Cornell vs. Northwestern

College Search & Selection
1

I was admitted to Cornell’s School of Arts and Sciences and Northwestern’s School of Journalism and am going crazy trying to choose between these two incredible schools. Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cornell:
-My intended major is English, but I would change that to Government (w/ a focus in either US Gov. or international relations) and Spanish or Comparative Literature and a potential minor in crime, prisons, education & justice, creative writing, or law and society.
-The 14,000+ students on campus is a huge drawback for me. Ideally, I wanted to go to a medium-size college. Does anyone know how this large student body translates to class sizes (esp in the majors/minors mentioned above)?
-The rural setting is a bit disappointing, but after visiting freshmen year, I truly was impressed with the campus and the nice college town.
-In the social sphere, I get the impression Cornell is disproportionately filled with the flagrantly affluent private school kid (more so than Northwestern, at least).

I’ stuck on Cornell b/c of the incredible name recognition (national + international) and the alumni system. (RBG majored in gov @ Cornell!!! Gasps). Also, being from NJ, going to school in NY just makes more sense logistically (not that I care to be pragmatic in that regard lol).

Northwestern:
-I was admitted to the Medill school of Journalism. How broad exactly is the journalism major? I do like journalism, but I’d feel out of place if everyone majoring in this is set on becoming a journalist. Not sure I’m that fond of the field + do plan on going to law school.
-Alternatively, I do like how focused the journalism major is (the residency program + other requirements).
-I would want to double major (in addition to my targeted interest within the journalism major) in either Government or Spanish/Latino Studies and minor in something similar to the Cornell minors I listed. I’m a little confused in this aspect because I was admitted to the school of Journalism-- I’m still allowed to double major in a humanity though, right (even though it’s not a major in the journalism school)?
-The name recognition is nowhere as strong as Cornell - which is a bit of drawback. “You go to NorthEASTERN?” Not super important but mildly frustrating.
-I love the idea of being right next to Chicago + the location of NU is beautiful. Besides a city making my general undergrad career more exciting, it’ll also grant me countless intern and work opportunities.
-Quarter system?? I like the idea of being able to take more classes + double major more easily, but the awkward breaks sound kinda crappy since they don’t align with those of friends. (not that that’s super important)

I have just recently applied for FA so I won’t receive my FA package until later this month. I am also planning to visit both schools soon.

Please feel free to comment on anything (or all :slight_smile: ) of what I listed above. Thank you!

2

Journalism is a dying field

3

Most people have never heard of Northeastern, and I don’t know why you think Cornell is more famous than Northwestern.

4

Sorry, I should have said most people outside of the Northeast have never heard of Northeastern. It’s a fine school which has gotten much more famous in recent years. But you need to know that in most of the country Northwestern is far more famous.

5

Not true, at all. NWU is as well respected as Cornell - and more so in certain fields - by those who matter. It’s considered one of the top Journalism schools in the country. Plus, Chicago.

Write NWU directly to ask about any specific admission requirements to the school you want to double major in. Since it’s not Engineering, it shouldn’t be hard to get into. I doubt very much it would be a problem.

I suggest you go to NWU since that seems to be your preference and you’re just being held back by a misconception about its “recognition”.

6

Look at the requirements again. I think you are required to take most of your courses outside of the journalism school. They want you to get a broad education and they believe you need to be well-rounded in order to become a good journalist. As a result, I think most students double-major. I remember reading that more than 60% of NU students graduate with some kind of combination instead of just one major.

7

From the NU website - “AND is in our DNA” http://admissions.northwestern.edu/
NU wants students that like and can excel in more than one field.

8

You can easily transfer to WCAS at NU. And while not a small school I think NU’s size is much more manageable 8000 vs 14000. To most knowledgeable folks the two schools are equal reputationally.

Also NU has outpaced Cornell in selectivity in recent years if that matters to you.