Senior picking between UCSD v Cornell

Hey guys so I am Felipe, an Ecuadorian in the process of picking a school and my top choices are or UCSD and Cornell. My planned major is biology and I know it is very good at both schools.

I realize that Cornell is an Ivy League in Ithaca which is a much smaller city then I am accustomed to given that I live in South Florida but I am adaptable to change. The plus side to coming here would be the surrounding nature, which I love, the food, and being close to my sister in Brooklyn. What I am most concerned of is the social scene, the weather, and the cost (difference discussed later). I haven’t visited but I will in April before committing.

I have been to UCSD for a summer program and loved it. The city to me is one of the best in the nation and I know there is a lot of events like concerts that I can go to for fun. I have a cousin in the San Fran area I can visit if I need a taste of home, but I feel like it wouldn’t be difficult to call La Jolla/San Diego home. My biggest concerns here are school resources (in terms of what is available to me on campus) and transportation in general seeing that not everything is very close to campus and I most likely will not have a car.

In terms of cost one is about 55 versus the other being 65 so about a 10 K difference. My family will have to make sacrifices as will I, but idk if the 10k leap is worth for Cornell.

I’d love to hear some thoughts for both and general advice when picking schools so feel free to drop anything in here. I appreciate your guys’ time! Thanks!