Hello, I am a current undergraduate student at Georgetown University (McDonough School of Business) majoring in Finance and minoring in Arabic and Computer Science with a 3.82 GPA. I took 16 credits my first semester between Arabic (6), Computer Science (3), Microeconomics (3), Introduction to Biblical Literature (3), and Microsoft Excel (1). My second semester I took 18 credits between Arabic (6), Computer Science (3), Macroeconomics (3), Accounting (3), and Statistics (3). I was just recently accepted as a sophomore transfer student (Fall 2017) to Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences for Computer Science. I would be planning on double majoring in CS, Econ, and minoring in Arabic. However, I am facing a tough decision on whether or not to attend Cornell for the Fall.
A few things about what I care about: the cold does not bother me at all and, in fact, I find DC to be a bit too hot for my taste (4 years in a New England Boarding School), I do not mind being in a city or not a city (again the boarding school thing), and I do care about the academic programs (specifically for what I am studying). I am here asking for what you believe the pros and cons of Cornell are for what I want to study and the school in general and what you believe I would be gaining/giving up by transferring from Georgetown to Cornell. I am here really hoping for some first-hand answers from current or past Cornell students or relatives of Cornell students. Thank you all so much for your help.
Cornell Arts and Sciences alumna here. You can’t go wrong with either. Although Cornell is an ivy, I believe Gtown has a better reputation. It’s apples and oranges really. you can get a top notch education at either. Where do you want to be? Cornell is a larger research university with probably more opportunities, but you have to seek them out. I’d prefer to be in DC vs. upstate NY where the sun don’t shine. but to each his own. Cornell has the greek scene, if you are into that.
Cornell Arts & Sciences alumnus here. I, for one do not believe Gtown has a better reputation. Or a materially worse one, either. Overall. (Maybe different among Catholics, I wouldn’t know). However the schools have somewhat different particular strengths, and differences due to location and size, which are rather obvious.
Re: particular strengths, Georgetown is particularly reputed for international relations, but not so much for areas like physical sciences, where Cornell is strong. Cornell is also better know for CS. And Cornell has various areas of study (engineering, agriculture, architecture, etc) that are completely absent at Georgetown.
Since the major differences seem rather apparent to me, I don’t really know what you are expecting to be told. Maybe ask a specific question(s)??
I guess one difference is that, coming from an undergrad business school curriculum, you would have to meet CAS distribution and in-college credit requirements.
You might want to investigate to what extent the credits you are transferring in count towards CAS requirements, or whether they might slightly restrict your ability to take out-of-college electives at CAS.
Another difference is campus-centered university in a college town vs. big city . My D2 went to a different city school. She didn’t like the impact the city had on the vitality of campus life there. People just drifted off into the city, sapping the vitality of the college experience. She transferred to Cornell and much preferred it there. I don’t know if the issues she had at her city school would be the same at Georgetown, but you do know.
Thanks for the responses!! The city does not have much of an impact on Georgetown students it seems, as very few people venture out in the city to hang out and most just stay in the town just outside of campus.
I guess I am worried about the whole process of moving from one school to another. I really want to study computer science, and I know Cornell is vastly superior in CS than Georgetown is. I also did not enjoy my first year at Georgetown very much. I suppose I am wondering about what the academic and social vibe at Cornell is like?
Cornell is a big, diverse school. There is not one academic vibe. There is not one social vibe.
The key is to find a group of people who share your desired “vibe”. Given its size and diversity, they will likely be there.
The most highly represented “vibe” could be described as “work hard play hard”.
Socially the"vibe" varies. there is a large fraternity scene. However 2/3 of the students are not in fraternities. They make their own “scene”. Just like people do in “real life”.
My D2 loved it there, never set foot in a fraternity/sorority. Her social life revolved mostly around Collegetown. I think. Lots of house parties; hanging out in people’s apartments and going out with small groups of friends…
The process of transferring can be stressful, at first, till you find your social group. The first few months my D2 didn’t like it so much, due to slow integration. After that she loved it. A good thing at Cornell is that there are relatively a lot of transfer students who will be in the same boat. If you decide to transfer, maybe you can participate in the Outdoor Odyssey program this summer; that way you will already know people when you get to campus (though they will probably be freshmen). If you have the option, go for housing on West campus, there will be lots of sophomores there.
You should talk to some CS students to see how that program/major is. My guess is its reputation is earned. Meaning it’s probably no cakewalk. But if you do well there, you’ll likely have good opportunities. Is my guess.