<p>I'm really torn right now between a decision between Swarthmore or Cornell. On one hand, Cornell really attracts me because of the beautiful campus, vast research opportunities, brand-name quality while Swarthmore really attracts me because of also its beautiful campus, small/intellectual student population and general campus ambiance.</p>
<p>My intended major is scattered right now... but i'm mostly looking at either biology or economics.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?
Thanks! :D</p>
<p>bump… thanks!</p>
<p>Advantage of Cornell: A wider variety of opportunities, spectacular campus, less claustrophobia, variety of smart people. </p>
<p>Advantage of Swarthmore: personal attention and support for your interests, Quaker mentality, incredibly intellectual. </p>
<p>Disadvantages of Cornell: More impersonal, large class size, “gorging out,” being mysteriously scorned by many on College Confidential (unfairly!), brutal winters </p>
<p>Disadvantages of Swarthmore: One dining hall, the “Swovel” (so small that when you talk behind someone’s back, you have to “Swovel” around to see if they’re there. </p>
<p>You can’t go wrong, but if you really want a very personal education where you will be supported, go to Swat, and if a small school sounds claustrophobic, choose Cornell.</p>
<p>Really a 50-50 call as far as academics go, particularly your intended majors. </p>
<p>I do think logistics can make a difference over four years. Ithaca is a long haul for most people to get to whereas Swarthmore has train service and is close to a major city and all it has to offer.</p>
<p>Cornell will have specialization options and access to resources, especially for biology, that Swarthmore cannot offer simply because of its size. I know of an excellent herpetology lab at Cornell, and they have a gene sequencer as well. If you are interested in reptiles or genetics than that is worth considering.</p>
<p>Thanks for the opinions everyone…</p>
<p>This may sound kind of stupid, but does anyone believe that future opportunities will overall be more limited having graduated from Swarthmore than from Cornell?</p>
<p>No–Swat has an incredibly high rate of having its people go to the best grad schools in the country.</p>
<p>You would no doubt get a great quality education at either. The main thing you have to consider is that Cornell is much larger than Swarthmore, and there are advantages and disadvantages that come from both. I just wanted to note that Cornell’s bio program has a great reputation around here.</p>
<p>Feeder schools to the top Med, Law and business schools…</p>
<p>you should find this very helpful regarding one of your questions:</p>
<p><a href=“WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights”>WSJ in Higher Education | Trusted News & Real-World Insights;
<p>first of all CONGRATS! I would factor in money (as I always do), but all things being equal its about fit. What is great about Swarthmore is it’s proximity to big city life and the LAC bubble, probably one of the best LAC/City combos out there. Cornell is well - Cornell - Ivy etc. It is also Ithaca which some folks LOVE and others call Cornhell. It really depends on your taste. Having said all this, I would probably go with the best offer in your shoes. All things being equal, I might opt for Swarthmore based on its location and connection to the surrounding universities (Penn, Haverford, Bryn Mawr). You could take classes at all those places!</p>
<p>I have this intangible feeling that Swarthmore may fit me better, and they gave me much more aid than Cornell… I guess the major thing that’s making me linger upon Cornell is its status as an Ivy, which sucks because it makes me feel incredibly superficial.</p>
<p>JohnAdams… thanks for the great link!</p>
<p>NotTooCrazy, forget about the Ivy stuff. I have spent the last year or so researching colleges, and I have to tell you, for undergraduate school, the big 3 LAC’s hold their own with anyone…</p>
<p>Anyone of importance would know the true meaning of getting an education at such an incredible institution as Swarthmore, even compared to the Ivy’s…</p>
<p>so do what your heart tells you to do and either way you will get a great education.</p>
<p>I would definitely choose Swarthmore, but I may be biased towards LACs. I also hate how much precedence people give to Ivy League schools. I know they’re elite institutions, but IMO LACs like Swarthmore are just as good. In the end, it comes down to location and size preference. And aid if money is an issue. Personally I like Swarthmore a lot more and would be incredibly happy if I am accepted when I apply next year, but both are great schools. Visit both if possible and see which one feels better. From what you say, it seems you like Swarthmore more, but don’t want to let go of the opportunity to go to an Ivy. My advice is to follow your gut and go where you feel you will be happiest.</p>
<p>Swarthmore is fully “Ivy-equivalent” for academics, so don’t worry about that one.</p>
<p>Do the math, if SC is cheaper for you, go there. If CU is cheaper, go there. Both are top-notch institutions.</p>
<p>“I guess the major thing that’s making me linger upon Cornell is its status as an Ivy, which sucks because it makes me feel incredibly superficial.”</p>
<p>The Ivy League label doesn’t save it from the scorn it gets from many. You should go to Cornell; it would probably eat you up inside if you turned down a university in the Ivy League. If you’re miserable at Cornell, you’ll realize what a terrible mistake you’ve made and what a fool you’ve been; but, if you end up happy at Cornell, then you’ll be all the more pleased with yourself being able to tell Joe the Plumber you went to an Ivy League school.</p>
<p>Whether you get a good job/get into a good graduate school after having attended either of these schools is up in the air.</p>
<p>Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Swarthmore is even more exclusive than Cornell. All things being equal, I think Swat is a better value (because of the small classes and personal attention), but things being UNEQUAL, well, that would definitely put Swat ahead. </p>
<p>Okay, college board says:
Percent that get in: Swat 17 percent, Cornell 19 percent.
SAT scores, Critical reading: Swat 670-760, Cornell 630-730
Math: Swat 670-770, Cornell 660-770
ACT: Swat 30-33, Cornell 29-33</p>
<p>So as far as the scores go, Swat beats Cornell by a fraction.</p>
<p>[Where</a> Do the Children Of Professors Attend College?](<a href=“http://ideas.repec.org/p/van/wpaper/0302.html]Where”>Where Do the Children Of Professors Attend College?)</p>
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