Sooo I recently just got accepted into all the above schools… At Cornell I got into Human Ecology, and the rest I got into the College of Arts and Sciences (for Biology). I’m from New York, so I’ll get around 20k off per year at Cornell, and I’d have to pay out of state for UVA.
To be honest, this is mostly between Cornell and UVA, though I still really love Bucknell and Lehigh. According to all the rankings, Cornell is the best choice. However, I’m really conflicted. When I first visited UVA, I really really loved it. However I also liked Cornell (just not quite as much as UVA) So Idk what to do. It would make complete sense to go to Cornell bc it’s cheaper, closer, and a better school. However I’m conflicted bc i just feel a draw towards UVA. I value my academics for sure, but I really want to have a good time in college and from what I’ve heard (feel free to change my mind!!) Cornell just doesn’t offer that to the extent UVA does.
If anyone has any insight on any of these schools I’d gladly listen to what you have to say!!!
I definitely value my social life (and ovb my academic life) but I really want to have a fun time in college.
Sorry meant to cut that last repitious paragaraph out
I don’t have first hand experience, but my niece is a Cornell graduate (within the last 10 years, so not super recent, but not old like me!). While she’s definitely not a party girl, she had a great time at Cornell and still returns to visit and attends alumni events in various areas (she’s lived in a few different areas of the US since graduating).
Ivies can party like the rest of them (some maybe more!). Cornell also is in a beautiful area with lots of hiking and outdoor opportunities.
UVA is also a great school. Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong. Have you had the money talk with your parents?
Good luck!
If finances are really not an issue, go with your heart. You can’t make a bad choice here. However, you should let your parents know that you are willing to go with the less expensive alternative and that they should be honest with you. Its the right thing to do and trust me, they will really respect you for it.
Also, do you need to save money for graduate school?
Congrats on your wonderful choices!
Thank you! My parents have saved away sufficient funds for either school (which I am very thankful for of course), so money isn’t a deciding factor ‘per se’ but I’d feel very stupid to not even consider that angle. Neither school is cheap enough so that I can go to grad school debt free, but if I go to UVA I’d have notably more debt than if I go to Cornell.
At this point I assume I’ll go on and study something, wether that be law school, business school, etc. However the thing is I’m not necessarily planning on going to grad school. I am definitely very open to the idea, but I just don’t really want to make the decision of where I go undergrad based off of something I might not even do. Also, theres the valid chance that I can go to grad school with big scholarships - I know someone who went to Colgate and got a full ride to Villanova Law School.
@haileywilliamss
If you are not sure whether you want to go to graduate school, you want to consider what you are going to major in very carefully. I would investigate it now. It could impact your choice of school.
Understand the type of work grads with various degrees actually do. Understand placement rates and salaries for various majors.
Cornell tuition is about $53,000 -$20,000 NY resident discount for your school = $33,000 plus $14,500 room & board =
$47,500 per year. With annual increases, Cornell tuition, room & board for four years will run about $200,000.
University of Virginia non-resident $47,000 plus $11,300 room & board = $58,300 per year times four = $233, 200 plus books, incidentals & travel.
Lehigh University : $64, 000 x 4 years = $256,000
Bucknell University : $67,200 x 4 years = $268,800.