Cornell vs. Tufts

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I have 5 days to decide, maybe you guys can help me out!</p>

<p>Concerns:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I've heard the frats are essential for anyone who wants to party at Cornell. For those of you in frats, is self-destructive binge drinking a requirement (I've done the get-sick-from-drinking thing already)? Also, is hazing in good spirits, or brutal? Are frat brothers capable of holding intelligent conversation? Basically, are the frats typical doush-y (spelling to beat censor) stereotypes you see in movies?</p></li>
<li><p>Does it bother you to be in such a remote area?</p></li>
<li><p>Is anyone in the College Scholar program? - I want to create my own major to do a Cognitive Science program (no major yet, but plenty of classes</p></li>
</ol>

<p>If you have anything else to add about either school, I would greatly appreciate it!</p>

2

<p>On Fraternities</p>

<p>They are not essential for a social life. However, if you are open to looking, I think you’ll find that there the houses have different personalities and there is most likely one or more houses that meet your personality. There is initiation, but ‘hazing’ is impermissible. Over the last few years, the University has gone to great lengths to make rush/pledge a positive experience.</p>

<p>Remoteness</p>

<p>There are many many cultural activities on campus. I think you’ll find that if you go to Tufts, you won’t find yourself going into Boston as much as you think you will. Tufts also many cultural activities and social life there by and large revolves around campus too.</p>

<p>Fortunately, you have a choice between two excellent schools. Good luck with your decision.</p>

3

<p>My S joined a fraternity this spring. He said he felt that the pledging process was the way it should be for all 40 groups. I don’t know everything, but he said there was no hazing and forced drinking events. However, it did take a lot of time. I’m sure there’s hazing at some groups, but the university is doing all it can to reduce that. Not hard to find a group that doesn’t participate in that.</p>

4

<p>2 great schools with excellent reputations. Cornell probably rates slightly higher academically but there is much more to do in Boston. In the end, they are both 2 great schools!!!</p>

5

<p>70% of Cornell students are not in fraternities. And for those interested in fraternities, with 40 houses, there’s great diversity. I strongly believe Cornell’s setting - a beautiful campus in a wonderful college town - is a distinct competitive advantage.</p>

6

<ol>
<li>You definitely do not need to join a frat to have a good social life. There’s many house parties and other events. I’ll reiterate that nearly 3/4s of Cornell students are not in the Greek system. </li>
</ol>

<p>Those who are in frats come in all different forms. Some are the cliche stereotype, others are complete nerdish bookworms… if you’re into the arts, you could join Risley Hall which isn’t a frat but has its own unique culture.</p>

<ol>
<li>I think the remoteness is more an issue for grad school. I know a lot of alumni who are now immersed in big cities from Boston to DC, Chicago to LA, who look at their time on the Hill as a special period that they’ll probably never be able to have again at least until they retire. It’s a really nice city with a lot of culture and restaurants for its size, as well as natural beauty, lakes, wineries, and waterfalls. It’s more like living in a vacation destination remote than living in the middle of cornfields remote.</li>
</ol>

7

<p>I would echo what Applejack said. As a grad student, I’d rather live in Manhattan, Boston, Chicago, LA, etc. But, as a college student, it’s fun to live in a collegetown.</p>

8

<p>I’ll echo the above sentiments.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>You do not need frats to party; you need friends. Whether or not you end up in a frat most likely depends on your friends. Most of my friends weren’t in frats, so most of my partying was in C-town. However, it’d be hard to go through Cornell without making a good amount of friends in frats, so should you ever feel the urge to go to a bigger party in a frat house, that shouldn’t be a problem.</p></li>
<li><p>I was never bothered by the remoteness. Anyone who is bored at Cornell has no one to blame but themselves. </p></li>
<li><p>I didn’t do College Scholar, but had a few friends who did it. If you go in with a concrete plan for Cognitive Science, I think that would be looked favorably upon.</p></li>
</ol>

9

<p>The best choice here is Cornell – I think you should go to Cornell – Cognitive science is great there. Plus, remember, if you don’t want to be a part of the party/Greek life, you really DO NOT have to. College is what you make of it.</p>

<p>See? I’m not biased for Tufts, though it’s a great school ;)</p>

10

<p>Depends on who you are:</p>

<p>For social scene: Some frats are nerdy/lower tier so have very easy pledge process. Top frats (ones that mix with good sororities and have a lot of parties) have awful pledging. You will be drinking a lot if you’re in these top ones! </p>

<p>Theres not much to do at Cornell. As a freshmen the only good parties you will go to are probably frat parties and second semester there won’t be any. </p>

<p>although only a third of people are in greek life it does consist of most of the social scene if you are into drinking/partying. </p>

<p>if drinking/partying isn’t what you were thinking of for a social scene you will most likely end up finding a close group of friends and hanging out most weekends. What’s there to do? Watch movies at ithaca mall, bowling, problems sets/hw, community center outreach programs that are really lame at RPCC, ping pong, pool, eat out, go to dance concerts/ acapella concerts. this may sound like a lot, but honestly it gets old. </p>

<p>Also I’m an engineer so I spend most of my time doing work/research/academically related things. Not to say engineers can’t have social lives. I will say the higher the GPA you want the less social life you will have. </p>

<p>I visited Tufts and have friends that go there and they really like it. I don’t know how their party/ social scene is, but I know it seems very happy. Here at cornell it can be happy or depressing as ****. Depending on your major, goals, personality, etc…</p>

<p>If you’re premed, definitely go to tufts, they have an early assurance program. People will argue that cornell is better for premed, I’d explain my reasons but honestly it depends on the type of person you are. </p>

<p>Just make sure you don’t fall into the trap that I did. I chose cornell because of its reputation as an Ivy League school. It really does matter if you like the university you are at. In the winter it gets really annoying here. Happy days at cornell are days when the sun is out.</p>

11

<p>Cornell is in a different league than Tufts academically. I can’t believe someone is even asking this question. Maybe you should just go to Tufts if you can’t figure this one out.</p>

12

<p>^As someone who transferred from Cornell to Tufts, I’m curious about your basis for such a statement. From my experience, both are about equal academically, with Cornell giving off a more pre-professional vibe and Tufts a more intellectual one. It’s really about which environment you prefer. I decided I wanted a more intimate environment focused on undergraduate education.</p>

13

<p>I hope, you have first hand knowledge about what you are saying! Yes, Cornell could be a better choice for many reasons, though your statement “Cornell is in a different league than Tufts academically” shows your limited knowledge on the subject. Why don’y you check with your school GC?</p>

14

<p>Cornell is going to be more rigorous than Tufts for sure. Depends if you would prefer that near-excessive rigor at the intro level.</p>

15

<p>Unless you are really leaning towards Tufts for any specific reason, go with Cornell. There are legitimate concerns but Cornell easily trumps Tufts, ignore the trolls here.</p>