Northwestern or Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I have narrowed my choices down to these two great schools, and am wondering which one I should choose. My dream would be to hold some executive/business position in the Sports industry (perhaps meaning that I should pursue an econ degree? I don't know...), but I also have interest in and am considering the medical field. I am really struggling between these two schools, and would like some advice as to which one would cater to my profile better.</p>

<p>As an fyi, I am from NYC. Also, I'm really into sports, want to have a good time in college both socially and academically, etc.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Well if social life, the “college experience”, and sports are a concern (as they should be), seems like a no brainer… no?</p>

<p>I would not be surprised to see NU basketball in the NCAA tournament and NU football in a major bowl for the class of 2015.</p>

<p>And considering that academcially, NU gets the nod as well… i guess Im just not sure why the dilema?</p>

3

<p>I guess there’s a slight dilemma as some people claim that Cornell has among the best undergraduate experiences and really good medical programs… also, it’s a lot closer to home which helps transportation-wise… sorry but I feel so torn haha</p>

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<p>What hinsdale said, I can’t disagree with it. This seems obvious.</p>

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<p>Medical school admission will not be effected by whether you attend NU or Cornell. </p>

<p>Undegraduate experiece is difficult to rate because it’s so subjective. You prefer being in the middle of nowhere OR at a Big Ten school with major sports programs, vibrant Greek scene, gorgeous lakefront campus with private beaches and minutes to a world renowned city?</p>

6

<p>DS attended NU and was waitlisted to Cornell. Many of his friends went to Cornell. At first, DS was disappointed he didn’t get to go to college with friends but that feeling disappeared quickly after getting to NU. </p>

<p>He loved NU. Just loved it there. He often told me that he had a better college experience and more of a life outside of studying than his friends at Cornell. No differences between the two universities when it came to post graduate work and jobs from what he can see among his friends. </p>

<p>I have been to Ithaca and the Cornell campus many times. Yes it is a beautiful campus but NU is very nice too. Evanston beats Ithaca hands down. No comparison at all between the two towns. Plus Chicago is a short ride away and there is nothing at all near Cornell. It is hard to travel in and out of Cornell too depending upon where you live in NY state. Chicago Midway airport is great for traveling back and forth. </p>

<p>Plenty of sports at NU and not so much at Cornell. Cornell does have hockey though. No gym requirement at NU like there is at Cornell. </p>

<p>DS has no regrets about NU. He said if he had to do it over again and had to pick between Cornell and NU, NU would always win. </p>

<p>Good Luck with your decision. You can’t really go wrong with either one.</p>

7

<p>FYI, I know 2 NU alums who started their own sports management firms. And of course there’s Joe Girardi.</p>

8

<p>I have to disagree with Mom2boys - I think there are many similarities with the two schools. First, they both have crummy weather! Now some others:</p>

<p>Although Cornell may be in the “middle of nowhere” it’s student population is heavy northeast and metro NY as opposed to NU which is midwest in location and population. As my daughter discovered, once your outside of Chicago, your in the midwest. It took her a few months to stop “interrupting” her friends because she thought they were done speaking when in actuality they were just speaking that slowly between thoughts! Just a different pace than New Yorkers!</p>

<p>Evanston and Collegetown/Ithaca are pretty similar - both basically exist because of the students. Both are within walking distance from campus, both have a plethora of shops and restaurants. Ithaca has more “mom and pop” shops and restaurants and fewer mall store chains (although that is increasing), Evanston has more mall stores and restaurants. Both have ample off campus housing within walking distance. Both have a very large Greek life.</p>

<p>NU has the lake and beach right on campus, Cornell has the gorges on campus and you have a short drive to the lake and beach. Cornell has a great hockey team and great intramurals, don’t know about the NU intramurals, but the sports are Division I. I don’t remember what it’s called now but Ithaca College has a very well respected sports management program and you could take some classes over there to see if it’s something you really want to pursue, as well as one of the top sports trainer major and physical therapy major. Not sure about NU.</p>

<p>Cornell is about a 4 hour drive from NY, Evanston is a fairly quick and frequent 2 hour plane ride but door to door it’s probably about the same 4 hours depending on traffic and where in NYC you live. NU is also Central time, Cornell is Eastern.</p>

<p>Cornell is much larger both in number of students and size of campus, NU is a more reasonable both number of students and size of campus IMHO.</p>

<p>Oh, and the NU is near Chicago is a bit overrated given that most kids might go into Chicago 3 or 4 times a year. My daughter goes in at least once a week for a class, more often if she’s in a show but that’s the exception.</p>

<p>You’ve got two great choices and really can’t go wrong with either. My daughter hated Cornell the moment we got out of the car, too big all over. You really need to visit them both and see which one feels right to you.</p>

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<p>Both great schools, but I highly recommend a visit before deciding. Which colleges did you get into at NU and Cornell?</p>

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<p>Thanks for your responses everyone! especially for your thorough one, amtc.</p>

<p>And the colleges are Weinberg and CAS for NU and Cornell, respectively.</p>

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<p>I am in the same dilemma as you… And sadly I will not be able to pay a visit to each school as I am a foreign student. But Northwestern means more to me somehow; I did not feel the same excitement and delight at receiving the Cornell offer as when I got NU offer. Don’t know, I am still deciding between both.</p>

12

<p>^Agree. NU applicants and students I read tend to regard this university as the top rung of the academic ladder, not something they settle for. IMO, Northwestern has confidence in it’s place as one of the top schools in the world, and it shows to those who visit or study.</p>

13

<p>Yeah, I feel exactly the same, fcr590.</p>

<p>I’ll decide in a week or so!</p>

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<p>“Oh, and the NU is near Chicago is a bit overrated given that most kids might go into Chicago 3 or 4 times a year. My daughter goes in at least once a week for a class, more often if she’s in a show but that’s the exception.”</p>

<p>It’s an easy L train ride right into the loop. NU’s location near Chicago is one of it’s greatest strengths. I guarantee you that the “average” student goes into the city more than 3-4 time/year…</p>

15

<p>My friends and I went to Chicago a lot for food. The loop may be kinda far but the North Side neighborhoods are much closer. Argyle (where you get authentic Asian food) is only couple miles south of Evanston. Lakeview is a very vibrant neighborhood with tons of restaurants and it’s only 8 miles south of Evanston. If you have a car, it takes only 25 mins to get there. Basically, if you don’t have crazy workload, you can go to Chicago pretty often if you want.</p>

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<p>I usually go 3 times a week. I have a bunch of friends in the law and med schools so sometimes we study together in the downtown campus (the law and med libraries are open to all NU students, including undergrads, all year except during finals weeks) or a location nearby. I just take the intercampus there, which is really convenient since there are so many places to study around there. I often take study breaks to stroll around the Magnificent Mile (I do this even when it’s freezing cold outside!) to re-energize myself. Then I just take the intercampus back to Evanston :).</p>