I need some HONEST input!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Ok, so I know this is a Cornell forum, and Cornell is still my first choice for college...</p>

<p>BUT some things have been swaying my mind a little...</p>

<p>I kind of want to go to Stanford (considering I make it in), I think it will be safer to apply EA for Stanford as it is non-binding, but I also feel that if I don't apply ED to ILR, I'll be missing out on the "slightly-higher" admissions rate...</p>

<p>Another thing is: if I do make it in to Stanford, I don't know what to study... (math is my weakness and I think ILR is suitable because it's less quantitative than most majors; from what i know stat is the ONLY thing required in 4 years worth of college)</p>

<p>Stanford has nice weather (big fan of that), I've spent my HS years in NYC and that was not the most pleasant thing (when winter came around), but I would not deny a school based on weather alone..</p>

<p>Finally, I want to mention.. I want to save as much $$ as I can to get out as debt-free as possible because even though I major in something, my first and most passionate passion is AVIATION. I know cornell has an airport and I've visited both the cornell campus and the nearby small airport, and as some may know, flying is expensive (goal is to become an airline pilot and work into airline management/negotiations after some years, etc). That is why I feel ILR will be beneficial to me.</p>

<p>Contrary to what many believe, airline pilot's DO NOT earn six figures at the beginning... ALL regional airline pilot's start at around 20k average... I'll be qualifying for FOOD STAMPS and barely able to feed myself lol, so hence the reason why I want to get a GOOD education as debt free as possible!)</p>

<p>Then as I mentioned before, stanford offers GENEROUS financial aid, so I'll end up paying approximately 18k per year, and at cornell, I'll have to dish out about 30k....</p>

<p>But then again, I want to have an enjoyable college life, (not too math oriented :P), but also reach my goals in as debt-free a fashion as i can!</p>

<p>Sorry for the HUGE PLETHORA of thoughts spilled out on paper, but can everyone give me some advice?!</p>

2

<p>ILR for aviation?? err…</p>

3

<p>As I said before, I’m planning to move on to management/labor negotiations in the aviation industry. Is there something wrong with that?</p>

4

<p>I think Cornell has a policy of matching whatever aid Stanford and some other schools offer. I’m not too certain, though.</p>

<p>As for ILR, that would definitely be the right fit considering your interests.</p>

5

<p>If it was me I would go with Texas A&M. The out of state tuition is only $20k yearly and they have lots of graduates that get jobs flying shuttle or pipeline with oil and gas companies.</p>

<p>At any rate i think it is very wise of you to choose to get a bachelors, not everyone feels the same way about flying after 5 or so years flying some small regional for a little over minimum wage. You are also going to face stiff competition with the surplus military pilots coming home, but I guess you are already prepared for that.</p>

6

<p>Thanks BowTieFratty, I am prepared! Are you a pilot, just wondering?</p>

<p>The only thing is:</p>

<p>(I don’t want to sound “prejudiced” in any way, but coming from a REALLY asian family and all, they would think Texas A&M is some “no-name” school…)</p>

<p>I think ILR is my best choice thus far; it provides me with the best opportunities in case I fail my medical or something unexpected happens in the future causing me to lose my aviation job (flying). I would most likely work for a few years after Cornell to pay off my debt as much as I can while earning some “survival money” for my times in the regionals.</p>