Hello!
As the end of the year is just around the corner, I must begin taking decisions as to where I will study next year. I have been admitted to Cornell University (College of Arts and Sciences) and have conditional offers for both Imperial and UCL (Biology). I would really appreciate some help to aid in my decision. I would like to know your opinions on which school you think would be best, based on a few factors:
Academic rigor
Prestige in the eyes of recruiters/adcoms (I intend to pursue a PhD)
Academic opportunities (such as undergraduate research, fieldwork, etc)
Student experience and social life (yes, I know it’s not the most important, but I also want to enjoy my time at uni)
Any input would be appreciated!
It all depends on where you want to live/work. If you want to live in the US after graduation, go for Cornell. If you want to live in the EU after graduation, go to Imperial (not UCL)
I have thought of this, but I am not quite sure yet where I would like to permanently settle. However, I am pretty sure that I would want to do a PhD in the US after my undergraduate degree, so I do not worry too much about job prospects yet. I think my parents are leaning much more towards Imperial, because it won’t financially cripple them so much. Do you think I have good chances to get accepted into a good PhD program in the States with a first from Imperial, or would they rather have someone from Cornell? I know that grad schools admit quite a few international students from top European schools, but I don’t know really how they are viewed in comparison to someone from an equality elite US college.
Definitely go to Imperial. Both are excellent schools, but imperial is 3 years only and much cheaper. You will have no problem whatsoever to get into a top grad school from imperial. Don’t worry about that. Just think about the difference between the liberal arts system of the US vs. the rigid system of imperial.