<p>I'm having a major dilemna over whether to attend Cornell University or the University of Delaware come next fall. Money has been a big issue for a long time with my family, but I would be attending Cornell's School of Human Ecology (land grant school) and therefore the cost wouldn't be as steep. So, at this point, money isn't that big of a factor. I received the DuPont Scholarship from the University of Delaware Honors Program, meaning I received a full ride (covers tuition, room and board, etc.) and would not be paying a dime for college. Is it better for me to be shining star at Delaware Honors or graduating from that Ivy League? I know I need to stand out and I want research opportunities. I know that Delaware would take a special interest in me, as a DuPont Scholarship winner and that my opportunities would be vast.</p>
<p>I want to have fun in school! So, just as a side note, it would be nice if someone talked about that in their post. Which school is more fun/school spirited/party hard?</p>
<p>Getting into medical school is extremely important to me. At either university I would be going in as a nutritional science major, with a possible minor in English. I eventually would like to become a pediatric endocrinologist and nutritional science seemed like a really interesting major to study as an undergraduate. I'm a little worried about the workload at Cornell University and its reputation implies an inability to maintain that 4.0 average. I really just need to know! At which school would I have better prospects of getting into a great medical school after the next four years? What looks better: graduating from Cornell or a full ride at University of Delaware Honors?</p>
<p>1.) Honors doesn't matter; money might.
2.) Don't major in nutrition.
3.) Barely graduating from Cornell is worse than being the valedictorian at Delaware. That is unlikely to be the scenario you are actually facing.</p>
<p>I'm interested. What do you think is wrong with a nutrition major? I thought honors programs at respectable schools are comparable to attending the "great" universities?!</p>
<p>1.) It's a health science; better to have a more academic major (biology, in this case, would be the equivalent).
2.) That's what honors colleges tell you. In any case, name brand of university isn't all that important. But if it were, that would be a false claim.</p>
<p>Sorry, just read the part where you said money won't be a factor.</p>
<p>My thoughts:</p>
<ol>
<li>If the only thing you like about Cornell is that it's an Ivy League university, don't come to Cornell.</li>
<li>If the only apprehension you have about Cornell is the GPA issue, then don't worry. Cornell isn't that hard.</li>
<li>All things being equal or semi-close to equal, go to Cornell.</li>
</ol>
<p>Agree with NCG's statement that if the only reason you want to go to an ivy is for the name, you would be better suited elsewhere. The two schools you're choosing between are VASTLY different, but if one of your major concerns is going somewhere where you can party hard, odds are you're not really suited for premed (not saying that you can't have a social life or party, but priorities need to be put in order).</p>
<p>I am a big fan of the idea that the calibur of the students you're around makes a huge difference in the quality of education you receive and you're own motivation, and I think it would be naive to think you would be among the same types of students at the two schools, even in the honors college at a less-than premiere state school. The name itself will not make much of a difference when it comes time to apply to med school, but the culture of the schools I believe will have a great deal to do with whether or not you even apply in the first place.</p>
<p>You are clearly a person with much promise and I am sure you will do well regardless of where you go. Delaware's medical scholars program is probably a real choice given your desire to get into medical school. If you are admitted after your sophomore year, you are guaranteed entry to Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia if you maintain a 3.5 index and a 3.5 or better in the pre-med courses (including organic chem.) Check it out and good luck.</p>
<p>Hello! Its two years later and I am in the same exact position as you. I am so torn between Cornell human ecology, and UDel Honors on a full scholarship. I too would like to attend medical school and pretty much have the same concerns you did. I am curious as to what decision you ended up making? Could you elaborate on whether you thought it was the right one and for what reasons? I would really love some advice and guidance on what decision to make!</p>
<p>I’d go with where you will feel more comfortable. If you want to have some fun I am sure you can find that in both schools, but ultimately it’s up to you where you find your niche. In regards to getting into medical school, I think both will adequately prepare you for admission to medical school.</p>
<p>Med school is very expensive;graduating debt free should not be taken lightly.</p>
<p>Most people don’t consider those who go to the land grant part of Cornell the same way they do those at the true Ivy part of Cornell; admission standards are quite different. </p>
<p>My vote says take the Honors program and money from Delaware.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that there have been 6 suicides at Cornell this academic year according to CNN.</p>
<p>I don’t know whether this is any indication of the atmosphere at Cornell, so take my words with a grain of salt. An opposite would be that there might be a slightly better atmosphere with Cornell’s run in the NCAA. </p>
<p>Evan, congrats on your U Dell scholarship! You should PM curmudgeon, whose D 4 years ago was accepted at Yale UG, but decided to go to Rhodes college on a full ride, with offered her fantastic research opportunities and support. She just was accepted again at Yale again, but this time by Yale med school. I’m sure he would be happy to help you out.
You may want to post a request for guidance on the med school forum, as I know he hangs out there sometimes.</p>
<p>You are right in that state schools treat their academic stars very nicely, lots of opportunites. I do not know when you are planning to party hard though, looks like pre-meds time is streatched to the limits without partying hard.</p>
<p>Like curmudgeon’s D, my S turned down Yale six years ago to accept a Morehead Scholarship at UNC. He is now completing his second year of med school.</p>
<p>He graduated debt free which puts him at a significant advantage over many of his med school classmate who came in with heavy undergrad debt and are now piling even more expensive med school debt on top of it.</p>
<p>As I posted earlier, med school is VERY expensive…take the money and Honors from Delaware and run…</p>
<p>As someone facing graduation and student loans, my vote is go with the cheaper option unless you really think you’d be happier at cornell. Graduating without debt is pretty sweet, and not having to worry about living expenses is also awesome. Of course, if you fell in love with Cornell and not so much with Delaware, maybe the $$ would be worth it to you, but I know a few people who chose the free ride over the big name and none of them regret it.</p>
<p>I’m watching a lot of friends (try to) enter the work force or apply to grad/med/law/ school, and the ones who have been successful are the ones who spent their 4 years doing interesting/productive things, regardless of the school they went to. If you go to Delaware, you’ll do well down the line as long as you utilize the opportunities and stay motivated as far as grades/extracurriculars/etc.</p>
<p>Six years ago (gee, was it that long ago?) my D turned down a full ride from a major state U to attend U. Chicago with no fin aid. It was the best move the family ever made. She thrived in Chicago’s atmosphere in a way she would have not at the state U. </p>
<p>I remember well when she asked me after winning the full ride if that meant she would be one of the smartest kids in the class. Given that the full ride was based on the application, a separate all day exam and an interview, I had to say yes. (and, as an alum of the same place, I confirmed this with my old adviser). She realized she would have been somewhat isolated intellectually and socially, and made her decision. </p>
<p>So let us not neglect the importance of fit. While many kids will thrive most anywhere, some won’t.</p>