Cornell vs. UPenn vs. UVA

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>The college admissions game is finally over for me. I've narrowed the list to three schools: Cornell Engineering, Penn SEAS, and UVA SEAS w/ Rodman Scholar.</p>

<p>Obviously, Cornell has one of the best engineering schools in the nation, far better than Penn's and UVA's. But what exactly does this mean? How do Cornell engineers do in grad school admission compare to Penn's and UVA's? How does Cornell look to employers compared to the other two? </p>

<p>UVA's Rodman program does offer some unique opportunities in some exclusive classes and class selection priority. I definately feel that it is easier to stand out in UVA than at Cornell's engineering. How does Cornell engineering's competitiveness affect career/grad school opportunities? Is it better to be a mediocre graduate of Cornell engineering, or a top graduate of UVA's?</p>

<p>I don't consider myself to be a hardcore engineer, so I do like a well rounded university, possibly even with a double major in another field, or maybe a complete switch out from engineering. With this in mind, how do Cornell, Penn, and UVA compared to one another in terms of a well-rounded education? </p>

<p>Thanks for your input. I appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
How do Cornell engineers do in grad school admission compare to Penn's and UVA's?

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Cornell is so tough, and well regarded by grad schools that a 3.8+ at UVa would probably be comparable to a 3.2 or 3.3 from Cornell. Therefore if you do well at Cornell you can get into a wide range of competitive grad schools</p>

<p>
[quote]
How does Cornell look to employers compared to the other two?

[/quote]

Excellent, UVa might be better for government jobs since it is located in virginia (even if it is in the south), but that is about it, you will look much better at Cornell, even if you are Rodman at UVa</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is it better to be a mediocre graduate of Cornell engineering, or a top graduate of UVA's?

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If you are saying less than 50% rank in the class, the bottom 50 at cornelll, compared to the top 5% at UVa, then I think the answer is clear, it is better to be at UVa if you think you will do that poorly at Cornell</p>

<p>
[quote]
I don't consider myself to be a hardcore engineer, so I do like a well rounded university, possibly even with a double major in another field, or maybe a complete switch out from engineering. With this in mind, how do Cornell, Penn, and UVA compared to one another in terms of a well-rounded education?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>If you are not a hardcore engineer than don't go to Cornell. You have to really like engineering to do well. They have an amazing engineering program. Double Major at Cornell is probably out of the question, unless you are unbelievable, especially considering you are Engineering, and since you said you aren't hardcore, forget about that at Cornell, at UVa, you should be able to pull it off, and pull it off much much easier than at Cornell. Well rounded education can be found at any of these three fine institutions.</p>

<p>If I had to choose for myself in this situation:
1.) Cornell
2.) UVa - Rodmans
3.) Penn - their engineering isn't good at all</p>

<p>If I had to say for you
1.) UVa - Rodmans
2.) Cornell
3.) Penn</p>

<p>I switched teh UVa and Cornell from myself to you, b/c of the engineering factor, maybe even for you Cornell should be 3rd, as I said if you are not hardcore about engineering, don't go to Cornell.</p>

<p>I hope that helps</p>

3

<p>Thanks! I think this probably a dillema faced many UVA SEAS acceptees. For those who got into SEAS, how does UVA rank on your list?</p>

<p>I definately agree with you that only hardcore engineers should go to Cornell Engineering. In fact, the main reason why Cornell is in consideration for me is whether or not I should concentrate in Engineering. During the applications process, it was very clear to me that Engineering was the way to go, but since then this interest has drifted off quite a bit, even the majors I originally intended. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Cornell is so tough, and well regarded by grad schools that a 3.8+ at UVa would probably be comparable to a 3.2 or 3.3 from Cornell. Therefore if you do well at Cornell you can get into a wide range of competitive grad schools

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I've also heard alot about this and was wondering if there is actually any strong evidence to back this up, and most importantly, what is the true extent of compensation. </p>

<p>I also noticed that you ranked Penn lower than UVa. Would you say this only after considering the Rodman scholar? Or should I take it that the money required to pay for Penn's tuition is not worth it, since Penn is a more highly regarded school, and has a somewhat better Engineering program than UVA, ranked a bit higher for undergrad and grad.</p>

4

<p>I put penn lower, b/c i think the engineering strength of both schools is about equal, so if you were to do equally well at both, a 3.5 for example at uva with rodman's would look better than a regular 3.5 at penn, however you do get the ivy league status for penn, so it is tough, like you, i live in virginia, so i guess i have an extra affinity to uva over penn and maybe that is why i put it higher than penn, and also factor in the tuition, same engineering at penn and uva, but uva is 1/3 the cost, and you get special treatment for being rodmans at uva</p>

<p>it is a tough decision, but a decision you are lucky to have, good luck</p>