<p>Don't know any details about it's engineering programs, but how about U. of Rochester?
(Edit-- oops-- missed kitty56's post)</p>
<p>Thanks so much, everyone, for all the good info! I just tried to book the Statler and it is indeed full that night. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something. Anyway, we will make sure to try out one of the dining halls. Too bad about admitted students day, but we'll be sure to go by the school of engineering. </p>
<p>Our plan is to leave Boston on Wed. and visit WPI. Next day RPI and Union, then on to Cornell. What with all the driving involved I don't think that we'll be able to manage anything more and stay sane. We probably won't go to Columbia while in NYC, because I think that he would run out of the info session screaming when he heard about the core curriculum.</p>
<p>SEAS, the engineering school at Columbia, doesn't have the same Core as Columbia College.</p>
<p>But it's good to have an excuse to cross ultra-selective schools off the list unless you think he has a real shot at them.</p>
<p>If the Statler is full, get your rezzies made ASAP!
We like the Best Western just off campus which is where we usually stay if we're not treating ourselves at the Statler.</p>
<p>Getting into the Statler is basically impossible at many times of year.</p>
<p>I like the Ramada Inn in Ithaca. It's right near the mall and some cheap places to eat.</p>
<p>If you can't get a room at all in Ithaca (which is entirely possible when anything of importance is going on at Cornell or Ithaca College), try Cortland. It's about 30 miles away but an easy drive (just follow the Route 13 signs), and there are quite a few chain motels there. It's also cheaper.</p>
<p>I haven't quite gone to the extent of making reservations for my daughter's graduation, but I have a reservation for a room for move-out time in May that became uncancellable in February (and this isn't even in Ithaca; it's in Cortland! -- every motel in Cortland knows exactly when all the important Cornell events take place). I also already have a reservation for next August's move-in (but I'm splurging this time and staying in Ithaca).</p>
<p>Mercifully, I only have to drive to Ithaca twice a year -- at move-in and move-out times. For breaks, my daughter comes home on a phenomenally cheap and convenient charter bus (we live in the Washington, DC area).</p>
<p>If Cornell is a reach school for your engineer-to-be son, your should consider driving up to Syracuse Univ. (about an hour away), take the tour and visit the L.C. Link School of Engineering and Computer Science. Nice, big, diverse campus. My S. graduated (aerospace) last May, had a great college experience, was offered a great job prior to senior year. Everyone we encountered there very nice and friendly. They have all the engineering subspecialties, and if he should change his mind, it's easy enough to change to something else once you are there.</p>