Cornell vs USC vs Princeton, never been to Cornell or Princeton

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Hey,
Ive been reading CC compulsivley for the last almost 6 months now leading up to app deadlines and now I actually need to ask my own question. I live in Australia and applied to a lot of colleges in the US and just got all the decisions in the last few days. Now for me my choice is between USC, Princeton and Cornell. At USC I got offered the trustee scholarship, and at Princeton I got offerred around the same amount in financial aid as they give aid to international (I'm expecting Cornell to be about the same with financial aid). Im planning on majoring in Architecture.</p>

<p>Last year I did the summer arch program at USC and loved it so Im kind of biased towards a place I know and already love haha trojan spirit is infectious!</p>

<p>To me the pros for each are:
USC: In cali, really strong alumni, I can see myself working in cali after college and I know the place and loved it</p>

<p>Princeton: best rated undergrad from what i can read, world class and an Ivy, eating clubs sound like they would be awesome</p>

<p>Cornell: best rated arch program, also an Ivy and very well known</p>

<p>My question to all you knowledgeable people on CC is where do you think I should go?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>
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Im planning on majoring in Architecture

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<p>Cornell's architecture program at undergrad is ranked #1 in the country. That's right, number one. If architecture is your true academic/career goal, then I would comfortably recommend Cornell. Plus, imo, Cornell's campus is really gorgeous. Only U.S. college campus that I liked more than Cornell's is Stanford's campus. (and I have visited tons of schools.) Besides, does Princeton even have an architecture program? GL.</p>

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<p>i agree. if architecture is what you want to do, then cornell would make the most sense. you can also always live in socal after college. it doesn't matter where you go to college.</p>

<p>and the eating clubs are usually what scares people away from Princeton. i'm just curious, what did you hear about them that makes you think they're awesome?</p>

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<p>Well back then, I applied E.D. to Princeton, got a GT to Cornell, and am currently a USC student; what a complete coincidence!</p>

<p>I know this is the Cornell thread, but honestly, out of those three choices I'd pick Princeton. All your points are correct; I know it sounds strange, but I've always had a soft spot/amiration for Princeton (a true "dream school"); Princeton is a VERY good school, and if you have the opportunity to attend there, I would strongly consider taking it. It's just funny how architecture happens to have one of the ugliest buildings on campus.</p>

<p>As for USC, again, your points are correct. The "Trojan Family" is NOT to be underestimated, and if you already plan to live in Southern California afterwards, I guarantee you will not have any trouble finding a high-paying job from a Trojan after graduating. At the risk of sounding like a USC advertisement, the school is desperately (and extremely successfully) shedding it's "University of Spoiled Children", and the USC of today is far different from the USC of even five years ago. Just be aware: I happen to have many friends in USC Architecture, and it is VERY demanding. Granted, USC's surrounding location is far different from Princeton, N.J. or Ithaca (I'm sure "donjuan" will mention that), but as you mentioned, the community is perhaps one of the tighest and strongest in the world; glad you had a great time at USC, congrats about the trustee, and Fight On!</p>

<p>At the same time, we're here to talk about Cornell too. As a Fall '08 GT, I can't really say much about Cornell... yet. Other than that I have heard many many impressive things about Cornell Architecture, and school as a whole is very respected. Even though I've had a great time at USC so far, if my GT turns out successful (I find out within a few weeks), I definitely plan to exercise my GT option to Cornell. </p>

<p>You've essentially got three schools that are very different, each with their own unique characteristics and attributes. Of course, I feel partial to both USC and Cornell, but in this instance, I'd have to pick Princeton. Even if this sounds terrible, your opportunity (especially since you mention some sort of a scholarhsip) is just too good and valuable to pass up. IMO, Princeton is Princeton, there is no denying that. Then again, if you want to live in (Southern) CA afterwards, USC will be shoe-in for any job... </p>

<p>Regardless, you're in a great shape! Congrats on getting into three very fine and impressive insitutions, and keep us posted! (BTW: if you've got more USC questions on the side, feel free to shoot some more). Though I strongly suggest you tour the Princeton and Cornell campuses for yourself, and then make your own decision. Seeing is believing.</p>

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<p>yes, princeton is a good school, but it really isnt for architecture. if you want to go to an ivy league, turning down CORNELL ARCHITECTURE would be a really big mistake, especially if you are giving it up for princeton. with princeton, you only graduate with a 4 year degree...which doesnt really give you anything to work with. you HAVE to go on to get your MArch I. both cornell and usc have 5 year programs, and after talking to architects, they say that having that 5 year degree is more desired by architecture firms. being at cornell, im kinda biased to say that you should go here. it is absolutely amazing here.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for all your advice. From reading it though I still have mixed feelings. Princeton is indeed princeton, and cornell still has the best arch, but USC still has the strong appeal of me having been there. Unfortunatey dielhdun, I cant visit princeton or cornell before I have to make my decision because I cant fly to the US until classes begin (the trip is pretty expensive). I know the arch course at USC is tough, the summer program ran classes from 9am to 9pm monday to friday but i think im ready for that. Princeton and to a lesser extent cornell (because I still havnt heard if im off the waiting list for financial aid and thats now a big factor) are both unknowns to me in terms of campus, atmosphere, surrounding areas and so on. Basically im going off reputations, ivy league status and as many web realted info sources as I can find....the decisions!!!</p>

<p>Dielhdun, if you dont miond me asking, why are transfering to cornell? our positions are weirdly similar lol</p>

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<p>All three schools are great. Keep in mind, if this is important to you, that travel from Austrailia to USC will be the cheapest. Ithaca is expensive to fly to. USC has the nicest weather. I hear winters are cold in Ithaca.</p>

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<p>Princeton doesn't belong in your list, at least not for architecture. </p>

<p>I know Cornell is #1, but I don't know how USC arch is viewed. It seems you're comfortable with USC, and scared of the unknown - Cornell. If USC architecture is decent, go with where you'll be happy. Going to Princeton would make absolutely no sense.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>post some dragon days stuff for the kid...that should sway him!!</p>

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<p>YouTube</a> - Dragon Day 2008</p>

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<p>Although Cornell University is the best of the three schools for architecture, if you like USC, you won't like Ithaca. Princeton is the best university, but not for architecture. If you were undecided as to a major course of study, then Princeton would be the clear & easy choice.</p>

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<p>razor165, I'I was given a GT. Hence, I attended my second-choice school, USC. Although I've greatly enjoyed my time whilst at USC, I still plan to exercise my GT right.</p>

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<p>Princeton architecture is fine. And, if you think there is a slight chance that you will ever change your major, (most people do), just about all of Princeton's department's are world-renowned. Princeton's location is also much better (an hour from both New York and Philadelphia). I want you to come - I know a few Aussies on campus, and they are all great people!</p>

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<p>Cornell</a> Chronicle: Dragon Day 2008</p>

<p>if you are going to turn down cornell, youre going to be turning down the over 100 year long tradition of dragon day. you wont find this anywhere else on any other campus. dragon day is such an amazing experience for first year architects because you get to showcase your design skills to the entire architecture school and the ENTIRE campus, where literally thousands of students skip class and local people come to go watch. best week of your life</p>

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<p>Don't trust any allegation that one school's location is better than another. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. </p>

<p>Personally, I wouldn't want to spend four years off of the Jersey Turnpike, surrounded by a town that caters not to students, but extremely wealthy individuals. Last time I checked, there aren't many opportunities to go gorge jumping, work on an organic farm, or go skiing or snowshoeing minutes away from Princeton's campus. But that's just me.</p>

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<p>
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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<p>definitely! cornell's green/forest-esque (?) "beauty" could translate into isolation for another person!</p>

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<p>One more thing i found that I found to be rather funny:

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the school is desperately (and extremely successfully) shedding it's "University of Spoiled Children", and the USC of today is far different from the USC of even five years ago.

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<p>Im laughing at the "extremely successful" part because USC is still known for a party school. To give the school credit, though, they have been cracking down on the party scene lately.</p>

<p><a href="I'm%20sure%20%22donjuan%22%20will%20mention%20that">quote</a>

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<p>I didnt notice this until now! I am flattered by the shout-out :)</p>

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the community is perhaps one of the tighest and strongest in the world

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<p>woah...thats a bit of a stretch! First of all, USC students do not really care for one another since they dont even know each other, due to the bigness of the school (15,000 students). Second of all, there are probably better "communities" out there like the ones from Amherst college or something. Lastly, USC's own people (rich conceited kids) prevent it from being a "strong community," since none of the poor kids want to associate with them.</p>

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<p>Again, I don't really understand what grudge donjuan78 has against USC. Yes, USC still has a "vibrant" social scene, but I'd hardly say that the USC of 2008 is the same as the USC of 1998. You'd have to be an incredibly ignorant to deny that. The school is only going up, not down. </p>

<p>No matter how much we argue, I will continue to attest that indeed, the Trojan Family is quite possibly one of the strongest in existence. But clearly, there's no point in further flogging the dead horse, because you're going to continue arguing the opposite of what I'm going to say. That's not to say that graduating from Cornell will be any less impressive or prestigious, certainly not; if anything probably a lot more. Otherwise, why would I bother exercising my GT to Cornell in the first place? </p>

<p>Donjuan78, somehow you yet again demonstrate sheer unbelievable ignorance by assuming USC's "own people" are all "rich conceited kids"; this is coming from the same person who about 3-4 months ago said that USC had significantly low rates of minority students in undergraduate admissions when compared to Cornell (but for some reason, Donjuan78, after I backed up my facts and compared them to yours, I never did get a response from you). If you choose to go along this route citing USC demographics, I'll have to dig up the old post and paste it in here.</p>

<p>The school is large, yes, but the community is tight. But I'd guess it'd be difficult for someone like you to judge that, when I've been there myself, no? It doesn't matter rich vs. poor, that's an irrelevant attempt to dig at USC.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong, I know I'm going to love Cornell. But I absolutely can't stand it when people such as Donjuan78 blindly (and repeatedly) criticize the same things over and over again like a broken record without backing it up (and no, driving/walking around campus for a few hours or simply living in LA before does not count), especially when they argue as if USC today is like the "old" USC of the past. Absolutely inexcusable.</p>

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<p>Dielhdun is the type of person who blindly supports a school due to their allegiance with the school.</p>

<p>I bring the hard truth, which may be hard to swallow. </p>

<p>Yes, its true USC has a large percentage of minorities than Cornell, but you have to consider the type of applicants these schools get. USC is in the LA area, so obviously, a lot more minorities are going to apply to it than Cornell. USC is known in the poor schools around the area like inglewood high, morningside, hawthorne high, etc, because USC goes and recruits these students. Cornell is known for being ivy, which tends to scare off minority applicants because they fear "rich white kids" and the fact that they probably cant afford it or get in. Cornell also never goes to the ghetto to recruit applicants. When i knew that cornell was in the LA area, i had to drive all the way to Palos Verdes (rich white area) to go see them. Once the minorities arrive at USC, they realize that they are oppressed by these "rich white kids." I am still holding on to this idea since i have spoken to black kids that go to USC.</p>

<p>I think the only ignorance here is the fact that you fail to consider the demographics these schools target and what happens to them once they enter the school--they segregate.</p>

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<p>Although I'm not attending Princeton, I do live in the town, and have also visited Cornell. I'm not going to touch on academic/social life at either school, since I have no real experience, but in terms of the "niceness" of campus, both are great. Princeton does have a gorgeous campus that does sit right next to a college town. Although the town of Princeton is extremely wealthy, I wouldn't say that it doesn't cater to the Princeton University crowd. Both the campus and the town are beautiful, and I'm sure you'd love it there.</p>

<p>That said, especially as an architecture major, I think Cornell is the place to be. Cornell was absolutely beautiful when I visited it, and I'll be attending through GT.</p>