Still can't decide where to commit...

College Search & Selection
1

So with less than a day left to choose where to attend, I am still stuck between two schools: Cornell University (College of Engineering) and Harvey Mudd College. I tried making a pros and cons list for each school, but I was left undecided at the end. So I thought I would come to CC for help. I have been accepted to my major, computer science at both schools.

Harvey Mudd

Pros: community, interaction with professors, class sizes, opportunity for research, clinic program, access to the Claremont Consortium, and the weather.

Cons: cost ($24,400/year, would leave with about $30k debt at end of college), lesser variety of classes

Cornell:

Pros: Greater variety of classes, quality of cs program, perceived “ivy” prestige, cost ($16,500/year, no debt), opportunity to take classes at other Cornell schools,would have more room for electives, larger alumni network, would get AP credit, co-op program

Cons: not as tight knit community, class sizes, weather

When I visited Harvey Mudd I had an absolutely great time. I really felt like the students formed a strong and welcoming community. But I not get to overnight at Cornell nor spend very much tiem there so I am not sure if that same community feeling is present. Also I think the party scene is better at HMC so that is a plus.

I also love the smaller class sizes and getting one on one time with professors, and at Cornell some intro to CS classes get up to 600 students, vs at Harvey Mudd the largest class would have 200 students. The weather also is fantastic in Claremont.

However I am scared of the debt mainly because I am interested in possibly pursuing Ph.D studies after college and I feel I would have to delay that, and work in industry to pay down my debt at Harvey Mudd, while at Cornell I could go into a Ph.D program right away if I wanted to.

I really indecisive so any suggestions or comments would be great

2

Also, I think the facilities at Cornell at better. They also have a lot more research going on so I could probably find something more suited to my interests at Cornell.

One more thing is that my parents expect to earn more in the coming years, so that would reduce my financial aid and make both schools more expensive. But this is a bigger deal at HMC where I would already be taking on debt and possibly have to take on more.

3

Sounds like you know the answer already. Each school has pluses and minuses, but, in the end, it’s the money.

4

First off, rarely does someone stay at the same university they did their undergraduate work in to pursue a PdD. Schools like the cross-fertilization that happens when students move to different schools to pursue further study. So, no, at Cornell you probably can’t go into a PhD program right there.

Usually doctoral students get funding (in exchange for tasks of some sort) and tuition remission.

If you want a school that will nurture an interest in scholarship, go to Harvey Mudd. If you are more interested in the rah rah busyness of a big university, then go to Cornell. It is true that Cornell will have more research labs to choose from but you are also more likely to end up with menial tasks as one of 50 undergrads in a lab, often working under a grad student not a professor.

5

I have a friend whose daughter just chose between two very good college opportunities. She said she unplugged from all technology, went to her room alone, laid on her bed, closed her eyes, and visualized herself as already being a student at each university. How excited was she? How content? How much did she enjoy the people and experiences? When she came out of her room, the choice she had been agonizing about for months was clear.

Annnndddd… if that’s a little to nebulous for you, here is a very well written blog on the subject: http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/choosing-to-become-yourself

Good luck & aloha!

6

Harvey Mudd for an excellent undergrad experience. Go to Cornell or similar for grad school.

Also if reference to your pro/cons: HM does not have less classes because you can cross enroll at 5C. And as prestigious (some would say more) than Cornell.

7

I vote for Mudd. $30k is nothing to sneeze at, of course, and only you can evaluate how important it is as a factor, but a Mudd diploma will put you in line for career earnings that will render $30k relatively easy to pay off.

It’s a win-win, though, of course, so congrats to you!

8

You should have tried to get into a Top 20 Computer Science program, many of them are cheaper and have greater name recognition in the industry. Best of luck!

9

Good grief, @johnm20, that was so unnecessary. The decision has already been made. No place for “shoulds” now, unless yuour intent was just to make OP feel bad.

10

This is the classic Elite U vs. Elite LAC matchup, with predictable pros and cons for each school.

If you can’t decide based on fit, go with the money: Cornell.

Cornell is a great school with lots of prestige, both nationally and internationally. It will set you up pretty well.

(Mudd is pretty great too, of course…)

11

@MommaJ: The thing that struck me even more than those things about @“johnm20”'s comment is that those schools are highly ranked. Cornell is top 10 in CS, and Harvey Mudd is #1 in undergrad-only engineering schools. (And sounds like the OP got pretty good financial packages at both those schools.) So add in ignorant and uninformed to the unnecessary.

12

The reply date for colleges was a month ago, but in case anyone is wondering I decided on Cornell. Financial aid was a large part of my choice and Cornell was just so much more generous, and at Cornell I’ll have more room for elective courses. I really liked the tight-knit student body at Harvey Mudd but I’m sure I’ll find a great community at Cornell too.

1 Like
13

Great decision!!!

14

Congratulations!

15

You made a good choice. Enjoy!