<p>Too bad I didn't get schools which would sound like a Supreme Court case (Brown v. Stanford).</p>
<p>Basically I've come down to deciding between Northwestern and Cornell. I'm looking to do a Chemistry major and Pre-Med with possibly a physics/biology or math minor.</p>
<p>But I really can't decide between the two. I've visited Northwestern but not Cornell, but I'll give Cornell the benefit of the doubt with campus wise. My parents are also pressuring me to go to Cornell but I'm really not certain. One thing that draws me to Northwestern though more so than Cornell is that it's just more convenient to get there, the more suburban environment, and the fact that it does have that MENU program which I would do if I go. The reason to go to Cornell would just be somewhat more for name, and possibly campus.</p>
<p>Can anyone convince me one way or another?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>/Edit: I don't need any type of financial aide and money isn't a big factor, if any.</p>
<p>Don't go just for the name for goodness sake! It's not worth it. Go to Northwestern. I hear the quality of life is higher and the environment is more relaxed.</p>
<p>Well, the main concern is still getting into grad school after that, and my parents want me to go to Cornell because they believe that if I'm successful at both schools, then I have a better chance to go to a good grad school (or rather, Ivy grad school).</p>
<p>Ok then do that. I'm sure you would have no problems getting into grad school from Northwestern, however. I know practically nothing about either school, that's just the general gist I get from reading posts on this forum.</p>
<p>you posted in the wrong forum. but, i will try to help you.</p>
<p>Since you say you haven't visited cornell, i encourage you to do so. making a decision like this w/o visiting the school, imo, is a very risky business. But, as a Cornell student, I think that Cornell is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country, only behind Stanford in that respect. (and i have visited tons of schools.)</p>
<p>Plus, you should consider which school you feel more comfortable at. Being a premed, your gpa and success is largely contingent on your level of comfort and satisfaction with the college of your choice. No one can answer which school is absolutely better for you, since only you know your own tastes, etc. And, Cornell offers one of the best educations to undergrads both socially and academically, offering so many opportunities for research, breath of courses, and academic advising. Cornell is also considered to be one of the most social schools that are ranked within top 20, and its Greek system is like 2nd largest in the country. But, NU is a fantastic school as well and I sincerely encourage you to make your decision after visiting all the schools and go by which one you like the most.</p>
<p>CORNELL all the way. I had an informal interview (more of a meeting so i could ask any questions i had about the school, not formal) with a 5th generation Cornellian class of 1997. </p>
<p>OMG OMG OMG after talking to him i REALLY wanted to go there. Got rejected...</p>
<p>Keep this in mind. Tougher applicant pool means you will ALWAYS be pushed to work hard. Being around such brilliant kids is something that can help you in a good way. Plus you get to brag about going to ivy school @!</p>
<p>^I don't get what you meant by "tougher applicant pool". They are of the same caliber (actually NU SAT average is higher). </p>
<p>OP,
Grad schools' adcom know the two are very comparable and your GPA, research experience (NU has tons of opportunities for that, just like Cornell), teachers' recommendation, and GRE score are the main factors, not whether you came from Cornell or NU. NU is also ranked higher than Cornell in WSJ feeder school ranking if this makes you feel better. I'd suggest you to choose based on fit.</p>
<p>One big thing that I keep beating myself up over is the fact that I was too freakin' lazy to complete my ISP application for NU because they needed one more SAT II in Science, but I had already taken 4 other SAT IIs. Also I completely MISSED the HPME application and had I gotten either, NU would be a definite choice and there'd be no question even in this matter.</p>
<p>not to say that u would've been rejected from HPME, but I personally don't know of anyone who got into that program, out of like 100 NU students that I know and other hundreds of formal NU applicants. Last year, my school's val, who got into Princeton and MIT, got rejected from that program. It is ridiculously hard to get into. (just like any other med school program)</p>
<p>Also, perhaps your parents don't know this but grad school people would know: they tie in US News graduate chemistry ranking (9th). </p>
<p>The subfield rankings look like this:
Analytical: both are >10th
Biochemistry: both are >10th
Inorganic: NU 3rd, Cornell 9th
Organic: both are >10th
Physical: NU 8th, Cornell >10th
Theoretical: NU 3rd, Cornell >10th</p>
<p>This shows as far as graduate ranking goes, NU is as good as Cornell, if not better in chemistry. Cornell is more known for "science" and hence there seems to be a myth that Cornell's chemistry is stronger but to those in the knows, that's not the case. Cornell is ranked higher in bio/phys though.</p>
<p>Haha yeah I saw that a while ago actually (the USNews Chem rank), so I wasn't really worried about that. Umm, about the HPME situation, I was fairly certain I wouldn't get in, but hey, a shot's a shot... </p>
<p>Right now the problem is is that there's not one specific thing which is making me extremely favor one school over the other, and I was hoping someone could possibly tell me something that would tip that balance to one side or something of the sort.</p>
<p>ugh, I fear that you are willing to make your college decision solely based on some opinions on this board. The key is choosing the college that fits you better. For some, NU will be a better fit. For others, Cornell. Academically, they are roughly equal and you should be able to find equal academic opportunities. the question is, which school would you find yourself happier at?</p>
<p>IMHO, these schools are close peers. The biggest difference, and it's a big one, is whether you want to be a commuter train away from a great city or in a place of natural beauty without urban resources.</p>
<p>Choose the school that best fits your overall needs. Don't choose a school based upon what your parents want. Northwestern and Cornell are peer schools. They are both excellent. It comes down to this: Do you want an urban or rural environment? Quality of life and location are very important.</p>
<p>Also, if you're big on sports, NU has a much bigger sports culture, and if you're big on theater, NU has a much bigger theater culture (than Cornell). Cornell is one of the few schools that can claim an even worse winter than NU, so weather is basically a non-factor one way or the other. It should also be noted that NU's medical school and hospital are easily accessible from Northwestern (potential for internships?), whereas Cornell's is based in NYC (quite a drive from Ithaca).</p>