Cornell vs UChicago vs Georgia Tech for CS

College Search & Selection
1

I’ve been accepted to all 3 schools recently (Cornell was a likely letter) for CS. I’m having a very hard time choosing and would like some help.

I’m an in state Georgia student, but since Cornell and UChicago provides pretty good aid for my family’s income, I don’t think finance would differ much between the 3 of these schools.

As for myself, I was the type to get by in highschool-- barely scraping by As. I don’t like to study constantly, but I also think it’s effected by the area that I’m interested in. (And I need lots of study buddies or else I start watching Youtube). I’m a very laid back person and am not considering grad school at the moment. I want to go straight into corporate.

The thing is, based on weather, location, I genuinely do not care. I’ve lived in rural, urban, suburbs landscapes, in super cold areas and hot (Georgia) weather. I’m easily adaptable to the weather. I love the rural landscape (I’m definitely a nature person) but since I also lived in Atlanta for a long time, I’m also perfectly comfortable with the city. It’s busy and there’s always something to do and I love it. I love to explore.

I love having a strong, tightknit support group as well as be there for the group. I really want collaboration and a pretty social school, but not in terms of drinking/partying. But I think this can apply anywhere despite the school’s “stereotype” since it depends on how I approach it.

I just don’t know how to choose. The only thing I can think of is opportunities: hackathons, competitions, a non-cutthroat environment, more “chill”. I definitely want more club time than study time-- I think that’s where I learn the most. It seems like Uchicago would be an immediate turnoff-- it was, but 1) namebrand (sorry) and 2) I think I might like the quarter system? Dunno for sure though.

Anyway, any suggestions? I am going to visit the campus for all of them… but honestly, after visit a lot of campuses I feel like they are all pretty and I like all of them. I don’t really bank on it a campus visit changing much. Unless you have suggestions on getting a better campus tour!

2

In CS, the GTech name brand is far better than the UChicago name brand. Cornell and GTech are about equivalent when it comes to CS, so I would choose between those two. Of course, Cornell is very rural and get pretty cold in the winter. My impression is that Cornell is the more chill of the two, though any top CS school is going to be competitive.

Check out their websites, and the websites of the CS clubs and organizations, and see what types of activities and events there are in each. Also check the specializations of each, and the internship opportunities provided by each. Truth is, though, that you cannot go wrong with either.

3

Do you have any other options besides UChicago, Cornell, or GT?
I’d be concerned that none of the 3 provide the “chill” atmosphere you seem to want.

All 3 have strong enough name brands, and IMO the quarter system really doesn’t deserve to be a strong factor one way or another. Take UChicago off the table simply because it was an “immediate turnoff”.

If you have no other alternatives, I’d be inclined to recommend Cornell. It probably would expose you to more diverse student interests and personality types than a tech school. Depends on what you want, though.

4

Cornell CS is not “chill”.

5

I also had the same reaction.

I am glad you will visit each school OP…you can glean a lot from a campus visit, also make sure to sit in on a class of interest at each. Talk to students and your tour guide, ask them questions that will shed light on the concerns you mentioned in your post. Good luck.

6

I think in general, no school can be “chill”… I’m just explaining my personality I guess? Like I don’t get stressed easily, I just like people in general so I want a collaborative environment :smiley:

7

@tk21769 Thank you! I think it’s quite hard to find a “chill” atmosphere at any prestigious CS school. I don’t really think I’ll get in anywhere else, so I’m just thinking about these 3. I like being well rounded, enough, so I think I’m inclined to agree with you about Cornell. My only concern is the grade inflation aspect of it. And I’ve heard it was “the easiest Ivy to get into, hardest to graduate from”

8

Go to Cornell but know you need to put in the study hours. You’d have to do that with any of them, as CS is a hard major and your peers will be working hard. Just don’t think you can do the high school minimum for a A (you can’t) and you’ll be fine.