<p>I just got into HMC and Cornell but I am not sure which I should attend. Right now I am pretty set on mechanical engineering and I want to do some kind of research. HMC's Clinic seems great but I don't want to put such a financial stress on my family by flying from New Jersey out to California several times a year. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice about what I should do or know the advantages one school has over the other?</p>
<p>You have to go with what feels right. My son had the same choice. Even though we are on the East Coast and most people have never heard of it, he chose Mudd. He has always been happy with that choice (let’s face it, the weather is way better than Ithaca). Mudd seemed better well-rounded to him and he was never concerned with whether or not he went to an Ivy. If you can, go to the admitted students weekends at both. That is what made the difference for my son. Mudd just felt right to him. In the scheme of things, the cost of the airfare back and forth isn’t that much of difference when you think about what the total cost is. If you buy in advance, fly at off peak hours, etc., it keeps the cost down. Plus, you can Skype to talk with family and friends for free, so you don’t feel so far away. In either event, you can’t go wrong with either Mudd or Cornell. It is a nice dilema to have.</p>
<p>I realize I didn’t really answer your question. Here were the advantages of Mudd over Cornell that my son saw (and still sees):</p>
<p>Real emphasis in the humanities – it leads to a less insular student body and a better rounded education. The end result is that you are an engineer, scientist, mathematician who can actually communicate with the other people in the company that ultimately employs you. </p>
<p>Professors who are dedicated to teaching – since there are no graduate students, the attention and research opportunities are with the undergrads.</p>
<p>Eclectic student body – he just found the HMC students to be more interesting and more secure.</p>
<p>Weather – ok, there is no contest here. Let’s see, gray and cold almost all the school year v. sunny and mild almost all the school year.</p>
<p>A very supportive student body. The core is tough and it can really take a toll (this may be a downside over Cornell), but it is the best education in the sciences and math you could hope for. Everyone seems to be in it together and the students genuinely seem to help each other. </p>
<p>The 5 C’s. The best of all worlds. Small college, but ability to take classes meet people from all the Claremont Colleges. Just about every Mudder takes humanities classes at the other colleges.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>thank you for all the info! I am going to attend admitted students weekend at HMC but won’t be able to make it to the one at Cornell. If i like Mudd I will probably go there otherwise I think I will end up at Cornell (luckily the weather isn’t that big a deal to me).</p>
<p>My son liked Mudd a lot. But we had toured Cornell a few years ago, and it seems like the University setting provides some of the same advantages as the Claremont Consortium.</p>
<p>If campus living for all 4 years is a pro or a con, take that into account too. (I think many Cornell students have to live off campus.)</p>