<p>I was also accepted to McCormick and to Cornell's Engineering and I can't decide what to do... I think that I would like engineering but since I have never taken an engineering course, I don't know for sure. If anyone has any thoughts on the Integrated Science Program or on a decision between Cornell and Northwestern I would love to hear them.</p>
<p>Go with ISP- you can always drop out into McCormick if its too intense/ you dont like it (entirely possible)- and I believe you can double major into Engineering if you want to. (I know at least one ISP student who has an engineering major too).</p>
<p>As for cornell vs. nu, I may as well post this here (it was a pm):</p>
<p>I'll be honest: I didn't apply to Cornell. With my Uncle as a Professor there, both my cousins having gone there and my step brother currently enrolled, and an average of 13 people a year from my high school matriculating there, I had had ample exposure to the campus, the culture, the social life, and the academics. I noticed the similarities between Northwestern and Cornell, certainly, but NU had everything I wanted, while Cornell had almost nothing (it had better programs in the Humanities I was interested in). It should be noted my girlfriend DID chose Northwestern over Cornell.</p>
<p>Here's why I chose Northwestern, as compared to reasons I didn't like Cornell:</p>
<p>First and foremost is the campus location. Ithaca sucks and has little to do, and has even worse winters than NU (some of the worst of any school, actually). While both have major Greek scenes, NU's is actually quite a bit tamer (fewer gang rapes, for instance). The smaller undergraduate student body (and better student: faculty ratio) allow for a much more intimate feel; Cornell is a small, big school whereas NU is a true mid-size school.</p>
<p>The strong, non-elitism based school spirit, driven from an actual love of the school rather than a feeling of "I'm at an Ivy, go me, go us, we rock" was a HUGE draw- it forges a real bond of community that you see all over campus and in your interactions. The students here are FAR less cut-throat, since the grades are less deflated, more mid-western kids (I'm from the Northeast and am very glad to not have to deal with NE competitive ******** quite as much). The specialized schools and programs attract people who are very interesting and very passionate about what they do- Medill students and Comm students are some of the most fun people on campus to interact with (and I'm in a fraternity). Many of my teachers here have been truly inspired (and inspiring), from incredible lecturers to seminar instructors who actually lead discussion well, seem interested in what you have to say and take your class out to lunch after the class is over.</p>
<p>Thanks to the residential college system (in which I also take part), you can have plenty of 1 on 1 out of classroom interaction with professors- most days I eat at least lunch, if not dinner also, with faculty members and have wonderful conversations.</p>
<p>The sports culture (along with the Greek scene) were both turns offs for me coming in, but I figured I'd sequester myself in the "south". Not so! I quickly got wrapped up in the sports scene (we may not win all the time, but the games are great!). It really, truly adds to the energy and spirit of the campus, to the point where I was incredibly sad when football season was over. And the pride you get when you look up at the rebecca crown clocktower and see it glowing purple is intense. And the Greek scene was obviously very different from my pre-conceived notions. It's exclusive only in so far as you need to want to join, and not be a jerk (more or less), and it really enhances your experience if you choose to take part (or even if you dont, since likely many of your parties as a freshman will be through the fraternities).</p>
<p>While both have major Greek scenes, NU's is actually quite a bit tamer (fewer gang rapes, for instance)."</p>
<p>Yikes, arbiter - did you really mean that both have gang rapes but NU's is lower? I fear for what you're saying to prospies here ...</p>
<p>errr, No. Definitely no gang rapes here. That was meant sort of tongue in cheek- I've just heard stories of certain chapters at Cornell (particularly, unfortunately, my organization's chapter).</p>
<p>For the record: Gang rapes are NOT common occurrences at either school. In retrospect that was probably not in the best taste, and I apologize.</p>
<p>I'm looking for the USNWR rankings of colleges by gang rapes. Do you have that by any chance?</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch arbiter, it is good to know that as a Northwestern student you really stand by your school. I definitely would rather go to a school without a cut-throat competitive atmosphere, though I think I could handle a little competition. I do think that you are a little harsh on Cornell (I think people enjoy both colleges), but I will certainly take what you say into account.</p>
<p>afruff: I think they're right after the rankigns by crack snorting per capita. Not sure though.</p>