<p>A friend has the choice between Cornell and URoc, and is likely choosing URoc on account of FA, partly. URoc is an amazing school, but what about their chemistry and biochemistry programs really sets it apart? How do students, present and future, feel about the school? Is Cornell worth significantly more debt?</p>
<p>I don’t know about those programs, but Cornell is not worth significantly more debt. Period.</p>
<p>My kid loves UR. I’ve managed to spend a fair amount of time with kids at school and the kids I’ve met are bright and engaged in their work. I meet a large number of UR grads and they are all fans of the school. They are, in fact, as positive about their experience as Northwestern grads tend to be, which is saying a lot.</p>
<p>What if it was only a 9k difference for the first year and likely less for each following year because of changing finances? I am really glad to hear that, though, that you enjoy URoc so much :)</p>
<p>I chose URoc over Cornell, and I don’t regret it. The Science Dept is definitely strong and you’re going to be competing with just as smart kids. And of course, its always a plus having to pay less, going in debt is just not worth it.</p>
<p>To be quite honest, nothing really sets U of R Biochem/Chem apart from the rest. The faculty are dedicated, sure, but this is true for almost any of these departments at other schools.</p>
<p>What will set U of R apart is the dedication to research for such a small school. Because of this, there will be more opportunities to get involved in research and get personal attention (the Medical Center’s location across the street helps as well). The students are smart, too.</p>
<p>Practically, one should consider the financial situation first and foremost.</p>
<p>I’m a genetics major at U of R and honestly, the faculty are highly accessible and for the most part, want to help you and see you do well. I am in a research lab and I have been since freshman year! That’s not something you can say for a lot of research universities. I’ve taken a good amount of chemistry and also biochemistry for my major and the biggest thing I would say is just the willingness of the faculty to help you out. My experience at U of R has been great and I couldn’t think of going to another school.</p>