Penn vs Cornell for $5000 cheaper. Would Penn match the offer?

<p>As the thread indicates, Cornell's financial aid is offering me $5000 more that can go toward oh I don't know--nice laptop, nice winter jacket, boots, mini-fridge etc. My family already has pretty tight financial circumstances.</p>

<p>I'm from Atlanta so distance is about the same, except Penn would just be a plane ride away, while Cornell would be a plane ride to Syracuse then a 1-hour drive to Ithaca every single time back and forth.</p>

<p>I'm in the College of Arts and Sciences at both schools. Prospective major is Economics at both, maybe PPE at Penn. I want to get into banking/consulting/finance after graduation (and during undergraduate years. internships are important for me).</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

<p>I would say Penn, for one while not in Wharton, you can take Wharton classes, and you could transfer if you wanted. Secondly, from what I have heard, Wharton brings in all the big banking companies, but other non-wharton students can interview as well, and end up with a job. So Penn seems like the better option.</p>

<p>Well the odds of transferring are next to impossible. I believe getting a single A- would jeopardize your chances. So I can’t rely on that. But I like what you say, and agree.</p>

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

<p>

So the difference isn’t really based on need, but want? If that’s the case, your chances of getting an offer matched are lower, especially if the school already saw that you didn’t need the extra.</p>

<p>Well it is based on need. My entire possibility of attending is based on the aid I receive, but there’s no way I can PROVE to them I can’t pay the extra $5000.</p>

<p>I’ve heard that ivy league schools will match the aid offered by another ivy. I may be wrong though.</p>

<p>They might be willing, give it a shot.
I believe you will receive a slightly better education at Penn, but be sure to take your social/living preference into account, not just the schools name. Penn is a very urban school, Cornell is remote</p>

<p>Definitely try to get them to match the offer. I know people with other offers from Ivies who got Penn to match them.</p>

<p>Although I have never visited either, I definitely like Penn better with regards to atmosphere/social/living preferences. Its just considering I’m attending both schools almost entirely based on finaid, $20,000 can go a long way…Thanks, I will try to match</p>

<p>If finances are tight, strongly consider Cornell- it is at least as strong academically and in a gorgeous setting.</p>

<p>but the location of philly = internships, experience, always something to do. am i right?</p>

<p>Penn matches your other offers. I told them about getting more aid from Cornell and Northwestern, and they raised my grant to a bit higher than the other schools’.</p>

<p>Did you have to fill out the application for reevaluation? It’s really in-depth…like monthly budgets for all expenses.</p>

<p>Or did you just email them Cornell’s award letter?</p>

<p>@Dad2 Cornell is not as strong as Penn for what OP wants to do. Top banks and consulting firms recruit way more heavily at Penn than Cornell (not just Wharton). </p>

<p>To OP, I think there is a good chance Penn will match or at least increase aid. If you like Penn more definitely give it a shot, and even if they don’t increase you should still strongly consider going to Penn given your interests</p>

<p>Cornell is the worst Ivy at everything (except engineering, which it is the best at) and is at the same time located in one of the premier worst locations, lol Ithaca. It’s a loss loss situation if you decided to go to Cornell. You shouldn’t even have to hesitate on this one, pick Penn, they will more than likely match the offer.</p>

<p>@Dad2: “and in a gorgeous setting” I loled at this so hard lol.</p>

<p>Yes, do the re-eval form and also fax in your other financial aid offers. It’s worth it to try and get more aid. For banking/finance, the atmosphere and resources at Penn help you so so much. I plan to do finance, and I personally love the environment and mindset toward banking here. It makes you feel like what you want is actually possible, and it helps you be super aware of recruiting and the “route”.</p>