Hello everyone,
I am currently a high school senior living in the Southwest region of the U.S. (not California). My top three choices for college right now are Cornell(Human Ecology), Berkeley, and UCLA. I am pretty sure I want to major in biology.
I know this is a Cornell forum, but it would be great if you could give me your unbiased opinions on which school you think I should attend (finances are not an issue).
Thanks!
I would also like to add that I hope to go to medical school!
Suggest review in detail the curriculum: in-college credits/ course requirements, and available majors and specific courses- at the College of Human Ecology, as well as at your other choices. And think about what courses you would actually take to fill those requirements. What you would study at each college would likely not be identical, and you will probably have a preference.
@radioactivemango Congrats on your acceptances. My D has narrowed her college choices to the same 3 schools as you.
Since finances are not an issue, it would likely be a very comparable cost between Cornell and the 2 UC schools, since you are not a CA resident. With medical school hopefully on the horizon for you, one thing to think about is the learning environment at each, e.g. student to faculty ratio, ability to get undergrad research opportunities, etc. The UC’s have around 35,000 students each, while Cornell has around 15,000. It should be more likely to get 1:1 time with Cornell professors vs UC professors. However, the surrounding areas of each of the UC’s (SF Bay Area, LA county), provides many opportunities for summer internships at biotech companies, etc. Weather is also a factor to think about. Southwest US vs Northeast US are very different.
We told our D who is waiting to attend the admitted students days at each of these schools before making the final call that all 3 of these schools are top universities where she’ll get a quality education. It boils down to what campus feels like home.
Best of luck with your upcoming choice.
@monydad thanks for your post!
@notalreadyinuse That’s cool that we have the same 3 choices! Honestly, my parents would like me to go to UCLA or Berkeley, as it will be closer to home and much better weather. Also with Cornell, it’s quite inconvenient and expensive to travel from the Southwest US to the Northeast. But at the same time, it’s hard to turn down an Ivy League. Both schools seem to have stellar academics.