Cornell or Duke

<p>I was wondering which school, Cornell or Duke, would be a better choice. I plan on majoring in biology for pre-med. I would greatly appreciate any information.</p>

<p>The sciences are particuarly strong at Cornell. I would say that's your best choice, bio doesn't get much better. However, I'm not sure how Duke stacks up in that regard.</p>

<p>In terms of academics, I think the schools are about equal. You should make your decision based on geography and environment--which one is best for you.</p>

<p>I am also interested in chemistry.</p>

<p>both schools have great academics, but Cornell is extremely good with the hard sciences. Though environment plays an important issue, all things set aside i'd say Cornell is stronger in what you're interested in.</p>

<p>I'll be the first to tell you that Chemistry at Cornell is AMAZING. I'm an AEM (business) major, and I loved CHEM 207. Cornell has some of the best professors in Bio/Chem/Physics anywhere.</p>

<p>Do students at Cornell get less attention from the professors because there are many students?</p>

<p>nope, i was actually worried about this before I arrived on campus. I figured the professors would be more worried about thier own research and not their students. Every professor I've had has been fantastic. They're not only brilliant scholars but really down to earth people as well. I've had lunch with a few of my professors (in fact, i'm scheduled to have lunch with my law professor next week!). My professors have been very interested to hear what their students think about a topic and they feed off of us for ideas/suggestions.</p>

<p>Super5Parent,</p>

<p>Here's how it works:</p>

<p>You have lectures by Proffessors. In some intro course, these can get large, but the Proffessors will always stay back to help you, if your too reclusive to not ask in class. You can mail the profs or just walk into their office if u do have doubts otherwise while studying.
Graduate students sometimes hold Sections for topics that r tough. Its like a revision class, and really helpd sometimes. From what i hear tho, these sections are held foir most topics.</p>

<p>on the whole, proffessors are very approachable and are always willing to help. What I really like about Cornell is how these profs help u nurture and develop ideas u have, which rarely happens at other schools.</p>

<p>Arjun, how can you tell people how it works, and what you like, when you don't even go to Cornell.</p>

<p>is it a crime to know a lot abt my future alma mater?</p>

<p>There's a difference between knowing a lot and having formed opinions based on experiences you haven't had yet. </p>

<p>Of course there's nothing wrong with Cornell pride, but you always seem to talk as if you're already here--it's not really a bad thing, just potentially misleading to the people that read your posts.</p>

<p>That being said, a friend of mine turned down Duke for Cornell (engineering though, not bio) and has no regrets whatsoever.</p>

<p>The difference between Cornell and a smaller school is that Cornell students aren't spoon fed everything. If you have the initiative, you can meet professors (with one F) during their office hours, join clubs, etc.</p>