Hi guys so I was luck enough to get into Michigan and Cornell (waitlist) and I have to choose quickly. I got into the most basic liberal arts program at both schools because I’m not sure what I want to study. I was accepted January 2018 admission to Cornell which is a little iffy because it seems like it will be harder to make friends. I know cornell is a little more prestigious but also very rigorous. I want to rush but michigans frat life is a little intimidating. Ann Arbor is supposed to be amazing compared to Ithaca where there isn’t much to do. Any suggestions at all? Anything would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
My D2 was a Spring start but as a sophomore. For that transfer it can indeed be a little tougher to get integrated socially.
As a freshman it might be easier, if they house you with all the other freshmen. Or maybe not. I’m not sure.
Also I don’t know how rush would work for somebody starting in the Spring. Or arranging other housing for the next Fall. You should find this out.
Personally I love Ithaca.
Could you do a semester at Michigan and then decide if you want to transfer to Cornell? I am not familiar with the spring admit program
I don’t think you’ll have a problem fitting in and finding friends if you choose Cornell as a spring 2018 admit as long as you can get into freshman housing. My son had a spring transfer into his housing and the new guy fit in great. Cornell is rigorous but if you got admitted, you can do the work as long as you don’t slack. My son is stem, his roommate liberal arts and my son said his roomie was always writing papers! However, both had a great academic/social life balance their first year. Ithaca may be less urban than Ann Arbor but I think that lends to the close knit factor between Cornell students. I know my son enjoyed plenty of social outings and parties and he’s not in a frat. You will find your tribe and enjoy all Cornell has to offer should you choose it.
@brandonbko I’m a spring admit too! Did you decide to attend Cornell?
Both schools are superb. Both are plenty prestigious enough. If you want to be an investment banker you might be better at Cornell due to the “Ivy League” thing, but for any other career either one would be a great place to start.
Expect either to be academically very challenging. Either one is going to require that you have a good winter coat.
Go to whichever you can afford, and to whichever you want to go to (probably in that order).
What about cost? If it’s the same then I would choose Cornell. Here is a comparison between Michigan vs Cornel.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/compare?xwalk_id=190415&xwalk_id=170976
I am for one who do not want funding of education to be dependent on state budget.
Just got back last week from a four day trip to Ithaca. Its lively even in the summer months. Very friendly city.
Ithaca has a walking mall, lively downtown, called Ithaca Commons:
http://www.downtownithaca.com/
Men’s Hockey, and other sports:
http://www.cornellbigred.com/sports/2015/8/7/Tickets_0807153916.aspx
Performing Arts:
http://pma.cornell.edu/content/pma-performances-events-2017%E2%80%9318
Water sports and outdoor education at Cornell:
http://coe.cornell.edu/
Year round Farmer’s Market, music, food, quick meal can be had: (it is indoors in the winter)
http://www.ithacamarket.com/
Best ice cream I have ever tasted at the Cornell Dairy Bar.(made from dairy cow herd at Cornell) Food is very good in Ithaca in general.
http://living.cornell.edu/dine/wheretoeat/cafescoffeehouses/cornelldairybar.cfm
@Coloradomama what a great list!! I regret not going to the Dairy Bar for the ice cream
@brandonbko what school did you choose?
@CALSmom try the blackberry ice cream at Cornell next time. HEAVEN, so creamy, and delicious. There is nothing like that Cornell Dairy Bar for tasty treats. I have to say I was really happy visiting Ithaca. The Buttermilk Falls hike is close in, and the waterfalls are stunning. I really like Cornell’s campus and the friendly town that gets along with Cornell. Not every town likes its university, but Ithaca does.
@CALSmom chose cornell in the end
Congratulations @brandonbko 
You’ll love it! Welcome to the Big Red family
@Coloradomama thanks, will do!!
I graduated from Cornell then went on to University of Chicago and Wharton for graduate school. Both Chicago and Wharton was in urban areas but I found Ithaca better. I worked for Morgan Stanley and Salomon Brothers and those places recruit at Cornell but not at Michigan. It’s not even a choice worth pondering.
FWIW I don’t think Salomon Brothers is recruiting at Cornell either anymore.
Or anyplace else.
(Acquired by Travelers Group in 1998, name dropped by Citigroup in 2003)
But besides that, even back in the dark ages when Salomon roamed the trading floors, the recruiting practices at different firms, and even different departments, varied. My firm did get analysts (hires from undergrad) from both of these schools.
Some firms hired MBA students at a particular school I’m familiar with for certain departments, others didn’t go there at all. My firm basically didn’t recruit there for investment banking, then a few years later they changed their mind and recruited there.
So I guess I’m saying extrapolation about Wall Street recruiting beyond one’s individual experience may not be accurate.
I wouldn’t begin to comment on what goes on now, because I don’t really know.