<p>By the way, I did apply for a room change but I'm on a waiting list of sorts..who knows how long that nonsense will take..</p>
<p>And..I did not intend to be condescending.</p>
<p>Lucky you, I would sell my soul to go to Cornell</p>
<p>i second ramennoodles, as i said before don't degrade yourself by going to an inferior college. enjoy your intellectual power at Cornell.</p>
<p>Supindy,
The people who go to top 15 schools are not inherently better than people at any other schools (or not at school for that matter). They've likely had access to more resources, done better on standardized tests, and done better in high school. I agree up to that point. Then you make the non-sequitur, that people at schools like Cornell are "worth more" than people who can't gain admission to them.</p>
<p>Wake up! College is about more than prestige or endowment. How about going to a college that adequately fits you, that makes you feel comfortable, that challenges you (but not unduly so)? Is the kid who slacks off at Cornell really "better" than the underprivileged kid who runs a 4.0 at his community college? I really hope you don't say yes to that. How about going to a college that inspires you, that promotes an ideology you support? Surely you aren't suggesting that anyone who gets into Cornell should go, right? Because that would be patently absurd.</p>
<p>What about the kid who turned down Harvard to go to Davidson? Was he really wrong in not taking on massive debt, gaining access to research opportunities that simply wouldn't be available to him at Harvard, and enjoying a smaller, more community-oriented college experience?</p>
<p>What about one's major? Would it be wrong of me to go to Middlebury over Cornell if I'm crazy about English?</p>
<p>Four years (I would argue almost any reasonable length of time) is too long to be unhappy. College is supposed to be enjoyable. At what point should OP stop and say, "Ok, I've had enough now"? After Cornell, should he put himself (or herself) through the grind that is graduate school because of the doors it might open, even if it makes him miserable for the duration?</p>
<p>Lastly, college is not all about increasing your earning power. Are you really going to rank schools based on the average income of graduates five years down the road? What if a school emphasizes philanthropic work (teaching, etc)? Their average income may be lower, but that's not because it produces incompetent students, but because it produces students with a certain focus.</p>
<p>I thought you were joking when you posted originally. Then I read more and it became all too clear that you were being serious. Think a little before posting mindless trash.</p>
<p>TKO by Clay.</p>
<p>My own experience at Cornell was horrible and I wished I had tranferred out after my first year. I stuck it out like many of the people in here are telling you and I did not gain anything from it. It's like a bad relationship; it will never get better with time. </p>
<p>If you never went to Cornell you will never understand why Cornell sucks. Many of the classes are way out of touch with what's going on today. The philosophy of the school hasn't changed since the '30s. Plus, the school rides on the reputation of the yesteryears than recent accomplishments of their professors or students. </p>
<p>I took a creative writing class at Cornell and it was easier than the one I took at a junior college, just more convoluted in terms of what good writing supposed to be. Cornell has this attitude that going back into the past and staying there is the most noble and virtuous thing to do. That whole virtuous crap is what sustains their aura they still cling onto from their hey day when Cornell's education did matter more than their name. Now it's all about keeping appearance more than providing quality education. When I was there, I was constantly bombarded with construction companies remodeling buildings that seemed fine and landscapers constantly reworking the grounds to make the place look like an Ivy League school. Schools should not be focused that much on their appearances. </p>
<p>During parents week, the school would actually hire a small orchestra to play classical music while the parents dine with their kids. The parents get this illusion that their money is well spent. It's all a show.Cornell is never going to be Harvard or Yale and they know that. So, they do all they can to attract the Harvard or Yale rejects to make them feel good about still going to an Ivy League.</p>
<p>If you hate Cornell now, you'll hate Cornell even more later. I would suggest going to a school with fewer trust-fund brats who will amount to nothing when they graduate and classes with professors who actually know what's going on in their field beyond the 1970s....</p>
<p>P.S. If you do stick it out, you will get a piece of paper called a diploma, and nothing else... If you are truly devoted to English and writing, please research schools that actually are... My friends who were English majors at Cornell never amounted to anything special. My friends from other schools actually won more awards, grants, book deals, etc. A better school for English is Columbia or Princeton. And the graduates from those school actually get book deals upon graduation. Case in point, a friend of mine who got a book deal with Random House before she graduated and it was a good book too. Not some fluff that will be forgotten in few years.</p>
<p>Personally, my Cornell experience was SIGNIFICANTLY different from GreenForest's. I find it kind of weird that it was the first post by somebody after they joined this forum. </p>
<p>"If you hate Cornell now, you'll hate Cornell even more later"</p>
<p>Absolutely wrong. You'll be setting yourself up for certain failure with this attitude, and I see this comment as sort of a misguided blow to somebody looking for guidance with the college experience. I also think it's ironic that you barge in with more attitude than the "trust fund brats" you mention. Then again, the english department must need some dire work since you failed to read and properly interpret her statement "I do not hate Cornell in the least." Solid work. </p>
<p>Muffin - it sounds like you have touble adjusting to being away from home. It happens, the first semester wasn't the easiest for me either. After a while, I was able to adjust - I joined several clubs, met new people, and decided to expand my horizons a bit. I still missed parts of home, but getting involved creates a distraction so you're not thinking about home all of the time. After a while, you'll develop your own routine and will see being away as an opportunity and not a burden.</p>
<p>"And..I did not intend to be condescending."</p>
<p>I'm sure you didn't. That doesn't change the fact that you were.
My reason for pointing this out was simply to remind you to think before you speak (or write). :)</p>
<p>Obviously, gomestar is clinging onto Cornell and needs to make Cornell work. What I find fascinating is gomestar's logic, or the lack of, in regards to someone making a negative comment about Cornell after recently joining this forum. Gomestar obviously doesn't understand that people are allowed to make any kind of comment, regardless of when they joined the forum.. Gomestar seems to lack quite a bit in the logic and personal freedom department. This obviously mirrors gomestar's tendency to comply and conform to whatever situation comes her way. Plus, it's just further evidence of her insecurities about being at Cornell. </p>
<p>I have already graduated from Cornell and moved on. My opinion was not based solely on my experience but those of many others who I still keep in touch with. Collectively, their experiences stretch far beyond gomestar's neurotic and high-strung strive to defend Cornell. She is a perfect match for an outdated institution as such. Obviously gomestar needs to justify and validate her stay at Cornell, since she has to quash any doubts that might jump out and invalidate her decision.</p>
<p>Very little in our society is worse than being alone/feeling abandoned at college because there is little to prepare you for it unless you have been privileged to spend summers growing up at camp etc. Leaving Cornell would not be a failure, it would just be an acknowledgement that it isn't the right place, but this early in the year is perhaps too early to make this choice. But the most important thing is for Muffin to take care of her/his mental health. If Cornell isn't able to provide any mental health and moral support despite its amazing facilities and resources, then I would be concerned about it as an institution. So if Muffin hasn't tried to get help please do and if you have and you haven't gotten any please let your parents know what your problems are. And you aren't the problem, you are simply having problems. It is Cornell's responsibility to make sure you get help.</p>
<p>"Obviously, gomestar is clinging onto Cornell and needs to make Cornell work."
It works for thousands of students every year. Still, if it didn't work for you, it must be Cornell's fault. </p>
<p>"What I find fascinating is gomestar's logic, or the lack of, in regards to someone making a negative comment about Cornell after recently joining this forum."
There wasn't a logic statement involved. It was an observation - which I still find really weird ... and my opinion on the matter has grown significantly. </p>
<p>"Gomestar obviously doesn't understand that people are allowed to make any kind of comment, regardless of when they joined the forum"
Yeah, but you were really far off base with the OP's problem. Especially since she very clearly said "i do not hate Cornell" ... you promply jumped in with "well if you hate Cornell now, you'll hate Cornell forever". Of course you're allowed to make that kind of comment - but be advised it makes you look really stupid. </p>
<p>"This obviously mirrors gomestar's tendency to comply and conform to whatever situation comes her way."
...and I thought your previous statement made you look stupid. How wrong was I!</p>
<p>"Plus, it's just further evidence of her insecurities about being at Cornell.
I have already graduated from Cornell and moved on."
I've graduated and moved on as well. I'm not browsing college admissions forums looking to drown a student looking for hope and advice, but I guess somepeople's glass is always half empty. Sounds like you've joined the league of all of your friends who "never amounted to anything special". </p>
<p>"My opinion was not based solely on my experience but those of many others who I still keep in touch with."
That's all I delivered too. </p>
<p>"Collectively, their experiences stretch far beyond gomestar's neurotic and high-strung strive to defend Cornell."
Greenforrest obviously doesn't understand that people are allowed to make any kind of comment. (notice how I just copy/pasted your statement, hypocrite). </p>
<p>For somebody who discusses my logic a few times, I'd like to note some of your own logic: "My friends who were English majors at Cornell never amounted to anything special. My friends from other schools actually won more awards, grants, book deals, etc. A better school for English is Columbia or Princeton. And the graduates from those school actually get book deals upon graduation." Well this is such a dealbreaker!! Nevermind personal talent, your ability to be a well published author when you graduate is determined by these select few English programs. You must know the secret to getting published, now go spread the word!! </p>
<p>"Many of the classes are way out of touch with what's going on today."
Ha! It sounds like you wanted to major in biochem, but your parents enrolled you as a history major and you never quite figured the whole situation out. On a more serious note, if Cornell is "out of touch" with today because it's already trying to figure out tomorrow's problems. It's one of the most esteemed research universities in the world, this didn't happen by accident. </p>
<p>"Obviously gomestar needs to justify and validate her stay at Cornell"
Or since he/she genuinely enjoyed his/her time at Cornell and believes the OP should be encouraged to seek out many of the resources the university offers as it could be a tremendous benefit to help in the tough transition between high school and college. It's also rewarding to know the best you could throw at me was to insert "she" and "her" in any sentence where gender could be stated. Keynes did that in his writings, except he was intelligent and well respected (a key distinction).</p>
<p>"If Cornell isn't able to provide any mental health and moral support despite its amazing facilities and resources, then I would be concerned about it as an institution"</p>
<p>Not a problem!</p>
<p>Muffin - I suggest you take a look into CAPS. It's a general university counseling service that specializes in students and their needs. I don't want you to think of it as like a mental institution for those who can't handle the place (it's not!). I think they can help you to adjust to college life on an emotional level. The building is located right next to Willard Straight hall so it's convenient between classes. </p>
<p>Welcome</a> to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Cornell University</p>
<p>I was in your situation during my Freshman year. I had switched from a Biology to an English major, and then to a Political Science major, and was really confused. Though I got into some really great programs, etc., the shock of being thrust into an unfamiliar environment was too much for me, and consequently I didn't know how to act or conduct myself; I didn't know what do do with myself, honestly. I was drinking 6 cups of coffee a day plus energy drinks and Gingko Biloba. Needless to say, I had to withdraw. I went through therapy, though, and that helped—and now I'm doing quite well at my University and am happy with my major. I found that I was extremely homesick, and after going home for a couple of weekends, my stress level gradually decreased, and I felt much happier in the end. Given your description of your state, it sounds like you're depressed from homesickness. Go back home on the weekends. That should really help you. Additionally, if you find yourself feeling especially unhappy while working and in classes concerning your major, you may be in the wrong major. If you are experiencing this, consider changing your major. Some people have even said that they had to travel in order to find themselves. The possibilities are endless. Do what you like, and see your family often. That's my advice to you.</p>
<p>I don't doubt that gomestar is a perfect match for a defunct school like Cornell...She just wants to impose the notion that Cornell is still a school of merit and caliber. It's obvious that if people don't recognize how great of a school Cornell is, it really crushes her. I mean, she stuck it out through her difficult days and that all meant something, right? Cornell prides itself on still teaching agriculture science, but they don't even have a real film department... Behind the times? You be the judge. </p>
<p>If the school's current reputation is still stellar and that fact is tacit, why should gomestar be so upset?... My opinions would mean nothing to her and she can just sit back. But obviously it means everything to her.... Ha ha ha....
What gomestar doesn't understand is that the more she gets riled up, the more defensive she appears. Her world is caving in, oh no...</p>
<p>Obviously she doesn't have any factual information to back up her claim so she need to resort to personal attacks. But that's expected from someone who is in denial and is trying her best to suppress her own set of doubts. The level of sophistication Cornell's fine education can bring to someone like gomestar is duly noted.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure what's going on here. It seems like GreenForest had a bad experience and is intent on making it so for the rest of Cornell students. There are people who have bad experiences at every school. This doesn't make those schools "defunct" or "out of touch" even if it felt that way to a few people.</p>
<p>Cornell's a top-notch school. Their math and engineering departments hold world-wide acclaim, not that any of their other departments are too shabby. Cornell was an amazing school in the 30's and it still IS an amazing school. I wouldn't be surprised if 80%+ of kids at Cornell were in love with it.</p>
<p>I'm sorry you had a bad experience, GreenForest, but telling OP to leave Cornell after only being there for a few weeks is utter nonsense. A lot of my friends were homesick initially, then gradually transitioned into college life, and now love it. The first few weeks at a new college, in a totally new environment, with practically no one you know, (and a serious workload to boot) are natural stress-inducers. Wait it out. Get involved. If OP is still unhappy after three or four months, then I think it'd be cause for concern. Until then, just take the first few weeks knowing that they'll likely be the toughest. Cornell is an incredible school. Give it some time.</p>
<p>"Cornell prides it self on still teaching agriculture science, but they don't even have a real film department... Behind the times? You be the judge"</p>
<p>Cornell has some of the most advanced technology of any university in the world, including brand new bio, biotech, and lab facilities (Weill Hall), one of the largest sustainability efforts of any US university (Cornell</a> University - Sustainability - Overview%5DCornell">http://www.cornell.edu/sustainability/)), and some of the most advanced particle physics equipment out there (which, may I add, they invented: [url=<a href="http://www.lepp.cornell.edu/)%5DLEPP%5B/url">http://www.lepp.cornell.edu/)]LEPP[/url</a>]. </p>
<p>But I guess all of this is down the tubes since they don't have a real film department. Great logic there. FYI - Harvard doesn't have a real film department either. Dolt!</p>
<p>"If the school's current reputation is still stellar and that fact is tacit, why should gomestar be so upset?... "</p>
<p>It's one thing to say you didn't have a good experience at Cornell and leave it at that. It's not a school for everybody. It's another thing to say it's "defunct" and out of date with what's going on today. Statements like this are formed due to a lack of intelligence on the issue which I will gladly prove wrong (and I did). </p>
<p>"the more defensive she appears."</p>
<p>I'm not defending the fact that Cornell is just sooooo awesome and everybody should have a mangificent time. I'm defending the reality that you just skipped over in your stupid remarks. The point of this forum is to inform people, not to pass errant information. I'm sorry you didn't have a great time at Cornell - but I'm certain it's not because of the Univesrity, but rather the fact that you are a miserable person.</p>
<p>"Obviously she doesn't have any factual information to back up her claim so she need to resort to personal attacks."</p>
<p>Please see above links. I've provided this information, you have not. Way to be a hypocrite!</p>