<p>I'm having a tough time choosing between Cornell and Vanderbilt. I know Cornell has a slightly better name but I do like Vanderbilt a bit more. Not taking finances into account (as they both will be about equal), Cornell or Vanderbilt (I'm planning on majoring in biology and doing pre-med)?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a Cornell alum, but I think you answered your own question when you said you like Vandy a bit more. </p>
<p>Here’s one way to look at it. If you ranked all of the 4 year colleges in America from top to bottom the list would go on for 50 or more pages. Cornell might be ranked a little higher, but they will both be on the top half of the first page - and with probably only a handful of lines separating them. With at most just a small academic distinction, if you like one better than the other I’d go with that gut instinct (all other factors being equal).</p>
<p>BTW: One possible advantage for Vanderbilt pre-meds is the presence of the medical college right on campus. I don’t know how much undergrads can get involved in research there, but it is worth investigating. By contrast, Cornell’s medical school is in NYC, more than 200 miles away.</p>
<p>^^^I think Padre13 makes a good point about the presence of the medical school. My son’s girlfriend (premed in Arts and Science) transferred to Vanderbilt this year as a sophomore, and has been involved in the medical center from the time she arrived on campus. She considers it a major plus over the situation at her previous college, which did not house a medical center.</p>
<p>Basically rephrasing what Padre13 says (along with some extra): The only major difference in educational quality among top US schools really starts at Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Stanford/MIT/Caltech. After them, there are still some minor differences in quality between the other Ivies and top 20 schools, but the quality of the undergraduate education they provide is pretty close. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt, on a per capita level, also has more money than Cornell. But hey, it’s your decision.</p>
<p>You might consider the environment and climate–</p>
<p>While Vanderbilt has a beautiful, lush campus, it is in a city. Cornell has a beautiful lush, campus in a more rural area that would appeal to people interested in outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, kayaking, etc.</p>
<p>Winters in Central New York are long, gray, and COLD. Nashville enjoys much more moderate temperatures.</p>
<p>Have you already heard from cornell? Did you do ed? I think that if you haven’t already, go visit both campuses and surrounding areas before making your decision. You should really get a feel of both environments before choosing what school. Then, make your decision regardless of ranking. Sure cornell is an ivy, but there isn’t much difference between the two, so go where your gut tells you.</p>
<p>i got a likely from cornell and got an official acceptance to vandy a few days ago</p>
<p>Cornell has a very distinct culture that you really need to like to get the most out of Cornell. If you can visit, I’d do that. Academically, I’d say Cornell is superior, but in all honesty, Vanderbilt is not at all far behind. </p>
<p>Keep in mind your future after Undergrad - both colleges send students all over the US to all types of jobs and grad schools, but Cornell has better connections and tendencies for some areas, while Vanderbilt has others.</p>
<p>Vandy has a distinct culture as well. If you visit, you’ll see that right off.</p>
<p>The pre-med track at Vanderbilt includes some of the hardest, hardest-graded courses on campus (all the intro sciences are supposed to be a bear). If you know anyone at Cornell, I’d ask about how the courses are there.</p>