Princeton vs. Cornell vs. Carnegie Mellon

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am having a really difficult time choosing between these school, and I am hoping that some of you on here can help.</p>

<p>I plan on majoring in ChemE - though I am also interested in Mechanical. What I am really passionate about is sustainable energy. All of the schools have a program that focuses on that, which was actually my main focus for applying to all the schools on my list and what I wrote about in my essays. Princeton has a "certificate" in Sustainable Energy (<a href="http://www.princeton.edu/mae/undergraduate/program-in-sustainable-en/"&gt;http://www.princeton.edu/mae/undergraduate/program-in-sustainable-en/&lt;/a&gt;), and CMU has a minor in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability (<a href="https://coursecatalog-new.web.cmu.edu/carnegieinstituteoftechnology/undergraduatedesignatedminors/"&gt;https://coursecatalog-new.web.cmu.edu/carnegieinstituteoftechnology/undergraduatedesignatedminors/&lt;/a&gt;), Cornell has a minor in Sustainable Energy Systems (<a href="http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/handbook/2010/minors/energy.cfm"&gt;http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/handbook/2010/minors/energy.cfm&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>I plan on visiting Princeton again sometime this month, because I haven't really spent a lot of time with students. I might also visit Cornell again, however I don't really like how big it is and it seems like more of a party school than the other two. When I visited last I loved both campuses, however I am absolutely in love with everything CMU. I love all the social aspects of CMU - Tartan, Scottie, The Fence, Carnival, Buggy, Scotch'n'Soda, nerdy people, etc. etc.</p>

<p>However I don't know if this social aspect of CMU outweighs the academic excellence of Princeton or Cornell Engineering. Especially considering that Princeton's strongest engineering discipline is Chemical whereas it is CMU's weakest program. Plus, Princeton is generally strong overall in all other departments like humanities. Whereas CMU is more technically focused (plus business and drama), but it's not exactly known for humanities. Then, Cornell is definitely the strongest overall in Engineering of the Ivys.</p>

<p>Obviously I've already done a lot of thinking about this, but I still can't make a decision. I could really use any other thoughts or opinions on what I should do?</p>

2

<p>I don’t know if you saw this on your other thread… just for your reference. It will give you a picture of the people you are going to college with.</p>

<p>These are from American Society for Engineering Education. You can change university name to see information of other universities. I am listing from highest to lowest Math SAT and ACT of these three:</p>

<p><a href=“http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5586/screen/19?school_name=Cornell+University”>http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5586/screen/19?school_name=Cornell+University&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5692/screen/19?school_name=Princeton+University”>http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5692/screen/19?school_name=Princeton+University&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5811/screen/19?school_name=Carnegie+Mellon+University”>http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/5811/screen/19?school_name=Carnegie+Mellon+University&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>^ I like those links very much but notice that the Cornell combined SATs is based on reading plus math while the Princeton combined is based on reading plus math plus writing. Cornell’s program is much larger than Princeton, also has more resources. Cornell engineering program covers more diverse fields in engineering. The Cornell engineering program is generally rated a little better than Princeton but both are excellent. The ChemE at Cornell has a great rep and the ChemE majors seemed to have more fun than the ECE majors.</p>

<p>Also note that the 2013 data for CMU is incomplete. You need to look at 2012.</p>

<p>But, very helpful website!!</p>

4

<p>Frankly, it is silly to look for a miniscule academic distinction among these three schools. You applied to them because apparently you discovered that each has an excellent engineering department.</p>

5

<p>Carnegie Mellon is the school I would go to! amazing school, students, and Pittsburgh is awesome! </p>

<p>Princeton has an IVY pedigree, big deal you are going to spend 4 years or maybe longer if you go to grad school at the same place because of the that??? (and as far as cornell it is just not my cup of tea)</p>

<p>CMU is world renown and just plain awesome!</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>Wholeheartedly agree. The engineering programs - and overall academics - at each of these three institutions are phenomenal, and you can’t go wrong here. So if you want to go to Carnegie Mellon, which is what it sounds like, then go to Carnegie Mellon.</p>