Cornell vs. Vanderbilt

College Search & Selection
1

Alright so I’m basically down to these 2. Here are some thoughts.

First, Cornell will probably be about $10,000 more than Vanderbilt after four years (to be clear, NOT yearly. I’m saying that after graduating we will have spent $10,000 more in total at Cornell than at Vanderbilt).

I want to have a good time in college and know that both are very good schools. I think I will go Greek (I’ll at least rush) but I don’t think I’d want to live in a frat house (I understand that vandy only has top officers living in them, but I don’t really care since I am assuming it’s ok to not live in a Cornell frat house if I don’t want to). I don’t want to be hanging around stereotypical frat people though, I feel like those guys will be annoying to me. I’m planning to play club ultimate at whichever one I go to, and obviously Vandy wins in the frisbee-weather department. I’m pretty undecided on a major, but will be arts and sciences. Potentially something with poly sci/government as a major and then minors in spanish and computer science. Honestly undecided though, those are just some thoughts. I really find having easy access to a wide variety of classes across all the schools at the college to be very important. Also definitely will study abroad. Also I don’t think I feel quite as comfortable in the south as I do in the rest of the U.S. But I understand that Vanderbilt can’t be treated as a representation of the south. Nashville vs. Ithaca I think Ithaca wins for me. But I don’t want to get rid of Vandy because of that, Id spend most of my time on campus there anyway.

A couple of things about Cornell

• I’d be a Tanner Dean’s Scholar (has got some perks, it’s a little community of about 40 per class, has events and stuff with professors from Cornell, has got a research fund where I’d be able to get I think $5,000 for summer research - I assume Id take advantage of that despite not currently having any specific research desires)
• I think, keyword “think” (as in im not certain), that the people at Cornell would generally be less annoying to me than those at vanderbilt (seem less fratty/preppy I guess), but also more weird. So that’s something. Maybe a pro and a con.

That’s all I could think of right now. Please let me know if you’ve got any questions, and disregard my other post I had comparing Cornell Vandy and WashU (some info I gave wasn’t up-to-date). Thank you!

2

oh also I don’t love the idea of super rigorous academics so if one would probably be significantly easier than the other that’d be helpful for me to hear too

3

You don’t want rigorous academics so you applied to some of the best academic schools in the country? If you’re just in it for the Greek life why not apply to a big state school?

4

Both of these choices are likely going to involve “super rigorous academics.”

5

And how did you get accepted in the first place if you’re not a fan of rigorous academics?

6

Cornell is known for being rigorous and stressful, more so than Vandy. But it all depends on your major, imo!

7

Having just toured Cornell and Vanderbilt about 2 weeks ago, I would choose Vanderbilt right away.

The Vanderbilt campus is stunningly beautiful, and much easier to walk than Cornell. At Cornell, we were walking about 20 minutes and were still less than 1/2 way across the campus.

Also everyone just seemed happier at Vanderbilt than Cornell.

8

I would pick Cornell, an ivy league school. 10k isn’t even that much and well worth it imo to attend an ivy league school.

9

@ihavefewECs Where did you end up committing?

10

Haha I should have clarified what I meant by super rigorous academics. I didn’t mean it the way it was interpreted, I just meant I don’t love a ton of busy work and stuff like that cause that’s annoying. Idk why I even needed to mention it I don’t know of anyone who likes that stuff. Anyway though, thanks for the comments. I committed to Cornell and am really excited to go there next year! I’m sure Vanderbilt would be awesome as well but now big red all the way—gotta get that school spirit started early!

11

Vanderbilt – easier, better weather (my brother goes to Cornell not thinking the freezing weather would bother him and he’s miserable), smaller classes and more personal attention. Both are great choices (tied for #15 in US News and Report). I would go Vanderbilt, though, if I were you