I am really starting to panic about making a decision between uva and cornell. I am interested in studying business. at uva, i would have to apply to the business school during my second year. I am concerned that i will not get into the comm school at uva and will be forced to major in something else, but it is one of the best business schools in the country, and i feel dumb to turn down the possibility of studying there. At cornell, I am in the hotel school. I am worried about the overall academic pressures there are, but also dont want to turn down an ivy for that reason. I really want to enjoy college, and do not want to being studying all the time. I am really looking for the traditional college experience. Any advice is appreciated!!!
The hotel school at Cornell is an incredible program for hospitality/tourism management if that is what you are looking to go into. The way I see it is that you have a spot at one of Cornell’s best programs, while at UVA it would be a gamble as you apply end of freshman year. As for academic pressures, they are both elite universities so it will be competitive no matter what. They are both exceptional universities, so there isn’t any wrong decision but I would go Cornell.
Everyone works hard at Cornell. At least to an extent.
But, IMO, the reputation, such as it is, stems (no pun intended) mainly from STEM-related majors there.Which may or may not be tougher than at other comparable schools, personally I think not.
There are just relatively a lot of STEM-related majors at Cornell.
Granted I attended a million years ago, but then, anyway, hotelies were not known to be the ones suffering and swamped with academics. Though they no doubt did their fare share.
Hotelies, by reputation then, were the “normal” people who had exceptional social skills and were more likely to be out and about having a good time. Which is not to imply they didn’t work hard as well.
I suggest look carefully at the program of studies: major and in-college requirements- that you would have to fulfill as a hotel administration major. If you are very happy undertaking that curriculum I don’t think you should be scared away from attending Cornell due to academic concerns. Not in that major.
Which is not to say you should necessarily prefer it to your UVa opportunity, that’s for you to evaluate and decide.
I believe you will have a bit more catchet with employers with a Cornell degree than UVA. Academics, sophisticated recruiters and grads schools are a bit more savvy. And UVA is right there too.
Personally it is not my experience that you need to go to Cornell to break into the hotel industry management path. And UVA will definitely be bit more laid back, southern charms and better sports/social scene.
So it really comes down to the direct admit vs making it into your major at UVA. How much do you value your school brand in life (and having it mean a lot does not indicate elitism or shallowness in any way.) and how much the non classroom experience means to you. Answer those honestly and your answer will reveal itself to you.
So, @gracie177, what did you decide?