Hi. I am a senior in high school and have been accepted to both Binghamton University and Cornell University (school of Human Ecology). I am unsure of what I want to major in 100%. I did not think in my wildest dreams that I would ever get into Cornell. In fact, as soon as I got into Binghamton I told everyone I was going because I didn’t even forsee Cornell as an option.
Now, I am in quite a dilemma. I committed to Binghamton, because Cornell had not finished my financial aid. They gave me an extension until this Friday, and they just finished it today. My package is very good. In fact, it is very similar to what Binghamton’s price point would be.
I fell in love with Binghamton because I thought I would go there from the begining. But I know that Cornell is obviously a better school. I visited the campus, and did not love it… It is very big and I feel as though it is slightly depressing. Also, the people there seem very competitive and frat-ish (lol).
I don’t know whether I am just siking myself out. I am very intimidated by the idea of Cornell. Honestly, I’m also afraid of not doing well… But I feel like I will always regret it if I don’t take this opportunity.
Any advice? Thanks!
Normally, my advice would be to go to the school that you love and gave you the best feeling on your visit, in this case that would be Binghamton.
However, if Cornell is giving you aid to match the price of Bing, maybe you should consider trying Cornell for a year, and if you really dislike it, I’m sure you could transfer to Binghamton.
You have two good choices. Congratulations.
I suggest you analyze very carefully the Human Ecology program of studies, including # credits that will have to be taken in-college, and think about how your course of studies would play out if you go there. After doing this exercise, my son decided not to apply to Hum Ec, because there seemed to be too many things he would have had to take that he didn’t want to take. But that was him, not you.
After this, consider that Cornell will be a lot harder, so decide whether you are up to the challenge.
The campus seems big at first, but once you get there you find that half of it you don’t need to go to, at least not right away, and it becomes functionally smaller.
The frats are very visible, nevertheless most people at not in frats. There are frats at Binghamton too.
My son has no regrets about not applying to or attending Cornell. He believed he didn’t want that work load or academic pressure.
I, on the other hand, kind of wish he had done it. Because now he is just floating around, while my Cornell-grad kid is succeeding in the workforce… Not that these two outcomes are guaranteed from either school, But that’s my own , statistically insignificant, personal point of reference…