Cornell vs. UNC vs. Rutgers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>There are only a few days left and I'm still deciding. Anyone have an opinion?</p>

<p>Rutgers - <em>FREE</em> since I got a full ride scholarship, which is actually the only reason I'm even considering it. Only a half hour from home, my whole family went there and most of the graduates from my HS go there too, so it's really familiar and comfortable. PROS: Money, familiarity. CONS: too close to home, not as good a school, new brunswick sucks</p>

<p>UNC-CH - A much better school, plus I was invited into the Honors program which is actually really prestigious and has some real perks (much better compared to Rutgers' Honors, which takes pretty much everyone with certain objective stats)... they also offered me a free laptop up to 1,500 bucks. I haven't visited (I know, bad idea) but I might this weekend. PROS: Better academics, more prestigious, great college town and classmates, relatively cheap CONS: I haven't gotten my finaid yet, which sucks. Also have ZERO interest in athletics, which makes up a large part of their social life. </p>

<p>Cornell - Probably the one I like the least. The only thing it has going for it is its relative prestige and good academic rep, though I think UNC is the same, if not better in these aspects. PROS: Ivy rep CONS: Sucky, depressing, isolated location, partying social vibe, overwhelming richness and whiteness of student body, expensive (I would exhaust all my savings and go over 60,000 in debt)</p>

<p>AGAIN, I know sooo little about the latter two schools, which is why I'm posting this. If I'm dreadfully wrong about something, flame away. Also, comments like "omgggg UNC is like the best school evar hehehehe" from current UNC students are unhelpful and counterproductive. If I had to name my most important factors, they are money and whether or not I will find my social niche there (students like me and a student body who is interesting, diverse, intelligent, and open). Things like prestige and academic rigor are important as well, though secondary, because I plan to pursue advanced degrees after my undergrad and will probably try to transfer. Weather wise, I'm more fond of warmth and find winter a horrible black vaccum of suckage and despair. </p>

<p>I plan to study History, though I am not closed to pursuing overlapping fields like anthro, classics etc.</p>

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<p>I don’t know about UNC-CH, but either you’re a ■■■■■ or just don’t know anything about Cornell. It has a lot more pros than Ivy rep. And the cons you mention are ALL wrong. If you can agree that New Brunswick sucks, then you (and almost anyone) would agree that Cornell is in a great location. It is anything but depressing. There is a partying vibe (at least some days of the week) but it’s probably like any school: you can join in if you want, and if you don’t there are plenty of people who don’t. Richness and whiteness - tons of people are on financial aid, and there is no hint of “richness,” and even though Cornell is pretty diverse, I wonder why you would have a problem with whiteness even if it were true.</p>

<p>Can’t disagree with expensive. But it’s worth it.</p>

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<p>^ ok. You’re right that I know nothing about Cornell. I have heard other people who said the same things you did about Ithaca and how its a “great location…” To clarify what I meant, I criticized Cornell’s location because it seems so isolated and the weather is so dismal. As someone who pretty much stops functioning during the winter, I don’t know whether I could handle that. Also: I’m not sure about the isolation, since, again, I’ve never been there. But when I was trying to arrange to visit, I noticed that the nearest bus stop was 80 miles away? I’m probably wrong, but can you comment on the relative isolation and such?</p>

<p>You say that there’s a lot to do besides partying. I’m someone who won’t drink/smoke/do drugs and is relatively shy and nerdy. What kind of activities are available to the awkward nerds of Cornell? I’m concerned about this because I had two very good friends who went on to Cornell last year and absolutely abhorred it. They rejoiced whenever they could return to NJ, which is saying something cause this place sucks. And its not like they were wierd people - I would imagine that people like them who are intelligent, caring, funny and interesting would have no problem finding a social niche, but apparently they couldn’t, and they found the campus and student body to be…unsavory.</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>The reputation of UNC-CH is not at all on the same level as Cornell. Domestically and internationally, Cornell is viewed as a much more prestigious university.</p></li>
<li><p>The location of Cornell isn’t great - Ithaca is pretty boring and the weather is rough. Very long winter…but it’s warm now and it was worth the wait. While others are melting in 90+ weather it’s in the 75-80 range here (today anyway) with a nice breeze…it works. Besides that, the campus is beautiful right now (the campus is covered in hundreds of cherry blossoms, which are all blooming right now).</p></li>
<li><p>What’s wrong with “richness” and “whiteness”? If you’re not white, don’t worry, we’re not racists. If you are white, I just wonder if you say it’s “too white” so you can make yourself feel morally superior for being so concerned for minorities? It’s very much in vogue right now for upper middle class white people to act indignant at anything that could in anyway be considered racist. I could see why you might want to publicly snub any school that isn’t AT LEAST 50% minority to improve your social status among fellow white people.</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>^ lol no, I’m a middle-class South Asian American.</p>

<p>it’s not that I don’t like white people… I just find it comforting to know that a there is a large Indian population or general Asian population at a school. And when the combined populations of black, hispanic, asian, etc. make up a large population of the school, I think it makes a big difference in the social dynamic. I went to school both in urban California and then in suburban NJ, so I’ve seen the different pretty clearly.</p>

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<p>Cornell is a very diverse place. You can check the data on the Cornell admissions website.</p>

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<p>Nritya, you seemed to have such a strong feelings about Cornell. That is alright. But why did you apply?</p>

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<p>In my opinion the OP has some unpromising negative preconceptions about Cornell – flawed assumptions – that might cause an unfortunate self-fulfilling prophecy. Even though it is my view that her other choices are undoubtedly lesser options, I still recommend that she chooses either UNC or Rutgers, since they are both cheaper, and in her mind a better fit. Going to a great university, while not realizing that it is in fact a great university may leave a student prone to problems of their own making.</p>

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<p>^ahhh I don’t mean to give off the impression that I hate Cornell. There was a reason I submitted an application in the first place. I know Cornell has its merits, but I think that since I have three schools to pick from, I have to explore all of the possible flaws each may have so I can just finally pick one and not feel like any regret later on. In the end, if I pick Cornell, I want to do so knowing that I weighed the options as best as I could, and that I could be happy there regardless of the inevitable negatives of the school.</p>

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<p>^
You stated in your original post that Cornell was, “Probably the one I like the least.” Then, in my opinion don’t go. Even though I think it is an unfortunate, unnecessary, and flawed conclusion – that is what you’ve come to think. You also said “The only thing it has going for it is its relative prestige and good academic rep, though I think UNC is the same, if not better in these aspects.” While Cornell has much, much more going for it than “relative prestige and good academic rep,” this seems to be what you’ve come to believe. So, maybe UNC is a better fit for you. The school that was good enough for Ratan Tata may not be your cup of tea.</p>

<p>Also, you call Cornell “depressing.” I happen to know quite a few folks who are either going to Cornell now, or who are alums. None of them would ever describe the school this way. So, if you really believe what you’ve stated, then please go to another school, and leave Cornell to the vast majority of students who more than appreciate the wonderful university.</p>

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<p>Not sure where you are in NJ, but you said in trying to plan a trip, the closest bus stop was 80 miles from Ithaca?? The Shortline bus stops three (?) places ON CAMPUS. It also stops in Bergen County (Paramus/Ridgewood) enroute to the Port Authority in NYC. There is also a Campus to Campus bus, very posh, that goes from the campus to the Cornell Club in midtown Manhattan. Wifi, nice seats, etc. </p>

<p>Lots of diversity on campus–31% as self reported by students. Largest sub group is Asian.</p>