Cornell or UNC.... Help me decide!!!

<p>Hi all!</p>

<p>I am an international student. I got accepted to Cornell and UNC at Chapel Hill and I cannot decide which one to go. Help me decide!! Just have too many things to consider.....</p>

<p>Cornell
major: Human Biology, Health & Society (College of Human Ecology)
Cost (tuition, housing, etc.): around $60,000</p>

<p>UNC at Chapel Hill
major: Health Policy Management (School of Public Health)
Cost: around $42,000</p>

<p>I know Cornell is an Ivy and has a great reputation, but don't know well about how renowned UNC is in US. People around me think I should go to Cornell, but only thing that makes me hesitant is that UNC has a really strong public health program (I read it's 2nd in nation after Johns Hopkins and even better than Harvard).
And also I am planning to attend grad school, so I was thinking it would be fine to go to UNC for undergrad and go to more famous grad school.
Also I don't get any financial aid for both schools since I am an international student.......</p>

<p>Other factors:
-I prefer living in warmer weather (UNC)
-My sister is attending Cornell</p>

<p>And if you know the atmosphere (both in & around the school) of each school, please tell me!!!!!! Also don't know how urban Ithaca or Chapel Hill is!</p>

<p>Help me decide! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>Because of it’s intercollegiate basketball success, UNC is very well known around the US, probably more so than Cornell. As you point out, Carolina has a very highly rated public health program, and it is cheaper than Cornell. I went to grad school at UNC, and the weather is much, much better than upstate NY. </p>

<p>Based on the criteria you mentioned, Carolina would seem to be the choice for you.</p>

<p>Are you looking to go to med school? Any ideas of what you want to do after college. If its business/ finance then cornell. If its med school then it doesn’t matter. If its an MPH program post graduation then it also doesn’t really matter. Personally I feel UNC is one of the nicest undergrad campuses/ environments anywhere.</p>

<p>Ignoring (for the moment) Cost.</p>

<p>Cornell is the generally considered to be the better school, Nationally. Regionally, UNC has a great reputation.</p>

<p>Is it worth the money – you’re the only one who can answer that question. How much of a hardship would the additional cost be on your family.</p>

<p>Intangibles – again, will differ for each person.</p>

<p>UNC is on par with Berkeley, UCLA, Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin among the top publics plus you would be able to take classes at Duke and at 18K per year less I would opt for UNC.</p>

<p>Ray Yoo – I am a Cornell grad. Here’s my two cents:</p>

<p>(1) do you get along with your sister? If so, maybe Cornell
(2) do you like basketball, warm weather or BBQ? then UNC
(3) do you want to save a bunch of money? then definately UNC</p>

<p>If you work hard and get good grades, you will be able to go to grad school or do whatever you want at either school.</p>

<p>My vote: Save the $$ and go for the BBQ.</p>

<p>I spent seven long, dark, cold winters in Ithaca, NY as a grad student at Cornell, and then as a grad student’s spouse while waiting for Happydad to finish his degree. Some of the most talented grad students we knew there had done their BA or BS at UNC. I’m with jonkras on this one. Save your money, stay warm(er), and eat that BBQ.</p>

<p>Well Ray Yoo.</p>

<p>I’m just proud of you. I’m also proud of you being serious about your future.</p>

<p>I really don’t mind what college you decide.</p>

<p>I know you will make the best decision for yourself.</p>

<p>May all your future be pleasant.</p>

<p>First of all, thank you all so much for the replies!!!</p>

<p>@slipper1234 I am not sure what I want to do exactly, but I am thinking about working for UN, WHO, or other NGO organizations… And this is a dilemma cuz if I choose to go to UNC because of the strength of program and change my interest, then there’s no point of attending the school w/ strong public health program…</p>

<p>Then if the cost doesn’t matter, where would you guys go???</p>

<p>Again, Thank you all so much!!!</p>

<p>UNC i think. save the money, and they are both prestigious</p>