<p>I won't go into details, but I'm an athletic recruit with the option of choosing to go to either Cornell University OR Williams college (and Claremont Mckenna, but I feel the former choices eclipse Claremont). Since the coach from Cornell contacted me, I've been enamored by the school, and the thought of going to an "Ivy" league university - since otherwise I would of just gone to my local State University.</p>
<p>However the other day - one of my friends, whose a premed at the University of Washington, informs me that the Premed program at UW was ridiculously cutthroat - and he's a pretty smart guy (near perfect SATs, all the good stuff). That worries me, because although I'm a pretty good student (around a 2000 SAT), I'm nowhere near the caliber of alot of people on this website. </p>
<p>The coach from Williams college also contacted me also. And from what I've heard - it rather small, but provides a great undergrad education. The coach from Claremont McKenna college also called me too.</p>
<p>Since I'm being recruited - I have the luxury of choosing which school I attend. Whatever school I pick I will have a 100% chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Where you go to school matters - even if the quality of education is the same. Some of you may try and disprove this, I'm not looking to argue, and I realize it may matter much less than I think. Either way I want to obtain an education that will serve me for the rest of my life.</p>
<p>So my question is this: Which University/College has the best Undergrad education? Which has the best opportunities available post grad? Which school is overall, just the better decision? I'm planning on majoring in Biology or something and maybe heading into Pharmacy. I heard that "Corn-Hell" was ridiculously hard compared to Williams and Claremont, but I feel like the name "Cornell" signifies some thing more than Claremont or Williams....I don't know. Will I be able to balance a sport and academics at the same time at Cornell vs Williams?</p>
<p>There was a CC member named ChandlerBing who was choosing between Cornell and Williams this past year…if you look him up, I’m sure you’ll find some good Cornell vs. Williams threads. I believe he ended up choosing Williams.</p>
<p>They’re both great schools with a lot to offer, but each provides a different experience. What first comes to mind is whether you’re looking for a large research university or a small liberal arts college. I initially thought I’d prefer the latter when I was filling out my apps, but you won’t find Cornell’s huge range of academic opportunities at smaller schools. I can’t speak to Biology at Williams, but Bio is a very popular major at Cornell…I’m sure there are plenty of Bio majors on CC who can talk to you about that.</p>
<p>Cornell is Division I Athletics; Williams is Division III. </p>
<p>How much of a commitment do you want to give to your sport? Cornell will demand that you travel more, and spend considerably more time and energy on workouts, practices, and games. And you will still be expected to complete all the work in your classes. Williams will be less of a sports commitment, however, if you’re good enough to play Division I, Division III athletics might eventually become too frustrating for your talents and abilities.</p>
<p>Cornell will not be ridiculously hard compared to either Williams or Claremont. Both are very well respected very tough institutions.</p>
<p>Cornell has an edge over Williams and Claremont in the sciences, especially the biological sciences (it’s a huge part of Cornell that influences lots of divisions).
Cornell is also a large research institution. It has 14k undergraduates all living in one small city that bustles with 18-26 year old life. It has tons of facilities, research opportunities, clubs, fraternities, political groups, publications, etc.</p>
<p>Williams is a small liberal arts college. It is also in a rural area, but what it doesn’t have is the huge amount of students to make the town bustling. And when you have that few students, yes you can focus on undergrad teaching, but you also lose out on the facilities/research opportunities/clubs/fraternities/etc.</p>
<p>Biology as a major will not be easy, regardless of where you go. Cornell does have a lot of premed biology majors, and they will be trying their hardest to get a good grade. But no one here can be called cut throat, and if you are fine with a B, you shouldn’t have to work as hard as the premeds.</p>
<p>If the question is which has the best opportunities available post grad, consider this: Cornell, a research university, is ranked fourth in the world in producing the largest number of graduates who go on to pursue PhDs in engineering or the natural sciences at American institutions, as well as fifth in the world in producing graduates who pursue PhDs at American institutions in any field.</p>
<p>Also consider that this means that you will be competing with some VERY motivated peers, particularly in the sciences.</p>
<p>My D participates in intercollegiate athletics at Cornell. I can tell you that it has been a great experience. I don’t think you would regret the decision to play for the Big Red.</p>