<p>My sister goes to Cornell, and after looking what Cornell has to offer, I can see that out of the Ivies, Cornell offers probably the most possibilities and opportunities for undergraduates. The alumni network and everything just seems to make Cornell one of the best schools. Also, Cornell seems to match me almost perfectly. Still, it is the least selective of the Ivies, and I believe it almost gives Cornell the reputation that it is a lesser Ivy, or an Ivy for people who couldn't get into a "real" Ivy. How popular is this reputation? If I go to Cornell, will others view me as someone who just wanted the Ivy name, but couldn't get into a more selective Ivy?</p>
<p>I think the reputation is fairly widespread, but Cornell is an amazing school and there’s absolutely no shame in going there, if you can even get in. Some people may view you as just wanting the Ivy name, and my guess is that you are included in that. Just look at the way you phrased the second half of your first sentence:
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<p>To me, it certainly sounds like you’re choosing Cornell largely (or at least partially) because of it’s Ivy League status.</p>
<p>If you put stock into what other people think of your school, then you probably also believe in rankings. Anyone who wants to bash the number 15 school in the nation can go right ahead, but all it does is make them look jealous (or if they’re from a higher ranked school, like a prick).</p>
<p>I’ve learned to ignore rankings and what other people say about my school. Most are very congratulatory on my acceptance, but there have been a few that mocked it. Who cares about them.</p>
<p>Sirensong: I’ll admit, coming from the affluent area that I come from, the Ivy-League status means something. I will be applying to multiple Ivies, but honestly, I think I would enjoy myself more at Cornell than I would at, say Harvard. I am willing to step down a little bit in terms of selectivity of schools, but around here, people do get mocked as not really being “Ivy-worthy” at Cornell. Unfortunately, the area I live in has shaped the way I view Cornell a bit. Still, I know how great a school it is. My sister goes there and she loves it, and I am considering it for early decision, even though I think I MIGHT have a shot at the more selective Ivies, and I know I’m definitely not a “shoo-in” at Cornell. </p>
<p>ZFanatic: I love the way you think. I wish I didn’t care as much about the way others view me, but as I just said, around here, you are judged by the school you go to. But I guess once you are at Cornell, everyone appreciates that they are at an excellent school, studying something they are very passionate about.</p>
<p>Oh I understand, I used to care. I occasionally thought “man, I wish I was good enough to have gotten into Harvard or Princeton,” and then I realized “well how much does 10 spots in the ranking matter, when there are THOUSANDS of schools…” It’s like saying “I’m gonna buy this bag of grapes because it has 1-2 more in it than this other one but they’re the same price.” It’s a negligible difference. </p>
<p>If you’re worried about post-grad education, I’ll tell you that there won’t be any difference in reputation between Cornell and Harvard. For most medical schools anyway, it’s more of a tiered view, and there’s little preference given for being in a 1st tier school over say a 3rd tier school. Most public flagships are viewed as being almost on par with the best schools. Can’t speak for Law/Grad/Business schools, but I’d imagine it’s not much different.</p>
<p>lesser --------------------------> less</p>
<p>As you say, you would choose Cornell over Harvard (same with me). If someone makes fun of you for going to Cornell instead of silly HYP, just laugh with them and sing this song:</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Cayuga’s Waiters - We Didn’t Go To Harvard](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Rjk1WGHp8]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Rjk1WGHp8)</p>
<p>As an alum, I can tell you that I’ve worked for and with people from all the top Ivies and no one’s ever looked down on me for going to Cornell. In fact, they are often the ones who took me in as “one of their own”, even though they went to Yale or Harvard or wherever (this goes for Ivy League + women on the dating scene as well. It’s always seen as a positive). You have to put it in context: would you look down on someone who graduated from Northwestern or the University of Chicago (with its really high admission rate)? Probably not. The person could just as likely school you intellectually as not.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I studied at Harvard after graduating from Cornell and came to really appreciate Cornell that much more. For all the reasons you suspect Cornell is the best school for you, it probably is. Perhaps if your interest is one specific field, another school might be better. But I could NEVER have gotten the breadth and quality of education at Harvard across numerous colleges within Cornell. </p>
<p>But, as an undergrad, I too assumed that they were intrinsically superior until I worked with enough graduates of the HYP types that could hardly tie their shoes. Not all, but enough. I realized it’s what you make of it, and in the end what spoiled brats from some Northeast prep culture think is irrelevant. They have no clue.</p>
<p>Cornell sucks. It’s terrible. Did you know it’s–gasp!–a state school that teaches kids how to milk cows? I heard it’s one of the lesser SUNYs. You’d be better off somewhere else. Don’t apply. Concentrate on HYP.</p>
<p>i would say that cornell’s strengths lie outside the traditional fields that HYPS excel at…</p>
<p>but that doesnt mean cornell isnt competitive…</p>
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<p>Would that include the line “no we don’t like crimson plus we didn’t get in?” ;)</p>
<p>^well, we didn’t apply because we don’t like crimson…so of course we didn’t get in!!!</p>
<p>anyone, it’s a fun song.
Also - ResurgamBell brings up a good point…Cornell’s programs are much different than HYP - Hotel School, CALS, ILR, Human Ecology, etc. If you want one of these programs, Cornell is clearly a better fit for you than HYP.</p>
<p>Yeah, like ResurgamBell said, Harvard and Yale produce presidents and lawyers, whereas Cornell produces scientists and engineers. So even though few (I not sure if there even is one) Cornell grads become president, Bush (who has degrees from Harvard and Yale) could never be an engineer</p>
<p>Cornell produces many, many lawyers, trust me.</p>
<p>There are a few schools that are (yet) more selective for admissions.
If you’d rather go to one of those, by all means do so.
On the other hand, if you feel that Cornell has the programs and environment that best suit you, consider attending. This will not make the university more or less selective than it is, in anyone’s reckoning.</p>
<p>It would be nice if people would not post stuff like this, nobody should have to be in the position of having to defend with “no we’re not lesser”. That’s insulting. If you feel it’s “not good enough” for you don’t apply. But don’t post stuff on a school’s subforum titled “your school: worse than the others?”</p>
<p>It was plenty “good enough” to me. YMMV.</p>
<p>“Did you know it’s–gasp!–a state school that teaches kids how to milk cows? I heard it’s one of the lesser SUNYs.”</p>
<p>You are misinformed. Cornell is not a SUNY school.</p>
<p>Check out the price tag in case you are confused.
Cornell tuition: $37,954
SUNY tuition: $5,000</p>
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<p>Don’t forget about the discounted tuition of $21,814 for NYS residents who attend one of the three contract colleges. Not SUNY cheap…but still a good deal for an amazing education :)</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure he/she was just joking (sarcasm).</p>
<p>I thought that was pretty obvious. LOL</p>
<p>don’t feed the ■■■■■</p>
<p>treehugger go to brown</p>
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<p>Last time I checked, Cornell was an excellent school (among the best) and no one attending it needs to feel insecure about it…</p>
<p>Unfortunately, too many of the insecure kids on this website feel the need to try to put other kids down. It seems like this phenomenon is rampant on this site! People obsess over silly stuff…kids being kids…I guess. In the real world, you shouldn’t expect to deal with this sorta stuff.</p>