<p>So my top two choices are Cornell and Berkeley. I've visited Berkeley a few times and I thought the atmosphere there was great. It's really bustling and lively and there are people everywhere. Can anyone compare and contrast this with Cornell? I know it's rural but is it quite/dead or are there always things to do? When I went to Berkeley I felt like I could never be bored, is Cornell anything like this? I'm planning on visiting if I get in, but I'd like a heads up :)</p>
<p>Berkely is a very urban environment, surrounded by a very large urban area. Cornell is 4-5 hours from NYC and is very rural, it is a good 30 minutes from the nearest freeway. One has a COLD and SNOWY and WET academic year, one has rain and fog but no real cold. As far as keeping you busy, both will keep you plenty busy. Social life and extra curricular activities are sufficient for any normal person to keep him/herself happy if they choose.</p>
<p>Both schools being large will have fairly vibrant campus lives. When I visited Berkeley on accepted applicant day, I found the whole event disorganized and poorly planned with hordes of students/parents just milling around (and of course the obligatory ROTC protestors picketing). After having spent half my life in CA, I felt it was important to broaden my horizons and live in a place that's different from Berkeley (in terms of demographics, location, weather, etc.). Ironically, I think it actually cost me less to attend Cornell than to attend Berkeley.</p>
<p>From most of the people who I talked to at Berkeley, they were not very pleased at the school if I'm honest. One girl who had just graduated demanded for me to not apply because she said her experience was so poor.</p>
<p>Cornell on the other hand is very beautiful (as is Berkeley) but has a very traditional, conservative (yet progressive) feel about it. The people are very nice, not everybody is from New York and the people are perhaps more intellectual. Also, certain groups are also not ostracized at Cornell.</p>
<p>Sambago- are you from California? </p>
<p>For me personally, I know I wouldn't be as happy staying in california. Don't get me wrong, I love it here, but it's just that I want to start off fresh and new. College should be about change and progressing; staying so close to the same area that I lived in my whole didn't seem like the right place to do it. </p>
<p>I was worried that if I went to a UC, I wouldn't be able to explore and see as many different perspectives because I'd probably hang around the same people from HS. Like norcalguy said, the demographics and location are too similar to what I've been experiencing my whole likfe. Well, to sum it all up, I was worried it would be like high school all over again.</p>
<p>Berkeley is such a small campus, and it accepts even more undergrads each year than Cornell. What I've heard from my friends is that they are stuck in these huge classes and it's kinda pointless to even show up. So then one of my friends just skip and finds her webcasted lectures right before a test.</p>
<p>yousonofatree: I'm from California too and I applied to Cornell for the exact reason you're talking about. To be honest, my only worry is that Cornell would be like UC Davis. Have you been there? I have and I've talked to a lot of students and all they talk about is how quite and boring it is and there's nothing to do. I would rather have Berkeley's lively atmosphere outside of California and without the ridiculously huge classes and lack of personal attention Berkeley is famous for.</p>
<p>You will receive an excellent education at either place. However, Berkeley is huge and may require a lot more initiative on your part than a smaller private institution. I think it is easy to get lost at a place like Berkeley. In addition, the CA state budget deficit really puts the squeeze on the UC system. I hear from students in CA about not being able to get classes they need, etc. Of course the weather will not be as extreme in Berkeley and you will be in a larger metropolitan area that has a lot to offer. Both campuses are very lively and have a lot going for them. Personally, I think Cornell is a better place for undergraduates. If you want to go to Berkeley, I'd go there as a graduate student.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone!</p>
<p>Cornell is NOTHING like davis... absolutely not comparable at all. It has a great commons and it's not all cow fields like davis. The campus is AMAZING and you won't be bored there... davis, not so sure (sorry if I offended people at davis).</p>
<p>when I visited berkeley, I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT. the campus, to me, is small and rather er.... ghetto (sorry if I offended people at berkeley) but seriously. I think for berkeley, it's either you hate it or love it, and I hated it, but cornell, I don't see any reason anyone would hate it. so it's love love love. all the way.</p>
<p>I'm from LA, and I visited bascially all the UC's, and I spent a summer at cornell, and it was the most amazing summer ever. even though I'm kinda scared that the weather's gonna be challenging at cornell, but I'm 100% sure that it's the best decision I will ever make in my life. Socially and academically, I think cornell has so much more to offer than berkeley.</p>
<p>I've spent 2 weeks living w/ friends at Davis. Cornell is nothing like Davis.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, my worst fears are now dismissed. :) no offense to anyone but i absolutely HATED Davis and if Cornell was like that I wouldn't have wanted to go. Now all I need to do is get in!</p>
<p>Does it rain alot at Cornell? I hate the rain</p>
<p>One thing to consider is the cost of airfare from California to Ithaca. Flights to Ithaca tend to be quite expensive. From what I heard, I would take Cornell over Berkeley. Are those your two final choices? Cornell has great food and a balanced campus.</p>
<p>Yeah, Cornell and Berkeley are my top two and money is not a factor in my choice.</p>
<p>so have you decided?
i got into both. and i'm thinking cornell...now if only i have a lot of aid.</p>
<p>good luck with your decision</p>
<p>I got wait listed. :( guess i'm going to berkeley!</p>
<p>hi
I'm in a similar situation in that I can't decide between ucla and cornell
to some what I agree with all that has been stated about cornell, however I'm still quite torn between the two</p>
<p>UCLA will probably be cheaper and the weather will most certainly be better. So, what's keeping you from choosing UCLA?</p>
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UCLA will probably be cheaper and the weather will most certainly be better. So, what's keeping you from choosing UCLA?
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<p>If money is not a factor, then choosing OOS is the HUGE difference, IMO. Forget the academics -- the personal growth is the differentiator. And, given what will be several lean years of California budgets, Cornell has all the upsides of a private college.</p>