<p>You really have to decide what your priorities are. If it's med school (and you are sure you want to leave Cornell), probably the best bet for a student with Ivy caliber stats is a mid-range state school. You'll be at the top of your class. You'll get more research opportunities than the average student at an Ivy or JHU. You'll get more mentoring. People will recognize you as a top student, and will go to bat for you. You'll be a star! And you'll have some money for medical school. </p>
<p>No matter where you go to school, 50% of the students will be in the bottom half of their class. </p>
<p>The reason places like Hope do so well is because of the large number of undergraduate research opportunities, the push for peer-reviewed publication, and the mentoring that takes place. If, as the "average" student at a more prestigious institution you can find that, go for it.</p>
<p>If you really don't like Cornell, you really should leave. No sense in taking up the place of a student who would give her eyeteeth to be there.</p>
<p>hi parents, thanks for all of the time you guys have spent on this issue. I would like to reitterate a few things. I was a very happy kid until I came to Cornell, my parents can assert that as well. This is all changed when I came to Cornell and I wouldn't say I became depressed. It is just that my spirits diminished a bit and I just didn't feel that happy anymore. At Cornell, there was nothing to look forward to. When you guys ask me why I want to transfer, I list all of these reasons (that seem superficial to all of you guys), but I feel that they are responsibile for why I am not happy. Therefore, if I am unhappy, I should try to change something, right? From what all of you parents have been telling me is that my reasons are flawed, all I care about is prestige. You guys really have misjudged me. I keep thinking of valid reasons, and keep getting criticized for them. Maybe I should have substituted the name Cornell University for Cornell College at the top, and maybe, I would have gotten more encouraging advice. When I started this thread, I was hoping for someone to tell me if they thought I would be served any better by going to a place like Penn, Brown, or Columbia in a multitude of ways, career opportunities, academics, and socially. From what I gather, you guys for the most part, have berated me for wanting to leave an ivy league school for perhaps a more "prestigious" name. What is so wrong with that? If I am unhappy at Cornell, perhaps, I will be happier at one of these other schools. Trust me, I have heard some advice that I should go to a midrange state school or go lower down the chart. That is absolutely the opposite that I hope to accomplish. That will only create a less stimulating environment for me, and my paernts for one thing would never allow me to do that. I have heard of so many students from Cornell, successfully transfering from Cornell to UPenn, to Harvard, to Columbia, to Brown, to Dartmouth, to Duke. Obviously, they were unhappy as well, and they decided to change things. Thanks again, but I hope that you guys understand my situation a little better now. In addition, the main reason why I want to transfer is b/c I have been trully unhappy at Cornell. I have engaged in club activities, intramurals, and have made some nice connections. Nonetheless, I still have been unhappy. I list the weather and cornell's isolating location as reasons, but they aren't the most important ones. I am not exactly sure what it is--I think it really has to do with the fact that I just don't like the environment at Cornell. I feel like it doesn't resonate well with the type of person I am.</p>
<p>I think this has become a cautionary saga for any parent who tries to "pressure" their kid in choosing a school that the parent thinks is the right choice. Afan- I absolutely agree with you, some of us may sound a bit harsh, but I have been reading these posts since Oct. on the Cornell site. I thought his unhappiness started after he got to Cornell. I didn't realize until yesterday that he was unhappy with Cornell even before he came to campus. It does seem that his parents may have "vigorously pursuaded" him to go to Cornell and he may not have been happy with that decision. At first I thought Cornell was decided upon for financial reasons as Cornell tuition can be substantially less for NYS residents and he said there were other siblings with college expenses and large medical bills in his family-- but somehow this kid "pursuaded" his parents to pay full sticker price as he switched into the College of Arts and Sciences after his acceptance in April. Mini- just a reminder about Research Opportunities. This kid was awarded a "Presidential Scholar" (I think that is what it is called) designation on his acceptance to Cornell. He was 1 of 40 freshmen given the honor to do research on a topic (of his choice, I think) with Cornell professors. Based on previous comments on the Cornell board- he thought it would be too much work so it doesn't sound like he took advantage of it (maybe he has by now) So I do not think he is looking for a smaller environment with more research opportunities. So what I have learned from all of this is-- that I'm not making the final decision on what school d # 2 attends- because if she ain't happy there- We, as her parents, are not going to be happy either. We used our influence on helping her choose what schools she should apply to based on major, finances, distance and other criteria. But at this stage- the decision is (mostly) hers. Good luck to us all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!</p>
<p>Hi BBall- you posted after I hit the send button- By all means- if you are unhappy, and trust me a lot of kids find themselves at the wrong school, then it is time to move on and look elsewhere. But please do not make the same mistake twice. I do not know where you live in NYS- have you seen Columbia- It is a true urban campus on Bway and 116th St. Some kids love it others do not. So please visit the campuses you are considering- talk to the Admissions Rep. see if they will reopen your application from last year to those schools in which you were admitted. As long as you are true to yourself, you'll do fine . Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I don't think there is anything wrong with transferring, and I think most of the people who've posted on this thread would agree. But I also think what most of us are trying to say is that Bball should try to evaluate what he LIKES and DISLIKES about Cornell before making the decision to leave. As I said, there are pro's and con's, risks and benefits, losses and gains, in every decision. Good luck Bball!</p>
<p>ru kidding me, I swear on my life that I am a presidential research scholar, do u want me to scan in my certificate that I brought home with me, so I can send that with my transfer applications? I will gladly do that for you. Being a presidential research scholar doesn't mean that I had the best stats as a freshman, but I won a few big time prestigious science competitions. Wow, you think I would lie about that. I have been posting my chances on multiple threads, why would I include that, if it wasn't true. It would only hurt me by giving me false chance, b/c I know that it will probably help me out. Thanks for offending me. Wow, some parents....</p>
<p>I would only mention it on your transfer application if you actually do a Research Project. "Prestigious" Schools will not take kindly to a Cornell student who throws this marvelous opportunity away.
Originaloog--Congratulations- We both just hit 400 posts!!!</p>
<p>Much of the advice is falling of deaf ears...</p>
<p>bball...you are drawing these negative comments as a response to your specific postings. Instead of re-posting the question; ie fishing for compliments and the answers you want to see-- take the responses on board and question yourself. Why do my comments irritate people?</p>
<p>It is tough to read social cues on the net, but you are not reading social cues correctly friend. You seem to be (unwittingly?) projecting an arrogant, hyper-competitive, envious persona. That sort of persona is quite unusual for a CC kid, frankly. Those qualities make it hard to empathize. It would be worth discussing with a professional.</p>
<p>I think you nailed it. The OP's dissatisfaction with Cornell seemed to stem mostly from his B+ in biology and his "lowly" 3.6 GPA. The other factors mentioned just seem to be rationalization to make the transfer motivation seem more palatable for the responders. </p>
<p>I agree that he needs to do some soul searching before making any final decisions. I do wish him well.</p>
<p>bball, you can walk away from a fight as long as the fight isn't with yourself. I cannot tell if your problem is with Cornell, your parents or internal. Transfer if you want, but if you get some more of the same old...consider dealing with your problems at a different level. </p>
<p>I love Cornell; I used to tell my kids, I don't care what college you go to, as long as its at Cornell. Neither of my kids ever applied there. At college, had close friends from Italy, Asia, Africa, France and exotic places like New Jersey, so I don't know that you will find a place with a better world view. The Ag school had their fingers in almost every country on the globe. Carl Sagan was taking Cornell into other galaxies and there were brilliant guest lecturers on campus every week.</p>
<p>Sorry you can't find joy their, I hope you have been learning a lot. Good luck.</p>
<p>You mentioned that you are considering Rice. Be aware that Rice, while it is a wonderful university, also has grade deflation. It is very hard to get A's in the sciences and engineering. One of the top students from our local high school is a freshman this year and got two B's this semester, for the first time in her life.</p>
<p>i actually am starting a research project next semester, and i have a faculty mentor. I just have one last question, what is a rational reason to transfer from a top tier to another top tier school? You guys all seem to think there is no reason to justify this, and yet it happens all of the time.</p>
<p>I got accepted to Rice as a freshman, its a fabulous school, I just never considered it as it was really far away. I heard that the students are brilliant and the students are really passionate and interesting.</p>
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what is a rational reason to transfer from a top tier to another top tier school?
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<p>I have read every posting on this topic ad held my piece. I am sorry that you seem to be so unhappy at Cornell, but you need to ask your self if you have really given the school a chance. Since it really has not been your choice, I think you went there with a bias because it wasn't your choice, and this bias has turned into a self fulfilling prophesy.</p>
<p>You my dear have just asked the $64,000 question.</p>
<p>You will have to come up with something better than the pat bandstand rate a record answer of "I like the beat and it's easy to dance to." </p>
<p>Usually a student that transfers simply does not state; it's cold, I got a B+ and 3.6 gpa, there is grade deflation or my parents made me go but a true reason as to why they want to study at ___________ U.</p>
<p>We have come full circle because this is the question that most of the parents have been asking you?</p>
<p>well, i think i would be happier at Columbia, it is in a city, I just noticed a more intellectual vibe there (and this is not to say that students at cornell are not intellectuals, but there is just a different feeling). I think I would benefit tremendously from a college experience at Columbia, so much culture and a vibrant city to take advantage of. This is something that I don't have at Cornell. I think it would be a great change. I am now into political science, and I know that Columbia has one of the best department in the world.</p>
<p>Well, go ahead and give Columbia a shot. But, as I noted, they accept less than 9% of their transfer applicants so it is going to be a long shot.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if wanting "one of the best political science departments in the world" is one of your primary reasons for transferring, I'm surprised you're not also considering schools like Georgetown, George Washington, and Claremont McKenna in addition to Columbia. </p>
<p>You are beginning to show reasons why it is academically and personally beneficial for you to transfer to Columbia. You better research the school more though because I believe they have a strict core curriculum. I do not know how that affects transfer students. That may also come into play when comparing Columbia, U Penn and others. Good luck.</p>
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well, i think i would be happier at Columbia, it is in a city, I just noticed a more intellectual vibe there (and this is not to say that students at cornell are not intellectuals, but there is just a different feeling). I think I would benefit tremendously from a college experience at Columbia, so much culture and a vibrant city to take advantage of. This is something that I don't have at Cornell. I think it would be a great change. I am now into political science, and I know that Columbia has one of the best department in the world.
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<p>What I get from all that, stripped of all the "begging the question" and "vibe" stuff, is:</p>
<p>You want a top tier school with a top poly sci department in a city. </p>
<p>So, if you really want those things and are not just rationalizing, then you can't get that at Cornell because Cornell is neither in nor near a major city. </p>
<p>Are you sure about the poly sci thing? You've only been in college one semester. You could change your mind again. It happens.</p>
<p>Are you sure about the city thing? How much time have you spent NYC? It's a great place, I grew up right outside there on the other side of the GW bridge. After spending four days and four nights in Manhattan, though, I discovered that for me, it was a great place to visit but I would hate to live there. Being able to escape the suburbs made NYC much more attractive. Your mileage, of course, will vary. So if you haven't already done so, you should spend some overnight time in NYC before leaving Cornell. Two days and one night visiting is a far cry from being in one of the busiest, noisiest and most expensive places in the world for months at a stretch. People love it, don't get me wrong. Just be sure you are one of them before moving there.</p>