Cornell v. Wesleyan

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Can someone help me make the impossible decision between Wesleyan and Cornell? I was admitted to the Cornell ILR school, arguably one of the best schools of its kind. How does Wesleyan compare to this, specifically in regards to International Relations? When I visited both, the atmosphere at Wesleyan seemed much nicer. Everyone was outside enjoying themselves, sitting on the lawn, etc. At Cornell everyone seemed to be studying (granted, it was a Sunday night). How do the night lives compare at both? How are the people (and the girls?) At the moment, I am completely torn. On one hand, I feel like I will be passing up the educational opportunity of a lifetime if I do not go to Cornell, yet I am not sure I would be as happy there than I would be at Wesleyan. </p>

<p>Someone help!</p>

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<p>well International Relations major really isn't a neccesary major, it isn't because all business is global now. I would choose Cornell ILR because its the best school of its kind.</p>

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<p>How does Wesleyan compare to this, specifically in regards to International Relations? I'm not sure about the rankings of specific programs, but every program at Cornell is consistently at the top. In ilr, you can take classes in both the ilr school and in other colleges. Even though your exact major will no say "international relations" the courses you take will reflect that, which is all that matters. ILR's department of "international and comparative labor" focuses on the most important issues of IR; trade and globalization. The classes go in depth on policy issues of IR, how the governments are interacting, and how the US and the world are dealing with workers who are paid 3 cents for a full days work for products that we are probably wearing right now. </p>

<p>When I visited both, the atmosphere at Wesleyan seemed much nicer. Everyone was outside enjoying themselves, sitting on the lawn, etc. At Cornell everyone seemed to be studying (granted, it was a Sunday night). How do the night lives compare at both? Yeahhhh, Sunday night is study night to say the least. If you came a day earler, you would have seen a much different picture. It was our "catch up" day from having fun all weekend. Sunday through Wednesday nights usually consist of either doing work or hanging out, relaxing, movies, other simple leisure activities. Starting Thursday through Saturday the frat parties heat up and many students take advantage of that. It's a work hard, play hard atmosphere. </p>

<p>How are the people (and the girls?). The "average" student at Cornell is very driven, brilliant, and very well socialized. I hope you had a chance to talk to some cornell students at a lunch or something, have you? If so, what were your impressions there?</p>

<p>On one hand, I feel like I will be passing up the educational opportunity of a lifetime if I do not go to Cornell. I would agree with this. </p>

<p>Yet I am not sure I would be as happy there than I would be at Wesleyan. What are your main fears? Cornell probably offers significantly more student activities (a freakin' bowling alley on campus and 700 student clubs). I think you'd be passing up a huuuge opportunity just because you have this notion that you might be happier at another school. Cornell makes sure that 14,000 undergraduates are happy and entertained. What if worst comes to worst? Just transfer to Wesleyan. I highly doubt this would happen, but it'd be a whole lot easier to transfer to Wesleyan than to Cornell. This brings up another point, what if you're not entirely happy at Wesleyan? Then not only would you be not enjoying college, you would have passes the opportunity of a lifetime at Cornell. </p>

<p>Come to Cornell, you'll have a blast (really). If you have any more questions, just ask, i'm an ILR student as well.</p>

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<p>Cornell's social life will definitely best Wesleyan's. Middletown truly blows and the town doesn't really like Wesleyan or its students. If you want to do ILR, Cornell is basically a no brainer. Take your seat in the ivy league; ride the prestige magic carpet. Wesleyan's small, Cornell is the perfect size. </p>

<p>You mentioned happiness. Can you visit Cornell by any chance before you make your decision? You might get a better impression if you don't go on Sunday night. My visit to Wes was similar to yours at Cornell if that helps. Wes truly showed its size that day, the campus was deserted, not a soul in sight. This would never be the case at Cornell. Hopefully you can set aside your negative impression of Cornell's atmosphere and reap the benefits that Cornell has to offer.</p>

<p>I've got a friend going to Wes but only for a year. Afterwards she's taking advantage of a preferred transfer option to Cornell. She's doing that for reasons you shouldn't neglect.</p>

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<p>if you're doing IR and plan to do anything abroad (whether it be in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East) use Cornell's name to you advantage. Cornell has a medical college in Qatar so the university's presence in the middle east is very well known. This could benefit you alot vs. a college that nobody had heard of. </p>

<p>A big difference between the two schools is size. Cornell is large while Wes is very small. </p>

<p>As a university as a whole, Cornell will offer more students, more clubs, waaaay more courses, more alumni, and more opportunities. </p>

<p>Wesleyan's size will offer a "closer knit environment," though I do have a few friends at Wes and I wouldn't want to be in their environment, which was described as "artsy-fartsy granola." If you wanna be something like an english major in an uber small environment with alot of poetry lovers, go to Wes.</p>

<p>ILR offers the best of both worlds here. It's unique in the fact that it's a small school within a large university. You will get to know a very large percentage of other ilr freshmen and it's impossible to walk through the halls of Ives and not see at least 5 or 6 people you know very well. ILRies work together alot, it's a real close bond. But, we're also in Cornell University. There's access to everything the school has to offer, you can take over half you courses over the 4 years in Arts and Sciences or Engineering if you wanted to. Or, you can stick to only ILR classes if you wanted to. ILRies get to know their professors very well and the research opportunities are abundant. </p>

<p>"Take your seat in the ivy league; ride the prestige magic carpet" Though i wouldn't choose Cornell because of it's prestige, i do want you to realize the benefits that will be afforded to you as an ivy league student. You will receive global recognition for having attended one of the most widely known and elite universities in the world. Like I said before, this can be espeically important for international relations like you're considering. Cornell's has alumni connections all over the world, and the university itself is a cultural melting pot. </p>

<p>And i'll also agree, Cornell's social life will definitely best Wesleyan's.</p>

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<p>Cornell will also provide a more comprehensive range of opinions on most every topic, which is important. College is for broadening one's mind.</p>

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<p>and I'm told Wesleyan has no real school spirit, and no sports to speak of.</p>

<p>I don't know if you are a sports fan, but Cornell Hockey is the best... even if you are not a hockey fan you'll become one after four year. They missed making the Frozen Four (the hockey equivalent of the final four) this year by one game. I drive down to Princeton every year to see the Cornell-Princeton hockey game, and there's usually more fans rooting for Cornell!! And the lacrosse team has been ranked as high as #3 in the nation. There is a ton of school spirit, and always something going on either on campus or in Ithaca.<br>
I had several friends in ILR. (I am a graduate of the Arts and Science college) They all loved it. One guy transferred from Kenyon (a small LAC in Ohio). He was so incredibly happy to get away from the boredom of that environment, where there was absolutely nothing to do, and get to Cornell, where there is just so much stuff going on. </p>

<p>Of course it's a personal decision. Some people really prefer a small school. With ILR you actually have the advantage of a relatively small college in a large University setting... it's the best of both worlds.</p>

<p>But as a Cornell alum, when I meet someone who went to Cornell, there is an immediate bond...there is a lot of connection and networking between Cornellians as well. I don't know if that exists at Wesleyan.</p>

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<p>rds248 brings up an important point at the end of his post. There are over 200,000 living Cornell alumni today. That is quite a network waiting to be taken advantage of by up-and-coming Cornellians. I sincerely doubt that Wesleyan's alumni network can even begin to compare.</p>

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<p>Actually, that's not true. Wesleyan students have tons of school spirit; it just takes different forms. Fifty-five % of the 20,000 living alumni contributed to the annual fund last year. How many Cornellians contribute to their alma mater after graduation? Not many. If your alum don't have enough pride to chuck a few dinars Ithaca's way, how good can their network be?</p>

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<p>Again, not trying to put down Wesleyan,
It is a very fine small liberal arts college, definitely one of the top ones in the country.</p>

<p>but Cornell endowment stands at 3.2 billion dollars. So a few alum have given a few dinars over the last 100 years.
And as far as national and international reputation, I don't think there's much comparison. Again.. it really depends on what you are looking for.</p>

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<p>even if Cornell had a significantly smaller percentage of alums who were active in the Cornell community (which isn't true), the sheer numbers of alums would totally outweigh this anyways. I have been hooked up with some totally sweet internships through Cornell alums, and I know of many people in very influential jobs who want to be faithful to their alma matter Cornell. After all, Cornell does have 10-times the living alumni of Wesleyan. I think this may be especially important when it comes to an international focused major like the OP has indicated. </p>

<p>PS - why would cornell have school spirit if it wasn't a fun place to be? Cornellians are very active whether it be at athletic events or in the community. I have yet to be bored. I wish i had my camera on me as well, there must have been hundreds of students laying down, tanning, playing frisbee in the arts quad and in other places around campus.</p>

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<p>"After all, Cornell does have 10-times the living alumni of Wesleyan."</p>

<p>And ten times the number of graduating seniors all looking for hook ups.</p>

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<p>really?</p>

<p>705 freshmen at Wesleyan vs. 3,076 at Cornell. Math tells me it's just over 4 times.</p>

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<p>Some go to graduate school...</p>

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<p>I visited both and:</p>

<p>LOVED cornell
HATED Wesleyan</p>

<p>Cornell was probably my favorite that we visited, tied with Vassar.
Wesleyan was the standout worst.</p>

<p>Our tour guide at Wesleyan was incompetent, there was no adult at the info session (only two kids who knew NOTHING about the school: at all).</p>

<p>I also thought Wesleyan was ugly. That Center for the Arts has got to be the ugliest building I've ever seen in my entire life.</p>

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<p>Don't pass up this fantastic opportunity!</p>

<p>at Cornell you'll be getting an education in applied IR vs. just a certificate from Wesleyan. </p>

<p>Wesleyan just doesn't have the name Cornell does when it comes to something like IR. I cannot stress the importance enough. If you go to Cornell, you'll have no trouble finding an IR related job. The school's world-renowned recognition is never in doubt. There is a big probably that this will not happen at Wes. due to the lack of its name around the world. What's the point of going to a place like Wes. if you might not be able to get a job in the field you want. </p>

<p>Cornell will help you tremendously when it comes to IR, dont throw this away!</p>

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<p>gomestar, u should seriously become chairperson of Cornell Viewbook Commitee :D</p>

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<p>well, i think the OP should SERIOUSLY look at Cornell especially because of his/her major. International recognition could play a big part in whether or not he/she gets a job after graduation. </p>

<p>I would gladly take the position of the viewbook committee. Actually, I have an appointment with the dean of ilr admissions in week or two to discuss possible changes to the viewbooks and for Cornell days and such.</p>