<p>Hello all, I apologize for creating yet another college choice thread, but I'm really stuck. I've been admitted to the Engineering departments of both UPenn and Cornell, and plan on starting out with computer engineering for both. Even though I really like working with computers, I am not very set on my choice and really don't know what I plan on doing after undergrad, be it medicine or more engineering or law, or any other program available. I'm from small town PA, but really have no preference in terms of college size or city size; in other words, I don't know enough to have an opinion or preference. Which college would you choose and why? Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>I can already hear the bold, knightly footsteps of Sir CayugaRed2005 the Great.</p>
<p>haha good, i need all the replies i can get</p>
<p>There is already a thread very similar to this -> just look for it
but I think I can summarize it a bit for you</p>
<ul>
<li>rural life is not for everyone, but it's not as boring as some people make out while conversely, urban life is not all that's hyped up to be</li>
<li>Cornell is tops in engineering and the niche majors (hotel, agriculture etc)</li>
<li>Penn is tops in Wharton</li>
<li>Arts and Sciences are going to be about the same quality wise</li>
<li>Prestige-wise they are about equal</li>
<li>Penn might have a stifling atmosphere because of all the pre professionals</li>
</ul>
<p>it's a good thread, seriously go check it out.</p>
<p>thanks for the help, it looks like they're pretty evenly matched, I'm taking an emergency visit to Cornell (went to a Penn Preview once) to see if that can sway me in one direction or another.</p>
<p>Thanks for the props, guys. I should definitely compile all of my responses into one thread or website and make it available to everybody. I'm already almost three years out of college and I certainly don't want to be answering a lot of the same questions again and again, year-in year-out. But this year, I'm living with my parents and have had some health problems, so I certainly have the free time to put the effort into this whole endeavor, even though I should probably be writing the next great American novel, or something. Just trying to help everybody make the most informed decisions as possible, with a little bit of Cornell boosterism thrown in for good measure....</p>
<p>LIGC -- The Cornell engineering program is definitely a notch above Penn's in terms of shear academic, research, and engineering prowess and reputation. But it seems like you are less sure of what you want to do. If you were dead set on an engineering career, Cornell would probably be the place for you. But in your situation, the decision is probably trickier. </p>
<p>That said, some Cornell engineers are premed, a lot go into finance (particularly ORIE), and a fair number go into IP or Patent law. One of my good friends at Cornell, probably the smartest person I knew -- he got his BS in Computer Science in three years and stayed on for a fourth year to get his MS in Civil Engineering, and just got his JD and will be clerking for a U.S. District Court next year. You can do all sorts of things with a Cornell Engineering degree, but at least in the engineering world, the Cornell degree will probably take you farther than a UPenn engineering degree.</p>
<p>So because you are less set on engineering, and I would recommend you chose the schools on other merits -- like the resources you will be interested in taking advantage of and the type of campus feel you want to have.</p>
<p>I would encourage you to read through these two threads. One on Cornell vs. Columbia for engineering, and one more generally on Cornell v. UPenn. I think the same things about Columbia engineering can be said about Penn engineering -- that it graduates a lot less 'true' engineers than Cornell does, and most students find themselves going into business or finance, whereas more Cornell students will find themselves going into real engineering, research, or academia.</p>
<p>I'll also quickly comment on the fact that you are form a small town in PA. If you want more of this type of feel, Cornell is the place, as it is more laid back and the students are less 'uppity' -- for lack of a better word. If you want more of a mover and shaker type of student body, Penn is probably more your cup of tea. There is obviously a lot of variance and overlap in terms of the student bodies, but I think Wharton has a pretty big effect on the rest of the student population at UPenn.</p>
<p>All of my best.</p>
<p>thanks for the help and sorry for having to make you repeat yourself CayugaRed2005, this decision is turning out to be very hard. I went to tour Cornell today, found the campus amazing, as was UPenn's <em>sigh</em>. I'm also wondering why I didn't see those threads in my search...</p>
<p>I have two engineering degrees - one from Cornell and one from PENN. I completely agree with what CayugaRed2005 said. Cornell has a stronger engineering program and far more breadth in the diversity of coursework and studies on campus. While pursuing an undergraduate engineering degree at Cornell, you absolutely have the opportunity to complement your engineering curriculum with such a diverse set of classes in any of the six other undergraduate colleges. That is what defines Cornell. </p>
<p>The other thing to consider is the campus environment. I don't just mean "a small city vs. a big city." Cornell is a much more laid back atmosphere in which to "grow up". While I was a grad student at PENN, I had the opportunity to take several classes in the Wharton school, both with grad students and undergraduate students. Although Cornell's classes were eery bit as rigorous, the atmosphere at Cornell was far more relaxed. </p>
<p>If the tours alone aren't guiding you to a decision, spend more time with students on campus, alums in your area, or anyone else that you can "interview". Best of Luck!</p>
<p>Of course, he really only has 24 hours to decide.</p>
<p>I'll make it easy for you. Just come to Cornell. There's nothing quite like climbing the steps of the clock tower, biking to Treman State Park, eating Cornell grown apples and drinking Cornell processed milk, and spending four years of your life in an absolutely stunning outdoor setting.</p>
<p>Sorry CayugaRed2005, I turned in my deposit to UPenn today. Despite Cornell's awesome engineering program, my own indecisiveness regarding my major swung me to Penn. That was definitely though the toughest decision I've ever had to make. Thanks for all of the help.</p>
<p>Just remember that Princeton's for the pretty boys,
and drunkards go to Penn.
But far above Cayuga,
there's a race of hairy men.</p>
<p>I'll keep that in mind :P , although now I'm a little worried about the drunkeness at penn...</p>
<p>You should have chosen Cornell for one reason..Philadelphia is becoming known as Killadelphia..homicides galore. Go to UPENN's crime stats page you can play connect the dots.</p>