Hi guys so I was luck enough to get into Michigan and Cornell (waitlist) and I have to choose quickly. I got into the most basic liberal arts program at both schools because I’m not sure what I want to study. I was accepted January 2018 admission to Cornell which is a little iffy because it seems like it will be harder to make friends. I know cornell is a little more prestigious but also very rigorous. I want to rush but michigans frat life is a little intimidating. Ann Arbor is supposed to be amazing compared to Ithaca where there isn’t much to do. Any suggestions at all? Anything would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
Michigan is perfect for undecided students since it is ranked highly in every field. Ann Arbor is an amazing college town, and there’s lot of spirit and Greek life is really good. If you are in-state, go to Michigan. Also, Cornell is known to be one of the most stressful colleges in the country whereas Umich has more of the work hard play hard atmosphere with great spirit, Big 10 sports, and stellar academics. Cornell was actually founded by Umich alumni so both schools are very similar. Michigan has a very strong, big alumni network spread across the country and the world and it has a large (44%) out of state population. I live 30 minutes from Ann Arbor and there is so much stuff to do there including nature that Ithaca has. I might be a little biased since I’m going to Michigan, but everyone I know at Michigan loves it there. Michigan was ranked #2 for best student life on Niche. Don’t just go to Cornell because it’s an Ivy League. Make a pro/con list and go with your gut feeling at where you will be happiest your 4 years, since both schools are about the same academic level.
FWIW:
- Cornell is not “known” to be that. It is “rumored” to be that. It is challenging, as many top schools are likely to be.
My D2 transferred to it from elsewhere, not “known” for same, and said that the work demands were the same as at her prior school. There is a CC mod who attended both universities and has posted to the effect that the work demands were essentially the same. Actually “work hard play hard” is the best descriptor for Cornell’s environment.
- The people most responsible for the founding of Cornell were Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. At the time they were both members of the New York State senate.
Ezra Cornell did not himself attend college. He was a telegraph industry magnate.
Andrew Dickson White was a graduate of Yale. He was a businessman from Syracuse before he ran for the senate. Prior to moving to Syracuse, he had been on faculty at U Michigan for just five years. As far as I know that is the only connection.
I agree with @monydad. Yes, Cornell will be rigorous, as are all top schools, but it isn’t any more stressful than any other top 20 school. Also it largely depends on what your major will be. For instance, engineering and pre-med will be extremely intense whereas ILR and Hotel administration will be less so.
Cornell’s Greek life might be perfect for you since you get ton experience it but it is not as intense as UMich. Cornell has a decent social scene but Umich definitely has a more lively one. Also Ann Arbor is a better location than Ithaca.
Are the costs similar? If you are in state for Umich, I suggest you go there unless you got a great FA package from Cornell. If costs are similar, Cornell for sure. If you don’t like it, you can easily transfer to Umich but the other way around will be a lot harder.
Also I think you will be fine even if you enter in January 2018. I know people that have transferred for spring admission and transitioned well.
What is true is that a lot of Cornell’s presidents have come from U Michigan. Which implies to me that the schools are administratively similar.
These are some of the differences:
-Cornell has about half (? or whatever) the enrollment, though that is still plenty large.
-FWIW where I’m from (NYC suburbs) Cornell is a little tougher admit.
-Michigan is easier to fly into, if you have to fly.
-Ann Arbor is bigger than Ithaca, and is easier to “use” since the campus essentially flows into it. Collegetown flows into Cornell somewhat similarly, but downtown Ithaca is down a steep hill from Cornell.
Underclassmen spend most of their time around campus and Collegetown, and generally have enough to do.
-I imagine Cornell has higher % representation from the Northeast and especially New York.
While Michigan likely has higher % Midwest and Michigan proper, though East coast is likely well represented too. This may affect where your friends might come from. Or may not.
-Cornell has sports, and there is a contingent of students that are into them. Particularly for hockey, when I attended, don’t know about now. However it does not have a “shut down the campus for football games” mentality. So that may be a difference in campus culture.
“Are the costs similar? If you are in state for Umich, I suggest you go there unless you got a great FA package from Cornell. If costs are similar, Cornell for sure. If you don’t like it, you can easily transfer to Umich but the other way around will be a lot harder.”
You aren’t going to easily transfer to Umich.
@wayneandgarth Umich’s transfer acceptance rate is almost 40%. Granted a large portion are CC kids from Umich with transfer agreements with UMich, but I know plenty of oos kids who also got into umich. Regardless, it is still harder to get into Cornell as a transfer than Michigan. Doesn’t mean Michigan is a cakewalk.
OP clearly has the grades to get into both schools, but Cornell’s admission rounds are more competitive.
Both are obviously great schools. Cornell and Michigan have a lot in common. Large engineering programs, nice college towns, attractive, large campus environments. Both are elite without being elitist. Cornell is the NYS land grant college, and has a large NY/NJ enrollment. about half the students at Michigan are in state although there is a large east coast and Calif demographic as well. Cornell is more selective, if that matters to you. Michigan is more “fun” if that matters. The game day experience/school spirit at Michigan is the one area Cornell cannot match. As other posters have noted, the Michigan campus is in the heart of Ann Arbor, whereas Cornell is on a hill above Ithaca, so there is less of a connection for undergraduate students. You really can’t make a bad choice.
As monydad points out, many Cornell presidents have come from Michigan (either alumni or faculty). Starting with its co-founder/first president, Andrew Dickson White, to its current president, Martha Pollack, 7 of Cornell’s 14 presidents have had strong connections to Michigan. As such, it comes as no surprise that Cornell and Michigan are almost identical when it comes to academics, social life, prestige, selectivity, resources etc…
Go for the cheaper option, if that matters to you. If not, just go for fit.
"@wayneandgarth Umich’s transfer acceptance rate is almost 40%. Granted a large portion are CC kids from Umich with transfer agreements with UMich, but I know plenty of oos kids who also got into umich. Regardless, it is still harder to get into Cornell as a transfer than Michigan. Doesn’t mean Michigan is a cakewalk.
OP clearly has the grades to get into both schools, but Cornell’s admission rounds are more competitive."
Ok - so one who is OOS and previously turned down Michigan won’t “easily” be admitted as one of the 39% admitted. Easily was your word.
The OP should obviously view there is no turning back. Not that there should be a reason to.
My checklist:
Your program --> check the rankings of your intended major. Both are excellent for most areas
Air Transport -> Michigan is cheaper (DTW) and has non-stop flights almost everywhere. Cornell transfers through Detroit, Philly, Newark for Ithaca airport
Train/Megabus -> Michigan has bus/train service to Chicago. Cornell bus to NYC
Car Transport-> Parking is an issue at Michigan, less so at Cornell.
Fun-> Excellent D1 sports at Michigan. Limited sports at Cornell. Better student athletic facilities at Michigan. Both have good music, theater and other student priced activities.
Town-> Ann Arbor is a lot nicer and easier to get to.
Food -> A slight edge to Cornell, IMO. Both are pretty good for dorm food. Ann Arbor better for restaurants.
Dorms -> Not great in either, not awful either. Most are fairly old.
Greek Life-> More intense at Michigan. More partying in general.
Diversity -> More Asians at Cornell
Weather-> Cornell is colder, with more snow.
Good luck on your decision. Nice to have such great choices.
They are an awful lot alike. Have you visited both?
Congratulations. If cost is fairly close, choose based on fit – academic, environmental, social. They are both going to be very good overall and at any major you choose.
Choose based on fit! Both schools are academically strong (Cornell gets a a little bit of an edge, however), but the campus cultures and geographies are markedly different. I know people at Cornell who picked it over Michigan and people at Michigan you picked it over Cornell (although the former is probably more common than the latter).
What if someone got a full ride from Michigan but not as good a package from Cornell but still a merit scholarship. For CS which would you choose?
^Michigan.
I don’t think the 2 are very similar at all. Michigan is huge, has a huge campus, is in its own college town. Extremely international. Sports.
They are both very cold and well ranked. In that way they are similar.
My S chose it bc every program is highly ranked, so changing his mind would not impact him.
Go with your gut based on fit, or on cost. The prestige factor is negligible.
@Trishka: Two great universities. Congratulations !
To answer your question, it would help to know your COA (cost of attendance) at each school as well as your intended major.
Without more info., a full ride to Michigan is probably the safer choice.
Both are excellent. When it comes to academic quality, opportunities, graduate school/professional placement, resources, class size etc…, you will not see a significant difference between Cornell and Michigan. I would go for the cheaper option, and if cost is not a concern, I would go with fit.