Cornell vs Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hey guys... </p>

<p>it's been a while since I last wrote here. But to start: I've taken classes both at Cornell and at Berkeley, so I've got my own impression of the two... however, I'd like to hear what you've got to say about them - advantages and disadvantages.
Which one do you think is overall better, has overall a greater reputation, and then, especially in the following undergrad majors:
CompSci
Philosophy
Economy</p>

<p>Thanks! I will appreciate a lot any useful info on the matter.</p>

<p>PS: Sorry for the double post.... apparently some bug!</p>

2

<p>yeah I had to make the same choice but then again I was a pre-haas applicant so that was a whole different story.</p>

3

<p>I know that for Econ. Berkley blows Cornell out of the water, no competition.</p>

4

<p>Well, for graduate study, sure, but for undergraduate study I don't think it matters much. You are learning the exact same thing at Cornell as you would be at Berkeley, and you will enjoy smaller class sizes and better professor interaction. Additionally, isn't the econ major at Berkeley capped?</p>

5

<p>Well, my question is somewhat this.... Imagine you could switch from Cornell to Berkeley, or Berkeley to Cornell, without worrying about transferring credits, moving from one coast to another, or such similar issues, and that you liked/disliked both colleges and locations equally, .... which one would you choose based on the name or "extras" and why?</p>

<p>(And yes, you got my point I guess: I'm considering transferring. But NOT because of Cornell itself. It's really too complicated to explain in here, and I know no body wants to listen to personal stories)</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
Well, my question is somewhat this.... Imagine you could switch from Cornell to Berkeley, or Berkeley to Cornell, without worrying about transferring credits, moving from one coast to another, or such similar issues, and that you liked/disliked both colleges and locations equally, .... which one would you choose based on the name or "extras" and why?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You made this "an all else being equal, which would you choose" question that's supposed to revolve around name or extras...</p>

<p>You took away from the question the most important aspect. Where do you want to go? I am a huge Berkeley fan and don't hide that. But I've also been to Cornell and am a huge Cornell fan.</p>

<p>As an undergrad, I would imagine that all the departments you listed will give you a great education at either school. While the overall departments at Berkeley are going to be at a higher echelon in terms of sheer academic strength perhaps than Cornell, I think it doesn't matter at all. And there's an argument to be made that Cornell is going to give you a better overall experience; I might debate that, but it's an argument that can be made.</p>

<p>So what I would recommend rather than listening to the inevitable ****ing match between the partisans of each school about which has greater prestige -- which is pretty laughable in my opinion when you are talking about an Ivy League university with incredible quality or on the other hand Berkeley -- why don't you focus your inquiry to look at rates of placement in the industries or schools you want to go to and whether certain classes or majors are impacted or capped?</p>

<p>And furthermore: what do you want to do? And yes: we want to listen to personal stories to tailor useful advice to you....</p>

7

<p>are you planning on grad study in econ? is econ just a way to get into i-banking? </p>

<p>are you looking at majoring in something other than econ?</p>

8

<p>BedHead, thanks for your post.</p>

<p>Yes, I know I've made such a question, and believe me, I agree with all you said. I wouldn't even think of asking such a question if I really had no clue what's the best to do in my situation.</p>

<p>That thing said, I have to admit that even if I'm not the greatest Cornell fan, I've become a bit accustomed to it. I've got my friends and my habits there. Also, I've taken summer classes at Berkeley, and I wasn't really impressed. But then, I'm telling myself - those are not the regular classes, and I must be missing a lot, it must be totally different.</p>

<p>The reason I'm started thinking of a transfer at all is that starting this fall, I'll have to fly back regularly to San Francisco. I'll be missing classes at least one week each month. (Btw: that's not a problem for me studying... I am really serious about this, and I am capable of doing my work without being supervised... this might affect my grade only as long as the professor requires any attendance).</p>

<p>You ask me what I want to do - well, I have no idea. It seems to me I want to stay in Cornell... On one hand because I don't like too much having to go through the transfer process, and on the other, because, I admit that, even if I try not to be influenced by my disappointing Berkeley experience, I cannot help it.
But then, in order to complete all the work I want to complete, it means I'll be there at least 4 more semesters... and as you can guess, if I survive the ticket costs this year, it might become troublesome the next one.</p>

<p>EDIT: I forgot to mention one thing.
There's something I definitely liked better at Berkeley than Cornell. See, I'm about 2-3 years older than the other students in my graduation class. While it seems to be a small difference, believe me, it matters. (And not because it matters to ME, but because it is the way it is). At Berkeley, it seems as if it's much easier to accept different people, from different backgrounds and ages without having to explain why you are what you are.</p>

9

<p>ResurgamBell:</p>

<p>I am currently working toward majoring in Philosophy and Economics. I am definitely thinking about Business school, but I have not set my mind on it yet.</p>

10

<p>Keep in mind if you transfer back to Berkeley it might take more than four semesters to fit in all of the classes you need due to waiting lists, et. al.</p>

<p>Still traveling to the Bay Area once a month would be a bit of a hassle, although it seems that traveling twice a semester would be doable.</p>

<p>Both Berkeley and Cornell are fine schools. It sounds like you should make your decision based on logistics/hassle.</p>

11

<p>A few things:</p>

<p>My gut is if you like Cornell, stay at Cornell. The first step to liking something like a university with all its pros and cons is to become accustomed to it. I'll bet you give Cornell another year and you'll be getting more and more enthusiastic about it. I think it'll be hard to get to the same point with a school you transfer into with only a couple of years to go.</p>

<p>Don't assume your classes will be impacted or oversubscribed at Berkeley; there is crowding at Berkeley, but it tends to be way overstated according to the numbers. That said, don't assume the opposite. Research.</p>

<p>Summer classes at Berkeley don't require admission, are often taught by non-Berkeley professors, and occur in a dead zone (summer is dull in Berkeley, IMO).</p>

<p>Flying is a total hassle, particularly from Ithaca. But your friends are there...I'd stay in Ithaca and just deal.</p>

12

<p>Thank you all for the posts. Though I was already thinking about all of those things, seeing that other people have the same stand helped me better realize what I wouldn't admit. </p>

<p>CayugaRed and BedHead: I am pretty much convinced I want stay... I realized that I really don't want to have extra semesters because of a transfer, and I am already feeling somewhat "comfortable" in Cornell... it's definitely gonna be a big mess with the flights, but I'm gonna do my best at it... we'll see what happens :)
If after a semester of flights from one coast to another and back, I change my opinion on the matter, you might eventually have to deal with me again.... j/k ;)</p>

<p>PS: do you think it's a problem if I apply for transfer just to be secure, and then - if accepted - tell them I am giving up? I know it doesn't sound too good, nor too serious, but in my situation, I'd rather have a back up plan if the flying around doesn't work.</p>

13

<p>Back up plans are always good.</p>

14

<p>oct/nov/dec/jan/feb/march snow and sunset at 430-530 pm can make you suicidal.
ny has this problem,
cali, for the most part, does not.
academics are, on the whole, similar.
therefore, berkeley >> ithaca.
q.e.d.</p>

<p>...go easy on me you loyal cornellians, i go here as well, and i generally like it.</p>

15

<p>both will provide a fantastic education. Both offer small classes at the upper division level. One is urban, one is not. Both have great school spirit, but Cal has big time D-1 sports. On average, a public is gonna have more bureacracy and less services (advising career, counseling, etc) than a private. But, both are large, so you need to seek out assistance (unlike a LAC where they'll find you). If you are a Calif resident, UC is half the price (dunno your finaid situation). And, yes, monthly travel from Ithaca to SFO will be a real pain, and costly. If you plan to settle in NorCal, starting jobs might be easier to come by from Berkeley, if for no other reason you would be local to interview, and local CS profs are connected to local companies.</p>

<p>Since the UCs only accept apps in the fall, you definitely should apply as a transfer so you can make an informed decision in the spring.</p>