<p>Earlier in April I realized I was accepted into Wesleyan, Columbia, and Cornell. At first I thought the obvious choice I had to make was between Cornell and Columbia, but after visiting Wesfest, I knew that I belonged at Wesleyan. I fell in love with the people, the social life, and the academics! At Cornell and Columbia I felt so-so, I know that I can eventually be happy in either of these schools but it is not even comparable to how I felt at Wesleyan. Right now, I have narrowed my choice down to either Cornell or Wesleyan (only for my family's sake because I would send my deposit to Wesleyan in a heartbeat). My entire family wants me to go to ivy league b/c they feel that "when I get out of college, I will be competing with other students that have the exact qualifications as me, but they will have an edge if they go to an ivy league (recognized) school and I don't." Of course I know that this is not true, but I don't know how to prove their mentality wrong! I'm asking for your help since some of you might be or might have been in the same position I am. I have no idea how to prove to my family that Wesleyan is a great school and that I will have the same advantages going to Wes! </p>
<p>I would choose Columbia in a heartbeat. I don’t know why you are even deciding between Wes and Cornell. But, happiness can only be measured by the self. Please make this your decision. It’s your life, your four years of hardwork and joyous fun. In the end we regret the things we don’t do. If not going to Wes would truly be a regret then dismiss your parents’ opinions. Own your reality!</p>
<p>yrod, did you see Ted Kennedy Jr. speak at WesFest? He was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Williams, Vassar and Wesleyan. When choosing a schoolback in '79, he started with the premise that each of the schools at that level has strong academics. So he chose his school based on where he felt he fit best and where he would have the most fun: Wesleyan. He also mentioned that his step sister chose Wes over Brown.
Look at the alumni from Wes. Not too shabby. Also, it is one of the Little Ivies.
My daughter’s decision came down to Cornell and Wes. She just sent her deposit to Wesleyan.</p>
<p>yRod, I brought my son to 27 different colleges all over the US for visits, including five of the eight Ivies. He was also flown to Swarthmore from California last fall for their Discover Swarthmore weekend. Much to my surprise and delight, he chose Wesleyan Early Decision. He did this after having gone on four (yes, four!) Wesleyan campus tours, attending two info sessions, sitting in on one College of Letters seminar last spring, and having a personal interview in the admission office. Now, I am a Wesleyan alum and I am obviously biased in favor of Wes, but I wanted him to make his own choice and he did so. I hope your parents come to realize that in the end, where you go to college is actually the first important adult decision you will make. You seem to be the kind of young person who has done their homework and I hope that you will be permitted to make that decision. Good luck with this!</p>
<p>Wesleyan is well recognized by employers on the East Coast. I can see where there would be less name-recognition if you move to other parts of the country, but unless you go into a very peculiar field or run into a particularly petty hiring manager, I can’t imagine an employer making a giant distinction between Wesleyan and Cornell; they both are recognized to be great schools. Also, at a small school like Wes, you can develop close relationships with highly respected scholars. I honestly don’t know how much access you’ll have to your profs at a much bigger, more research-oriented school like Cornell, but that was probably the biggest difference between my college experience and my sister’s (she’s a Yalie.) I don’t know if your family is interested in annecdotal evidence, but I’ve lived a decade plus as a happy Wes alum who has heard “Oh, Wesleyan! That’s a great school!” during my job interviews more times than I can count. What can I say? I walked on campus and fell in love with the place, and I’ve never regretted picking Wes over Brown. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>I am sorry that your parents aren’t listening to what you want. Are y’all close enough that you can sit down and talk openly? I would gather all the reasons why I wanted to attend on paper and show it to them!!! Maybe you could stress to your parents that you could work hard at Wesleyan for your undergrad and then go to one of the other schools for grad school :)</p>
<p>This thread is firing me up lol! Check back into CC and tell us how it goes - I’m sure there will be people in your position in the future who would love to see this thread!</p>
<p>First of all, I hope that you have the final say in where you go. If the financial situation is not a factor, if you were offered similar amounts of $$ or have a family who can afford either school, you have to go with your heart. Too many kids let their parents pressure them into pathways that are not right for them. Too many kids come out of med school and law school and hate being doctors and lawyers; they only went to appease their parents’ wishes.</p>
<p>You are at a cross-road in your life. I am not being poety but literal. If you choose one school and not the other, you will come out a different person at the onther end.</p>