Cornell vs. Williams

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>Congrats Everyone! I'm glad that the whole waiting process is over! It feels so good to have a big load off my shoulders! Now comes the hard part... I've been going back and forth between Williams and Cornell, and I really can't make a decision. I'm planning to visit both schools later this month, but only for a short period of time.</p>

<p>Here's a little information about me:
I want to pursue something that involves lots of interaction with people in the future (as broad and general as that may be), and so I'm considering going into psychology or sociology. I'm definitely not really a big city type, and I don't know how well I would do in humid weather (I do enjoy the sun though). I dread the quarter system (I don't think I'd like taking so many classes and exams so frequently). I really want to attend a school that is fairly cohesive, where people are friendly and supportive, and like to do things together, rather than go off on their own all the time (I like people!!). I'm not a huge sports fan, but I do like the idea of a unified student body. </p>

<p>So far, here are the pros I've come up with from each school.
Cornell:
Pros: Location (I guess this could be a con for some people...), Highly ranked in social sciences, lots of internship opportunities, semester system, diverse</p>

<p>Williams:
Pros: Unified student body, people do things together on campus, more highly ranked in terms of overall school, diverse, oxford tutorial</p>

<p>I tried to think of cons... but couldn't! I love them both!</p>

<p>Anything to add? Please help me in this decision. I am so stuck!!! (Current students' advice would be GREATLY appreciated!)</p>

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<p>Excellent post from CayugaRed last year:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/688833-open-letter-chandler-cornell-v-williams.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/688833-open-letter-chandler-cornell-v-williams.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Congratulations on two fantastic acceptances. Good luck with your decision - and have a great time choosing!</p>

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<p>^that literally says it ALL. have fun with your decision, you are a very lucky student.</p>

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<p>Wow! Thanks so much for the information guys! The post is mad LONG! haha</p>

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<p>Here’s the thing: Cornell is cohesive in its uncohesiveness. There are way too many types of people at Cornell to even attempt to be cohesive. Philosophers. Hotel managers. Agriculture students. Architects. </p>

<p>The only times when Cornell will feel cohesive is: 1) Orientation week. 2) Sporting events. 3) Slope Day. 4) Senior week.</p>

<p>Cornell is twenty times larger than Williams. Let that sink in.</p>

<p>What program would you be at Cornell? Undeclared Arts and Sciences?</p>

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<p>hi caguyaaa =]</p>

<p>I read your awesome post about Cornell in the CB blog! Thanks for helping us prefrosh out!</p>

<p>I think I’m interested in going into the Psych program at Cornell (at least for now). </p>

<p>Would you agree with the statement “College (or anything) is what you make out of it?” </p>

<p>I read in the CB blog that you can have a Williams experience at Cornell, but do you think that’s true? </p>

<p>Thank you! Although this is a difficult choice, I’m glad that it’s a happy one!</p>

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<p>Of course! You can take all liberal arts courses with a lot of seminars and independent studies that are one-on-one with professors. You can join some awesome club sports teams (which are pretty equivalent to the Division III teams that nearly every Williams student joins). On the weekends you can go backpacking throughout the Finger Lakes or screen movies at Cornell Cinema. And you can live in a house or a co-op with a lot of other like-minded students, which would end up being pretty similar to the Williams entry system.</p>

<p>Of course, there are going to be some differences. The first psychology course you take will have over 1000 students in it (but it’s one of the most popular and well-rated courses on campus!) And nobody will wear purple on purpose.</p>

<p>And you’re going to be on campus with a bunch of other students who will have a Cornell experience that may be closer to being Caltech (the engineers), RISD (the architects), Cal-Davis (the Aggies), University of Michigan (the kids in frats), or Harvard (the over-extended workaholics) than Williams.</p>

<p>Oh, and there’s also going to be a lot more psych-related courses at Cornell than at Williams. Not only in the Psych program, but also in programs like Organizational Behavior, Communication, and Human Development:</p>

<p>[Courses</a> of Study 2009-2010](<a href=“http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=AS&dept=Psychology]Courses”>http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=AS&dept=Psychology)</p>

<p>[Courses</a> of Study 2009-2010](<a href=“http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=ILR&dept=Organizational+Behavior]Courses”>http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=ILR&dept=Organizational+Behavior)
[Courses</a> of Study 2009-2010](<a href=“http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=ALS&dept=Communication]Courses”>http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=ALS&dept=Communication)
[Courses</a> of Study 2009-2010](<a href=“http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=HE&dept=Human+Development]Courses”>http://courses.cuinfo.cornell.edu/CoScourses.php?college=HE&dept=Human+Development)</p>

<p>But nobody at Cornell is going to hold your hand and give you this experience. You’re going to have to make it for yourself.</p>

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<p>oh boy cayuga! i remember that chandler bing character! </p>

<p>you still keep in touch? shouldnt he be graduating soon? lol</p>

<p>i’d say williams would probably be a better choice if you’re wanting a chill personal college experience. small classes and such. </p>

<p>lot of things going on at cornell easy to get distracted. </p>

<p>though cornell is a great place to wonder the mysteries and complexities of life…even just attending a year or two can have a significant impact! just ask kurt voneggut, frank morgan, harry chapin lol…</p>

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<p>That’s one of the problems. Especially freshman and sophomore year. It takes a while to find yourself at Cornell. Unless you have some guidance.</p>

<p>That’s why I am here :)</p>

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<p>If I remember correctly, CB is currently a freshman at Williams.</p>