<p>Same old story, interested in engineering and sciences (mostly chemical engineering or chemistry). Trying to decide between Cornell and RPI. Any advice - academics, social life (or lack thereof), political life (is it safe for a conservative), dorms.</p>
<p>A little put off by the size, location (middle of nowhere), being overwhelmed at Cornell. On the other hand, RPI is in the middle of a dump, less of a reputation.</p>
<p>Thanks for your time. :)</p>
<p>Cornell.</p>
<p>I think you will have the most opportunities there... and the prestige is way above RPI. I hate to be so general, but I think you can't pass up Cornell</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK :)</p>
<p>ya, not really a decision here, its clear, Cornell is better in everyway.</p>
<p>Only go to RPI if you are 100% sure you want to be an Engineer, and you feel that the college is a good overall "fit" for you.</p>
<p>Personally, I was accepted to Cornell and RPI. . . . .Cornell will give me $16,000, but RPI will give me $22,000 and a free laptop.</p>
<p>However, I think I'm going to cornell. . . . .despite the extra cost, I think I will be MUCH happier at Cornell, and my happiness is worth an extra $6,000 a year, even though I will have to work more. . . .plus it gives me the flexibility to take whatever courses I'd like. Perspective majors do change for some people.</p>
<p>I'd also recommend Cornell; it's one of the best engineering schools in the country, and is definitely worth attending over RPI (even if RPI offers slightly more money).</p>
<p>My friend's brother goes to RPI for engineering. He says that his friends who go to Cornell for engineering are covering stuff NOW that he did his freshman year (he's a college junior.)
Another friend's parents both went to RPI, rejecting offers from schools like Columbia and McGill. RPI is THAT good in engineering.
RPI is exemplary in engineering. Just because a school is ranked higher overall or has the "prestige" of an Ivy league name doesn't mean it's better. Sometimes those lists and rankings that people obsessively pore over neglect really awesome educatoinal opportunities that people pass up all the time because they think that a name is worth extra money. Pick the school that makes you happiest when you are on campus, but keep in mind that just because RPI is not as well known doesn't mean it's not good in your field...in fact, it's great.</p>
<p>If you're seriously considering RPI, make sure you know that it's located in the absolute most hellish part of NY.</p>
<p>That's true, Troy sucks, but Ithaca isn't exactly NY city either.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the input!!! </p>
<p>I agree Troy is very trashy and extremely run-down but i also know that 75% of Ithaca is blanketed with cow crap..... so i dont know... i guess lesser of two evils situation? they're both equal distances from NYC and Syracuse is moderately close to Cornell... and i also heard Cornell runs daily busses to their med. school campus in nyc... a) is that true?? and b) hypothetically, could me and a few friends hitch a ride??</p>
<p>but anwyays i visited Cornell and I really liked it there... but one problem i had was that people seemed really really really stressed out and because of that noone was really friendly...
when i went to RPI i noticed the exact opposite.. everyone seemed more easy-going and more accepting...
is that typical at Cornell? because its Ivy/Harder Curriculum/Expensive that people stress easily?? I'm a hard-working but generally easy going person and I just want to make sure I'll fit in at Cornell...
and likewise, is the feeling i got at RPI normal or a fake put-on for student days?</p>
<p>I have so many questions..:) and i really really appreciate everyone who answers them!!! Thanks alot everyone!!!!!</p>
<p>Troy also has some nice parts though. Lansingburgh (ghetto in Troy) is trashy and run down but there are a few upper class neighborhoods as well. River street is very nice, and troy is improving a lot as far as being an artistic and cultural center. They have a pretty nice art scene actually.</p>
<p>Ithaca is supposed to be a very liberal, activist town, so if you're into that than that's cool.</p>
<p>I'm a conservative, so i know I'll be in the minority wherever i go... but is it worse in Ithaca? </p>
<p>Just add that question to my previous list:)</p>
<p>thanks so much everyone:)</p>
<p>I don't think Troy is particularly political in either direction. The capital region of NY is liberal but not so liberal that people with other viewpoints can't survive.</p>
<p>I think it's really important that you check out studentsreview.com
and look at the RPI board on this site just to see what the students who go there have to say. Same for Cornell. Cause I don't know much about RPI other than what I hear. So don't make any rash decisions based on what I say without doing your own research.</p>