<p>You're all probably sick of these by now, but I appreciate the help.
I'm having a hard time deciding between Cornell and UVa. I just got my letters today, so I know time might help, but I'd love it if you all would put your 2 cents in!</p>
<p>I can't deny the overall merit that being an Ivy League school gives Cornell. I haven't recieved any financial aid packages yet, but I am willing to bet they will offer me a better package, although I'm not sure by how much. Plus, my parents really want me to go to Cornell. I'm a first-generation college student and going to an Ivy would be sort of exciting for them (and me too).
HOWEVER, I have heard some scary things about Cornell. Mainly that academic competition is seriously cutthroat, with essay stealing and sabotage abound. I want to be able to enjoy myself and learn for the sake of learning, not to beat out someone else. Right now I'm in the middle of a very close race between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd spots in my class, so I know how unpleasant learning for a spot can be.
Also, my cousin got into UVa last year (though she didn't end up going) and, based on a visit, said I would fit in very well at UVa. I haven't visited myself yet but plan to. I'm not in Echols or anything special, but then neither am I at Cornell.
I saw on another post someone said the UVa was good for college experience, and Cornell was good for life experience. Is this accurate?</p>
<p>"I saw on another post someone said the UVa was good for college experience, and Cornell was good for life experience. Is this accurate?"</p>
<p>i don't really know what thats supposed to mean. if your asking do i think UVa has a better college life than Cornell, then the answer is yes. if you're asking will you be better off in life going to cornell vs UVa the answer is no.</p>
<p>i chose uva over cornell. academically, all things considered, unless you want to go to hotel school or an extremely highly ranked e-school, UVa and Cornell are extremely similar. I think UVa has a better quality of life, and as long as you do well you'll have great job placement. of course, if you want an ivy league degree, you should choose cornell.</p>
<p>The flaw of your assessments is that you're going on hear-say. I hardly think that Cornell would have really cutthroat competition (even with 20k students, they have more than enough professors), and probably not essay-stealing/sabotage abound. Your cousin says you'll fit in UVa, but really, you don't know. Both colleges are good for college and life experience.</p>
<p>I'd recommend Cornell, based on the other information you provided.</p>
<p>Don't go by stereotypes. Visit the schools themselves.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>The "hearsay" came from the College ******* Guidebook, which I suppose is heresay nontheless, but somewhat accurate heresay.</p>
<p>I have visited Cornell, and I plan on visiting UVa soon.
However, I'd like the objective assessment of some current students if possible. Have any students from Cornell encounter the excessively competitive atmosphere that is allegedly there?</p>
<p>why was ******* edited out?</p>
<p>again too!
that's p r o w l e r</p>
<p>Yea, I figured you were quoting from College P r o w l e r. Anyway, the competition is greatly exaggerated as is the grade deflation as is the suicide rate. No sabotaging of experiments. No one's stealing notes. I'm not sure what field you're planning to go into but if your primary concern about Cornell is its supposed cutthroat atmosphere, you'll be fine.</p>
<p>I am biased because of my disdain for Cornell and all it stands for (just kidding), but UVA is really a great school. I would definitely visit both of them if possible.</p>
<p>if it helps before this summer i was planning on applying to Cornell ED and have UVA the #2 on my list. After visiting both and meeting students from both i completely changed my mind, and ended up applying and getting into UVA ED. For me it was the combination of prestige, academics, and social life in addition to the sports culture (D1, ACC sports) that was absent at Cornell. Also i liked the Campus and surrounding area of UVA much better.</p>