Please help me choose between Northwestern and Cornell

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I've narrowed my college choices down to Cornell and Northwestern. Both are very great schools, of course, and I could really use some help deciding between the two. I think explaining some of my thinking would help.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure I want to be an engineer, but I'm not positive. I'm thinking of majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and I would really be interested in something relating to the development of wind and solar power after graduation. However, I worry because although I'm pretty good at math, I'm no math genius, and I worry about my success in engineering. To get an idea of my math ability, I got 760 on the SAT Math 1 and 2 tests, 730 on the SAT 1 math section, 34 on the ACT math section, and a 5 on the AP Stats test (although I think I've forgotten much of that AP material now). But I can't imagine myself doing anything other than engineering...</p>

<p>I liked Cornell more than Northwestern when I visited both of them, but the main thing I worry about is the curve in Cornell Engineering. I don't think Northwestern has this curve. From what I understand, you can score really well on a test, where you'd normally get an A. However, because of the curve, you might get a lower grade because it depends on the median grade. So this sounds to me like it would create a lot of competition among students and I worry about keeping up with the other engineering students at a great school like Cornell, in addition to what other students might do to get ahead of the others.</p>

<p>So these are my thoughts: I liked Cornell the most, but I have some apprehension because of the previously listed reasons. Another reason I like Cornell is since I am not certain yet what I want to do, I like the fact that Cornell is larger and thus has more opportunity.</p>

<p>If anyone could give me some advice about this, I would really, really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>I think you are focusing on the wrong thing -- particularly since this stuff about grading curves is all hearsay and not fact anyway. And I'm sure different teachers -- even at the same school and even in the same department -- probably have different grading policies.</p>

<p>Remember that Cornell (and NU, for that matter) would not have admitted you if they didn't think you were well-prepared and able to do the work. Your test scores are really excellent.</p>

<p>If you like Cornell most, then that's the right school for you. Don't let an unhealthy obsession with grades keep you from where you want to be.</p>

3

<p>I agree with post #2. If you like Cornell University better, than go to Cornell.</p>

4

<p>^I second that!</p>

5

<p>"fear is your only God" -Rage Against the Machine. Go to Cornell</p>

6

<p>Ya, geebus</p>