<p>I just got into HMC and Cornell but I am not sure which I should attend. Right now I am pretty set on mechanical engineering and I want to do some kind of research. HMC's Clinic seems great but I don't want to put such a financial stress on my family by flying from New Jersey out to California several times a year. Cornell also has more name recognition than HMC and more engineering clubs.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice about what I should do or know the advantages one school has over the other?</p>
<p>I would imagine it’s mostly about the classic “big-school- little school” tradeoffs, small classes vs. # courses offered.</p>
<p>To get a handle on the magnitude of the latter, go to the registrar’s list of courses at each school, count the courses offered in engineering this semester at each college.
Where this could matter is, if you get interested in some sub-specialty area, and your school doesn’t offer it. The sub-field of engineering I wound up going into isn’t offered at all at Mudd, zero courses. I’m sure there are many other sub-areas also not represented.
Of course it’s likely there are other bread and butter areas that are just fine, and the training for those is probably outstanding.</p>
<p>Socially Cornell is 50-50 Male-female, with diverse options frats/ non-frats, sports no sports, etc.</p>
<p>It offers high-level courses in numerous diverse areas of study, from the traditional liberal arts subjects to the various specialty colleges.</p>
<p>as a NY area alum I am amazed at the number of alumni activities that are being offered.</p>
<p>I loved Ithaca.</p>
<p>If you should find that engineering is not your thing, switching to another college there should not be a big problem providing you are doing ok. (though this should be verified).</p>
<p>cornell has a lot of east-coasters. I’m guessing Mudd has more west-coasters.</p>
<p>Two great schools, do what you like & what feels right.</p>
<p>I’d lean toward Cornell. It has better name recognition, a well-ranked mechanical engineering program and plenty of research opportunities as it is a large research university.</p>