<p>So I've narrowed down my choices to apply ED to Brown and Cornell for CS, and I really like both but I can't decide which would be better. I know there have been a few threads about this already (I already looked at them) but I would like a more current perspective since the universities may have changed in a while.</p>
<p>I really need help deciding which would be a better fit, so any advice would be great. Also note that I don't really have any cost restrictions, I come from a high income family more than able to pay for both.</p>
<p>Here's how I see my situation so far... </p>
<p>Cornell:</p>
<p>Better overall CS program
Very well respected for CS
Offers ORE as a major for undergrads (operations research & engineering)
LOTS of research opportunities, and even a few in theoretical fields that i'm REALLY interested in.</p>
<p>And I feel like the things taught there are going to be a lot more in depth for some reason but I may be wrong.</p>
<p>Brown:</p>
<p>Smaller student body -> more likely to have smaller classes
MUCH more liberal from what I hear.
I get to take any classes I want.
In Providence, I like the small-city feel than living in a small town like Ithaca -- I have never been to either though
Less well known CS program, but I hear good things about it
I hear that it has a happier environment, and people are more friendly/active.</p>
<p>Could anyone add anything to the lists of advantages of each? I seriously don't know where to apply. And I can't visit either because I'm in another country (but still a citizen)</p>
<p>They are both fine schools and you seem to know the important points about them and the differences between them. Nobody but you can or should decide which school is the better. Trust your gut instinct. If you have a clear favorite, apply there ED, if not apply to both RD.</p>
<p>I just don’t want to end up choosing the wrong university… and I don’t want to apply RD to both because I’m afraid I don’t have the stats to get in (yes I know it’s bad to apply early just for a higher acceptance rate but i’m not really doing so JUST for that) as an unhooked applicant to either. So I was hoping to see if anyone could add anything at all to help me tip the favor towards one or the other…</p>
<p>Cornell is completing construction on a new high-tech building for CS, Bill and Melinda Gates Hall. The joke on campus is that the bendable “screens” over the windows are to protect the all-glass building from baseballs…it was built next to the baseball field. I think the screens are actually there to control sunlight exposure…not sure. I would go with Cornell if you can get in. Ithaca is also a small city although not as large as Providence. Cornell CS has a weeder course - can’t recall the name - so take a lighter load that semester. CS majors should know which one I’m referring to.</p>
<p>Both Cornell and Brown offer strong CS majors for undergraduates, so I would recommend that you choose on the basis is where you would be happier. It is too bad that you did not visit either campus, because you would find that these universities have different vibes.</p>
<p>Cornell is located in the City of Ithaca (about 30,000 people) and the Town of Ithaca (about 20,000 more people). While rural landscape surrounds Ithaca, I would not describe Ithaca as a small town. The Collegetown neighborhood adjacent to the university is similar to the East Side of Providence, where Brown is located. Cornell itself is huge, so it does not give the feeling of small town living.</p>
<p>The City of Providence has 182,000 people, but it is the center of a metropolitan area with 1.6 million people. The downtown area with tall buildings is about a mile from the Brown campus. The area immediately surrounding Brown is mostly low-rise residential, with a few business streets. It is urban, but not like New York City. Brown University is about one third the size of Cornell, so it is bound to feel more personal.</p>
<p>At Cornell you have to choose which college you want to apply to. You can study computer science in either the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) or in the College of Engineering (COE). The requirements for the CS major are slightly different in these two colleges, so you should read up on them.</p>
<p>At Brown you simply apply to the university. A few years ago there was a supplement for students who wanted to major in engineering, but I do not know if that would include CS. Check into it. Brown famously has no distribution requirements, but it still has requirements for majors. You might want to look up the CS major requirements at Brown and compare them to the two options at Cornell.</p>
<p>Brown will be more convenient in terms of transportation since you are coming from far away. Ithaca is not convenient to get to.
Also, the winters will be a little milder in Providence than in rural NY. Less snow too.
Both are excellent and you would be lucky to attend either one!</p>
<p>@Fifty, yeah there’s still a small 500 word supplement which asks 4 questions… its for any science/CS/math related major, nothing too difficult.</p>
<p>Okay, I guess I’m kind of leaning towards Cornell, but what I’m a little worried about is that I’ve heard a lot that Cornell is a really lonelyish place in comparison to Brown despite the fact that the former has much more students. Is this really true? And is the campus environment really lifeless, and are all the students just engrossed in studying their material rather than socializing?</p>
<p>It is easy to make friends at Cornell and there are many, many clubs and organizations to join (if you have time). You are almost certain to make friends with roommates and others in your major. There is no limit, really, except your own gregariousness and time constraints. You might find a lot of Asian and/or international students in CS…not sure if that will be an impediment for you…good opportunity to broaden horizons. You won’t be able to befriend thousands but you will surely make a few close friends for life. The campus environment is vibrant and the seasons are beautiful although the foliage color seems delayed this fall.</p>
<p>Attended the Harvard-Cornell football game last Saturday. Big crowd (homecoming). The Cornell marching band is far superior to Harvard’s. Harvard may have an edge in creativity, though, with the weird Pok</p>