<p>Hello everyone. I am from Pakistan and I am new to the forum. I have this very tough decision to make which has brought me to this forum. I have been admitted to both Cornell University and Amherst College with almost full financial aid so money isn't an issue. Now, both schools are very good and I am confused about which one to choose. I have applied for the Economics major at both colleges. However, I am also interested in Accounting. Cornell provides many Accounting courses after which I can even qualify for the CPA exam. Amherst, on the other hand, doesn't offer Accounting but I may be able to take some courses at UMass but that will hardly qualify me for CPA. Also, there are drastic differences between the two. Amherst has much smaller classes and its academics are considered more rigorous but Cornell's overall college life seems more attractive. Now, what would you guys suggest? Also, I don't have much time to make the decision so quick replies would be appreciated. Thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>Sounds like you’re already leaning toward Cornell so go with your gut. I’m sure you’ll have a remarkable time, it’s a great opportunity, and besides why go to a college that doesn’t offer one of your priority classes? Congratulations! These are 2 wonderful choices.</p>
<p>Think about the environment you want to be in – Cornell is a large university and Amherst is a small liberal arts college. If you want to study accounting and if you have been accepted into the business school at Cornell (you didn’t say which school you would be in), then I guess I’d lean that way. If you are not in the business school at Cornell, then you need to check and find out if you would be eligible to take accounting classes. Two great schools - there is no right or wrong answer.</p>
<p>My honest feeling is once you enter either school you probably aren’t going to focus on accounting when you see all your classmates chase more lucrative careers in finance. Thus, I think Cornell’s offering these classes is rather a moot point. Both are going to place very well, about equally, into top finance jobs. Amherst could be arguably more prestigious in some circles, but both will take you to the same place. My guess is that you might prefer Cornell’s social experience (I’d prefer Amherst - but I prefer smaller schools). In the end you win with either choice.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the responses. I don’t know why but my heart says Cornell so I think my choice would be Cornell then (maybe its the “ivy weight”). @slipper1234 i do not think Amherst provides a major in finance as it is a liberal arts college. However, Cornell has some courses in finance</p>
<p>Sarah - you don’t require any courses in finance to get a finance job. In fact its the opposite - top finance firms recruit econ majors mostly and in fact that is the most popular feeder major into finance (the top banks). Finance does not operate the same way accounting does.</p>
<p>@slipper1234 even then i think it is good to have more options on campus and Cornell definitely has more options. Thank you for your help anyway :)</p>
<p>I’d choose Cornell, because Cornell is a top research university. Undergrad students at top research universities would have plenty of top-quality research opportunities, and that’s something that a school like Amherst couldn’t offer. Additionally, if you decide to go back to Pakistan someday, the Cornell names carries more weight in that country.</p>
<p>I am a Cornell alum who went into finance. Both schools are wonderful. There are many reasons to choose Cornell, but do not do it for the accounting courses. I was smitten by Amherst when I visited it although I knew that I wanted a larger school. If you really want to take an accounting course at Amherst, you can always do it at Umass next door.</p>
<p>Sarah</p>
<p>Based on what you’ve written, I’d recommend Cornell. First off – absent a clear reason to go to one school over another, going with your gut feeling is as good a way to decide these things as any.</p>
<p>Second – currently you want to study accounting. It appears that you have concluded that Cornell will provide better preparation than Amherst. If you change your mind, I think your options will be at least as wide at Cornell as they are at Amherst. If you don’t change your mind, then Cornell is the right decision.</p>
<p>Having said all this – Amherst is also a great school, and you won’t go wrong with whatever your decision is.</p>