<p>I would like to study mechanical engineering at one of these universities, but i'm not sure which one i want to go too.</p>
<p>I already know that Stanford is generally more prestigious and has a better ranking than Cornell, but what i really want to know is, what the lifestyle is like at the two universities. What the social life is like? how are the professors? How is the workload? What campus is like? What is it like to attend one of these universities?</p>
<p>i have a lot of coworkers from both schools. A big part of Cornell’s social life revolves around Greek life, and because Cornell’s a larger school, the workload is more cutthroat, more of that “weeding out” process. If admitted to both, I’d goto Stanford, I think it’s in a different tier in the prestige category.</p>
<p>The workload in engineering is going to be intense wherever you go. Cornell is not cutthroat. Students are friendly and hard-working. Cornell’s campus is beautiful. Very outdoorsy. Cornell is more focused on undergraduates. Cornell has an ecclectic student body.</p>
<p>Engineering is one of Cornell’s strongest areas.</p>
<p>
You are wise to throw out prestige. It won’t make the slightest difference which one you choose for mechanical engineering (or most subjects, for that matter). </p>
<p>Weather: Stanford has the balmy weather of California, rarely getting cold weather and never snow. Cornell has northeastern weather, which means snow and cold temperatures are to be expected.</p>
<p>Location: Ithaca is a very cool little college town. Palo Alto…is not.
<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/greathomesanddestinations/14havens.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/greathomesanddestinations/14havens.html</a></p>
<p>Campus: Stanford has mission style architecture with carefully manicured lawns. Some people find it beautiful; others think it looks like a Taco Bell on a golf course. Cornell is an architectural hodgepodge of Gothic, Victorian, and modernist buildings. Some find it beautiful and Hogwartsy; others find it too eclectic. </p>
<p>Food: Cornell purportedly has the best food in the country.</p>
<p>Social scene: As kb10 pointed out, much of Cornell’s social scene is Greek-related, but it is large enough that most students can find a niche. Much of the action takes place off campus, in Collegetown. Greek life is smaller at Stanford, making up roughly 13% of the student body.</p>
<p>Athletics: Stanford has the edge in athletics. In broad terms, however, Stanford focuses on football and Cornell on hockey. </p>
<p>Workload: Workloads would be comparable.</p>
<p>
Myth.</p>
<p>Cornell’s 4 year graduation rate is 87%, which is quite a bit higher than Stanford’s 79%. According to Cornell’s OIR, its engineering students have had this graduation rate since at least 1980. </p>
<p>97% of Cornell freshmen return; 98% of Stanford freshmen return.</p>
<p>I was at Cornell yesterday for Homecoming. The foliage was beautiful. Cornell is magnificent in October. Had dinner at Ruloff’s in Collegetown. Delicious. Went to the Johnson Art Museum. Spectacular views of Cayuga Lake and the Valley from the fifth floor. They are building an extension to the museum.</p>
<p>I am NOT saying to go there for the scenery. Mechanical Engineering is top-notch.</p>
<p>I studied engineering at Cornell. My close friend from high school studied engineering at Stanford. We compared notes throughout our four years. While there are differences between the two schools (many of which IBC06 wonderfully highlighted), we both felt after four years at college that our experiences were actually quite similar - namely our engineering workload (heavy but managable), accessability of our professors (some more than others but generally good), our fondness for our own campus’s architecture (I think Cornell’s architecture is nicer; my friend would disagree), and our surprise our senior year at the number of quality companies coming to our schools to hire graduates. Neither of us found our classmates to be cutthroat. </p>
<p>Both schools are difficult to get into, particularly Stanford. I encourage you to continue researching the two schools, and if you still like what you see and read, apply to both. Assuming the best case scenario, you can make your final decision in May of next year, which gives you plenty of time to think things over. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>FWIW, a former work colleague of mine did BS Cornell MS Stanford, in EE.
He said Cornell was a lot tougher, the nice weather at Stanford was a distraction towards studying, or something like that.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I did M Eng at Cornell and that was also easier than undergrad there, so unclear how much difference is the undergrad school, vs. just grad vs. undergrad.</p>
<p>But I don’t hear anyone saying Stanford is tougher, yet it is one of the few places that can be considered yet more prestigious, and more people would probably prefer the climate there. It’s got to be particularly excellent for access to employment on the West Coast, I would imagine.</p>
<p>thanks for all your input.</p>
<p>Although i love the idea of attending Stanford, and the sunny californian weather, i’m more inclined for Cornell.
deciding factors:
-even though Stanford has a better reputation then cornell, i’m sure a degree from either of these universities won’t change job opportunities all that much.
-Though i love the sun, i tend not to deal with heat all that well, so the cold climate is perfect for me
-Never seen a white christmas before, so Cornell is probably a good place to go see it
-I prefer the scenery and architecture at Cornell
-workload maybe more difficult, but i’m try to cope.
and
-I like my food</p>
<p>Anyway, i will apply to both and i hope i get into at least one of them.</p>
<p>Thanks again everyone</p>
<p>i’m sure a degree from either of these universities won’t change job opportunities all that much.</p>
<p>i don’t know… you’re talking about one of HYPSM vs. one of the “lower” ivies. there is a small difference</p>
<p>I graduated from Cornell a couple of years ago and am now living in the South Bay, not far from Stanford. I can’t really speak to the engineering perspective, but I’d like to offer the fiscal and lifestyle perspective.</p>
<p>Aside from tuition (didn’t look at those numbers), Cornell is definitely more affordable. Moving off campus and finding a place within 10 minutes from campus (walking) for $500-$600 is very feasible, while I cannot say the same for Stanford/Palo Alto. Eating off-campus is also much less expensive at Cornell than at Stanford.</p>
<p>Cornell, Ithaca, and the Upstate New York region have a lot of character. Cornell’s Collegetown really felt like our own little city- a handful of fun college bars, a very popular bagel place (Collegetown Bagels, aka CTB) on the corner, houses that you wouldn’t really consider living in once you’re in the “real world,” college students everywhere. Palo Alto, on the other hand, is mostly populated by young professionals. It’s much ritzier and less intimate.</p>
<p>My vote obviously lies with Cornell, but definitely visit both campuses if you have the chance. If you’re accepted to Cornell, they will invite you to “Cornell Days,” during which you can stay with a student in the dorms, go on tours of North Campus (where all freshmen live), and get a feel for what life at Cornell is like. Stanford might do something similar.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck in the application process!
Dana</p>