first drink or your 10th. If you don’t mind being around others and only drinking some, then it shouldn’t be a problem. No one is going to force you into drinking. The people who have the most trouble are those who don’t drink at all.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Some are. Most aren’t. In my experience, Cornell was surprisingly middle class. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No school is going to be perfect for you. Believe me, if you had gotten into Brown, you’d find stuff to not like about that as well.</p>
<p>^
No. Cornell’s not the biggest school, but it’s probably one of the most diverse in terms of types of interests and backgrounds.</p>
<p>I had friends who drank like fishes and I had friends who never drank. Even in the group that drank like fishes, a few never drank (on moral grounds) and were extremely respected for it by those who drank. </p>
<p>There’s a niche for everyone. Just don’t follow the crowd. If you find yourself thinking everyone at Cornell comes from Long Island, wears black, moves in massive packs of others dressed identically, and builds their social life around mixers, then you can be sure you are following the pack and haven’t found your own niche.</p>
<p>Juliet, Cornell is much like the demographics of drinking in the broader culture. There are a percentage of students who drink too much, and a considerable portion of this group tends to join the Greek scene. Then there are the students who moderately engage in the ill-considered beverage choice on occasion. Finally, there are a substantial percentage of the smartest students who simply do not drink.</p>
<p>The notion that the kids who have the “most trouble” are the ones who don’t drink is not merely silly, but very foolish. Just the reverse is in fact the truth. Unfortunately drinking is still something that a certain misguided portion of our culture will engage in to some extent, but you are one of the luckier – and smarter – students if you continue to steer well clear of that trap.</p>