<p>I visited Cornell this summer. I liked the school, I liked the atmosphere, but one thing bothered me a lot - its surroundings. I live in the suburb, and for me, Cornell was in the middle of cow-filled farms, if not in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>For those who go there, does the location bother you? Is there much to do than let's say, staying in the school? Are there shops/malls? Is it convenient overall?</p>
<p>Also, what do you like the most and hate the most about Cornell?</p>
<p>I'm debating whether or not to apply there early. The biggest thing that's bothering me from doing so is that it's a big school in the middle of nowhere...</p>
<p>If the surroundings bother you, then don't apply; at least not early decision. No matter what people are going to tell you here, the things that bother you will keep lingering in your mind. Cornell is not for everyone; some love it, some hate it.</p>
<p>umm i wouldn't base my decision of the surrounding area since u will spend most of ur time on campus. the areas u would frequent are pretty populated, like a suburban area.</p>
<p>Hell no. The lack of civilization around is part of the reason I like Cornell so much. It has everything I need with zero of the hassle. It's not like I wake up everyday wanting to go a giant 174 story mall or disneyland.</p>
<p>Cornell isn't actually in an uncivilized area. There are several mall complexes nearby with every store under the sun. There's a ton to do on campus itself, ranging from a full size movie theater to an actual bowling alley. Collegetown has a ridiculous amount of restaurants, and downtown ithaca is a charming town a little bit reminiscent of Princeton, NJ.</p>
<p>One of the reason I like Cornell a lot is because I'm from right around NYC and used to big urban areas and cities. For me, it was...I chill in the west village and head up to midtown all the time, I can do that whenever and will probably live in that same sort of area or in the city my whole life. So I figured, why not try something different? Rural life might be interesting for a change, I'd really like to get to know the outdoors. So keep that in mind too, that it could be cool to try something different. </p>
<p>But then again, if it really bugs you, don't go. But apply, just in case :)</p>
<p>a lot of my friends came from big cities, many with the same mentality as oceanborn. im from a suburb and dont find it boring at all. there is fun stuff to do outside like go to the gorges, hike, etc. but you will be on campus and in collegetown/the commons mostly. there is always something going on from bars, coffee shops, shows, restaurants, frat parties, mini golf, movies, etc. you arent by any means hanging out in the corn fields with a bunch of hicks or something.</p>
<p>when i first visited cornell, i had the same reaction. i couldn't believe that such a large university could be after 31 miles (rte 79) of run down villages, blinking traffic lights, and barns and pastures. But surprisingly, Ithaca is rather civilized. And at Cornell, you don't notice anything else but cornell, collegetown, and the Commons. And I was thinking the same thing, about how it's a bit like Princeton.</p>
<p>It's not as much like Princeton as it's like, say, Iowa City or other relatively isolated university-centered cities. The point of most of New Jersey is NYC--local entertainment tends to be horrible in every non-metropolis on the East Coast because everyone flees to the metropoles. Ithaca is really the best, biggest town in the area, so people don't leave in order to have fun; they have plenty of things to do right there, whereas students at Princeton and especially Columbia are more likely to leave campus for the City. Suburbs like that, to me, are more nowhere than places like Ithaca because they're not the focus of anything; what of import goes on in them?</p>
<p>I spent the first half of my life living just forty miles east of Ithaca, and my mom's family has been there for generations; ignoring the slight to my Rust Belt birthplace, I'd say Cornell is an excellent balance of city and "nowhere". All the necessary malls and entertainments are right there with no need to hop on a train for half an hour, but you're also surrounded by hills, trees, and a humongous lake (features in which I find the Midwest sorely lacking). Plus, the city's actually got a future and a vibrancy thanks largely to the university, unlike a lot of dying/dead manufacturing towns in the area.</p>
<p>But, hey, you can always hop on a bus and sit for four hours to get to NYC.</p>
<p>yeah princeton does have the advantage of an hour to phila and NYC, but suburbia is probably less exciting than the countryside. Miles and miles of housing developments aren't very picturesque, even if the town is. While it's true that the proximity of the towns to major cities differs, the character of the towns themselves and the utility (as opposed to character) of the surrounding area outside the immediate outskirts of the towns are similar.</p>
<p>When I visited Cornell with my daughter, I was impressed with how much the public transportation system has improved since I was a student there many years ago.</p>
<p>The local buses go pretty much everywhere, and they are free for Cornell students who do not bring a car to school. So students can easily get to the mall or downtown. This is better than in some suburban areas, where the lack of mass transit might make it very difficult for students without cars to get out into the community.</p>
<p>Besides the things already mentioned, one more source of interesting things to do in Ithaca is Ithaca College. It seems to attract entirely different speakers, concerts, and other events than Cornell does. And the buses go there, too.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Now I think I can apply to Cornell without regretting. It sounds like a warm community.</p>
<p>I just have another question. Since Cornell is so big, do you ever feel overwhelmed? like, there're so many people that you don't know anyone relatively?</p>
<p>lightuh - there's a thread I made maybe two weeks ago with a link to a free guide about the ithaca area. It's been a tremendous help with things to do around Ithaca (there's really way way more than first meets the eye). The town really has everything you'll ever need as a college student. Ithaca isn't a large city, but it's also far from "the middle of nowhere." I've been to a few schools who really are in the middle of nowhere, and Cornell is far from it. You'll always be busy with activities both on and off campus. </p>
<p>On the topic of Cornell's size, the only thing overwhelming about it is the idea that I have sooo many opportunities sitting right next to me on campus that I can take advantage of. It's tough to pick and choose. You'll likely form a core group of a small friends that you'll remain close friends with for all 4 years.</p>
<p>You're wondering whether Ithaca's quality of life matches your suburb.</p>
<p>While, at the same time, I was just planning a quick family vacation trip for the end of August, from the suburb where I'm living up to Ithaca. </p>
<p>We're not going this time (been up about three times previously), but if we went I was thinking we would: go to movies and hear live music- both on campus and off; visit several of the gorgeous state parks, and gorgeous Cornell campus, Cornell Plantations, go boating on Cayuga lake, visit some wineries, maybe see a Trivia Contest at the Chapter House. Might have taken the younger one bowling, either on-campus or off. See "Hello Dolly at The Hangar Theater. Eaten at Moosewood. Maybe hit "the Rongo" for even more live music. Play tennis downtown. The older kids might have hung out in Collegetown.</p>
<p>There was actually a lot more to do there than there is where we're going, Or that we would actually do here.</p>
<p>And Cornell isn't even in session yet, so the available activities are low now.</p>
<p>When I was a student I spent most of my summers in Ithaca. I love it there. If I could make a living I would live there.</p>
<p>In fairness, I had a car starting my junior year and I think this helped keep the last few years fresh and interesting. Prior to that, though, I don't recall being at all bored with what was available to me.</p>