<p>So, I just found out I was accepted to BU with an aid package that will cover full tuition costs with grants, leaving me with loans to cover everything else.</p>
<p>I received a likely letter from Cornell so should get my acceptance next week with everyone else. If their aid is the same as what has been published, then it will be a better package that BU.</p>
<p>I applied to HumEc and plan to major in dietetics.</p>
<p>I know this is probably the wrong place to even ask this question since I am sure all the responses will be biased, but...</p>
<p>Is there any reason why I should even consider BU over Cornell for my undergrad work?</p>
<p>A friend’s kid graduated from BU, honors or something, he didn’t seem to think too highly of either the university or his fellow students. It seemed to be just sort of thrown into Boston, not much of a true college experience.</p>
<p>I’m sure there’s some reason to consider it, everyone thinks Boston is a great place for college students, and if someone strongly prefers to be located in a major city vs. a collegetown then that would be a thing.</p>
<p>But based on what I heard, if it were me I’d take Cornell .</p>
<p>Well, maybe if Cornell ends up giving you less FA and you can’t afford a pricy college (although you said Cornell will likely give you a better package). </p>
<p>Other reasons to pick BU - well, Boston is a great city, some people don’t like Ithaca because it’s small and in upstate NY whereas Boston will have more things to do…and BU probably doesn’t have a big Greek scene so maybe if you prefer that…and I can’t think of anything else, but I guess just pick whichever school you like more. I’m sure you know Cornell comes with more prestige and is looked upon as being more academically rigorous, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn it down for BU…so congrats on getting into both and good luck with your decision. i’d personally pick Cornell but that’s just me.</p>
<p>same situation as you but I got less money from BU, although still a really good amount. If Cornells fin aid is even, I’ll go there in a heartbeat. I’ve been to both, loved both, but BU seems a lot like GWU, where there’s no caampus, it’s like a bunch of office buildings (but I’m sure you already know all that). </p>
<p>Pick Cornell, especially if the FA is good.</p>
<p>I only applied to BU because it was one of the better schools that had a dietetics program and Cornell was borderline “good fit” school for me.</p>
<p>Well, hopefully my fin aid will come soon after they release decisions. I am going to visit cornell for a few days during Cornell days. I can then be sure about my decision.</p>
<p>I like the idea of being in Boston, but I do wish that BU had some kind of campus, any kind of campus actually. But, hopefully if things go well for me at Cornell, I can do my internship at one of the great programs in Boston.</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn’t go to an Ivy just because it is an Ivy and just because it looked better on my resume or internship application. Well, maybe if it looks better on my internship application, haha</p>
<p>I am more concerned with making sure I get the best education, selection of research opportunities, etc…</p>
<p>honestly, I know Cornell is the “easy” choice. I really just wanted to make sure I wasn’t simply choosing Cornell because, well it’s Cornell, but rather because it really is the better choice.</p>
<p>I really just didn’t think I was going to get into Cornell I guess. My brother didn’t and I think he was every bit as qualified as I am, so i guess now that I know I am getting an acceptance, I just want to be sure I don’t overlook something at my other choices.</p>
<p>I can’t wait to visit next month. I sure hope the weather is nice when I come.</p>
<p>First of congragulations on your acceptances both institutions, Cornell and BU, are great schools which will provide with you a great education and social life. With that said, I’m gonna go and the opposite direction as most people in this board and say that it would be smarter to go to BU over Cornell seeing that right now in this economy especially that money is tight and financial aid will be essential to your choice.</p>
<p>Since you got into Cornell Human Ec. I should tell you that as far as financial aid goes, most Out Of State Students will be snubbed really badly. The fact is that since Cornell’s budget is quite frankly get hammered right now; it makes sense for them to admit O.O.S students who can pay $50,000/year than an In State Student who will pay only half the tuition at $25,000. That is why I can pretty much guarantee that as far as financial aid goes Cornell will not be good for you this year, since they will want you to pay full tuition for HumanEc. I’ve also had this happen to some my friends and family as well, who got into UNC/Michigan/Berkley as Out Of State Students and were expected by their respective Out Of State colleges to pay the whole tuition for their college.</p>
<p>Once again, I wish you make the decision that will make you happy, and enjoy your 4 years wherever you go.</p>
<p>I’m actually a freshman at BU right now, trying to transfer to Cornell for Fall 09.
From my experience, BU is different. The atmosphere at BU is what you would expect from a mid-level, expensive, private school: lots of rich kids from the east coast and CA, 40/60 guy/girl ratio, 10% of the guys being gay, maybe not as many smart people as you’d meet at Cornell. And no frat parties either. Actually, BU is notorious for cracking down on drinking. For a while, our floor was on lockdown and RAs were patrolling every weekend.
But some people do like BU so it just depends on what you want out of college.</p>
<p>kk23, you have no idea what you are talking about. I attend one of the contract colleges from OOS and receive amazing FinAid. It is not a state school that doesn’t have money to give need based grants, Cornell’s new FinAid policy is excellent for those from lower income households to the point it is almost free.</p>
<p>I would say the best way to tell about which is better is to visit them both, if you can. Cornell and BU have VERY different atmospheres, and in the end, you’re not going to like one more than the other because of how their academics are. Talk to students, go to info sessions, see where you can see yourself…</p>
<p>I pretty much disregarded kk23’s post altogether since he/she obviously doesn’t know about how great the financial aid is at Cornell. Not to mention it was his/her very first post. Probably it is morrismm posting under a “new” name. But hey, I am just a ■■■■■ so what do I know.</p>
<p>One of the reasons i am so excited to be accepted to Cornell is the great financial aid. BU did give me a good package covering everything but room & board with grants, but that still leaves a lot to cover with loans and since I will need to do an internship and grad school, getting out of undergrad with no loans sure sounds great.</p>
<p>I am 95% sure I will go to Cornell. Basically unless I get there and it just seems totally off, I will be there next year.</p>
<p>Thanks to all those who posted useful information</p>
<p>I would go to Cornell. You said it was the easy thing to do, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to go against your gut instincts. I doubt the financial aid will be that different. Even if there was a difference of 10k a year, I would go to Cornell just for the experience. You only live once and you don’t want to go to a school you don’t want to go to just because of money issues.</p>