<p>our son has been admitted to both schools but can not decide. He is interested in science and engineering(Bowdoin has 3-2 program) .He likes the feel of a small campus like Bowdoin, but he is socially awkward and feels he will not make friends. The research opportunities at Cornell are amazing and he has been admitted to the engineering program, but he is afraid the school is too big and he will be lost. We as parents are trying to let him make his own decision and not influence him ,but he can't choose. This is agonizing for all of us. Anything anyone could say at this point we would appreciate,before we all lose our minds! Thanks in advance!!</p>
<p>My feeling on the best fit for a socially awkward kid is that the smaller environment is probably better. Bowdoin’s administration seems to be very hands on, so he won’t fall through the cracks. Also, there is a big emphasis at Bowdoin in getting involved with activities outside of the classroom. This will provide social opportunities as well.
As a disclaimer, my daughter will be matriculating at Bowdoin this fall, so I am biased!
Good luck, and congrats on the great choices.</p>
<p>I strongly favor Cornell for engineering. It would be foolish to pass that up. Many engineers are socially awkward but he will make many friends at Cornell among students with similar temperament.</p>
<p>There are on the one hand the classic LAC vs, university tradeoffs (eg smaller classes vs. more course choices).</p>
<p>Then on top of that he is in the engineering college at Cornell, not its Arts & sciences college which would be most comparable to Bowdoin’s offerings. These are substantially different curricula and requirements as well. So an additional question is what does he want his education to consist of, in terms of requirements and courses, and what are his objectives.</p>
<p>If his objective is to become an engineer then i would suggest against relying on a 3-2 program to accomplish this, since I imagine few people actually complete them.</p>
<p>My more complete thoughts on this point are posted here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/oberlin-college/859076-engineering.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/oberlin-college/859076-engineering.html?</a></p>
<p>Regarding smaller environments being better, they can be IF he fits very well with the predominant campus culture at the school. Otherwise, they can be worse, since in that case you must repeatedly interact with people you don’t really like. D1 had that experience, at a larger LAC than Bowdoin. At LACs fit is quite important as her experience suggests.</p>
<p>My impression is that there would be a higher proportion of socially awkward types at cornell’s engineering school than at Bowdoin.</p>
<p>At Cornell, in all likelihood he’ll find like minded individuals (there are plenty of them around) in his dorm and he will be fine, in my opinion. Knock on wood.</p>