<p>You're probably sick and tired of these posts, but I need some advice. I'm torn between the two, and since tomorrow is decision day I have to make a decision pronto. But I don't want to make a rash decision and end up regretting it, haha. [Not that I haven't thought about it a lot; I've been doing practically nothing else these past few weeks.] =/</p>
<p>Okay, so I'd be going into Environmental Engineering through CALS at Cornell, and I'm undecided at USC [but I already called up Viterbi and asked them if it's still possible for me to take intro eng. courses and they said it's definitely doable.]</p>
<p>I'm worried that Cornell will be too difficult and my GPA won't be as high as it could be a USC. Furthermore, I feel like I'd have more options and flexibility at USC. This may seem like I already prefer USC, but that's not the case. I really like Cornell and am just a little apprehensive about my overall performance there in the future.</p>
<p>So this also ties in with my next question: how important is one's GPA when applying to grad school? Additionally, does graduating from an Ivy League school with just an okay or satisfactory GPA compensate for it at all?</p>
<p>Thanks for any input. I realize I have to make my decision by tomorrow, hahahaha.</p>
<p>I chose Cornell over USC (with a presidential scholarship). I loved the diversity of Cornell’s schools, and felt that Cornell’s alumni network was stronger everywhere outside of southern California. As far as GPA goes, you could most likely succeed at either school.</p>
<p>Phew, thanks so much for replying and easing my fears! I’m going to talk with my parents again, but I’ll probably be sending my deposit in for Cornell tomorrow. :)</p>
<p>Additionally, my high school grades on the quarter system, and I was wondering if Cornell will look at a copy of my 3rd Quarter grades now or just my final transcript when I graduate? My AP Spanish teacher passed back one of our tests and entered the wrong score into the computer, so my grade is lower than it should be.</p>
<p>Thought I’d give my 2 cents. I also ended up choosing Cornell over USC (also with presidential). And yes, for grad schools like med or law, GPA is very very important, but I did a lot of research into this and the ivy league does carry its own cachet, especially if you don’t do well GPA-wise. And I spoke with people in research/job sectors, who said that they would employ someone with a 3.5 at Cornell over a 4.0 at a lesser school any day. </p>
<p>That being said, you’d have an easier (and probably more fun) time at USC, while probably getting better grades. Going to USC would probably also help if you want to go to grad school in the west coast, while Cornell will definitely help with east coast. Additionally, I’ve had to deal with the administrations at both Cornell and USC, and it’s very obvious that USC is much more student-care centered. </p>
<p>And if money is an issue (USC has a better financial aid program than Cornell, especially for top students), then go with USC. I considered that in my decision too, but I decided that Cornell’s reputation won over USC’s very many other perks.</p>
<p>bluereedz, USC’s financial aid is not better than cornell’s. The difference is that Cornell only gives need based financial aid, but that aid is excellent (I know many who pay practically nothing). Just because they don’t use merit aid to try to lure kids to come, and instead give it to people who actually need it to be able to attend at all (relatively poor) does not make their aid worse. I know many who pay practically nothing to come here.</p>
<p>Here’s a tip: Cornell isn’t grade deflated, it’s actually grade inflated. The average GPA here is actually pretty high. However, we have some very vocal people, leading everyone to think Cornell is grade deflated. Let it keep this reputation, it makes a Cornell degree seem more legit to employers.</p>
<p>Grade inflation varies by school. Engineering has the least, and CALS the most. As for graduate school, your faculty recommendation carries a lot of weight, but its still second to your GPA.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that most engineering graduate schools–with the possible exceptions of MIT and Stanford–are struggling to enroll American students, particularly women and URMs. That’s why a huge number of engineering grad students are foreign nationals (probably about half). So it’s actually fairly easy to get into a Cornell or UCLA for engineering graduate school if you’re an American and have decent grades.</p>
<p>I was referring more to merit aid on usc’s part. My fault for being ambiguous. USC does try to lure smarter kids in, I got a huge amount for being presidential (half-tuition), and on top of that they gave me additional money for national merit finalist and a university scholarship grant.</p>
Maybe I’ll see you this fall? Haha, and good look making your final decision!</p>