<p>The results of my application to Cornell should be coming in December, but I'm already weighing my pros and cons. Essentially, by transferring, I'm restarting my college life. Extracurriculars, jobs, research position. Is it worth it? I want to go to grad school and I'm applying from Colorado State University.</p>
<p>It is a bit like hitting the restart button. You have to learn a new system, make new friends and all of the other things you listed. It’s worth it if you’re really unhappy with your current school or if it doesn’t have something that you need academically. If your reason is to move up to a more prestigious school, it may not be if you’re severing valuable ties at your old school and have to start at square one again. Recommendations are very important to grad school admissions, I’d say more so than the name on your undergrad diploma. It’s a very individual question, and is never black and white, you will both gain and lose something in staying or moving.</p>
<p>entomom good point. My question is I guess, how much of a name difference would you need to counteract the cons you talked about. I’m sure if it’s a little known community college to cornell then it would make sense. But what about say University of Chicago to Cornell? Berkeley to Cornell?</p>
<p>IMO there’s no difference when you get to schools of that caliber. And even the OP going to CSU, depending on the field and the strength of the LOR, it could be as strong as any selective private. I think what people don’t understand sometimes is that there are great teachers and researchers at most 4 year colleges. And when you’re applying to grad school in a specific field, profs tend to know each other through their published work, not the school they teach at.</p>
<p>These are both very good points. </p>
<p>At Colorado State, I’m in my third semester. I’ve become an RA, made friends, have professors that are happy to write recommendations, VP of a community service org, actively involved in research in the cognitive psychology department, etc. It’s all here. And I am happy.</p>
<p>So when you ask those questions, it doesn’t leave much room for a switch. I’ve decided to write down my pros and cons for both schools below. If you think that they substantiate a switch, tell me. If I’m chasing after something that isn’t there or doesn’t need to be pursued, tell me.</p>
<p>Colorado State University
Ft. Collins, CO</p>
<hr>
<p>Pros:
-Resident Assistant (RA)
-Made Friends
-Feels like my home
-Doing research and next semester will be initiating my own
-Vice-President of Alpha Phi Omega
-Connections with profs. (recently spoke with Dr. Deffenbacher, my abnormal psych professor, and an influential person in the field of anger research)
-Graduate Magna Cum Laude (unless something happens, 3.93 or higher), and with Honors</p>
<p>Cons:
-Very impersonal
-Some ignorance on campus to the outer world (i.e. A professor of mine, “Where’s Cornell? What kind of university is it?”)
-Not a competitive psych program (not just because it isn’t highly ranked, but because I love excelling in college, didn’t use to, and the psych students don’t like to compete and encourage each other to work harder and do better. does that make sense?)
-Few expectations of graduates from the psychology department to go anywhere other than CSU for grad school</p>
<p>Cornell University
Ithaca, NY</p>
<hr>
<p>Pros:
-Graduate with a degree from a top notch university
-A chance to diversify my college education (travel, see more of the country, etc.)
-Apparently more personality based research in their psych department (but I must admit that my ignorance shines through right here, I know little about the psych program)
-Push myself in my education
-Possibly find a more competitive circle
-Network of friends and alumni
-If I were able to mimic what I’ve created at CSU, I would be a top candidate for almost any grad school, when a Cornell Degree is included. (More Cornell University graduates have gone to the grad school I’d like to go to, than CSU grads)
-Has an Alpha Phi Omega chapter!</p>
<p>Cons:
-Lack of information about the university
-Never even toured the school
-Cold weather (Doesn’t matter, but it’s not ideal)
-Giving up all the stuff I’ve become a part of
-Cornell environment could be so ruthless that I feel unintelligent and outcast from the normal caliber
-Possible lack of undergraduate research opportunities (group or independent)
-No experience with professors</p>
<hr>
<p>Give me all you’ve got, tell me what you think.</p>
<p>I know that in the end, my decision is up to me. My parents will support me, psychologically and monetarily. </p>
<p>If you were in my shoes, what would you be thinking/doing?</p>
<p>I never had the impression Colorado was particularly warm, so I don’t see why Ithaca would be a problem. But I’ve never been to Colorado so I don’t know. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would transfer to Cornell. The cons you listed about Colorado seem like legitimate problems, whereas the Cornell cons can be fixed easily…take a tour of campus, get more info, buy a warm coat and some gloves. The part about adjusting to a new environment and leaving your profs/friends will be harder. You seem intelligent and if you can get into Cornell, you can probably make it there as a student. I’m trying to transfer there as well - it’s a great school.</p>
<p>Weather? I grew up in foco and I go to Penn now (same weather as Ithica) and its much warmer.</p>
<p>HopingFor-</p>
<p>I disagree with one of your cons for Cornell. From what I’ve heard/read was that Cornell focuses on undergrad research, and from what my bf has told me it’s really true, but he’s a bio major, so it’s prolly different than psych. But yeah, I’ve heared that Cornell is really good with undergrad research, so don’t let that hold you back.</p>
<p>However, you should know that might be me just really being in love with Cornell and hoping to transfer, I’m not a student there, so I guess what I said isn’t terribly helpful. All the same, good luck with everything, and if you’re going to grad school, I wouldn’t sweat it too much. :)</p>
<p>Travelbook-</p>
<p>It wasn’t so much that it was a con. Just lack of knowledge about the research opportunities available on campus. Nonetheless, I appreciate the information about a heavy focus on undergrad research opportunities.</p>
<p>To star and nineteen-</p>
<p>Weather isn’t much of an issue. Just mentioned it, because it was less than “ideal.”</p>
<p>In general, finding an undergrad research opportunity would be one of the most important things for me to find.</p>
<p>And I still don’t know the makeup of the student body, and the general focus towards academics, partying, extracurriculars, etc.</p>
<p>If I’m accepted, I’ll plan on flying out ASAP to see the university. That was I can make a more informed decision, albeit in the dead of winter. ;)</p>
<p>Any another advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!</p>
<p>Colorado State to Cornell.</p>
<p>With all due respect, I see no debate or reason to fly out.</p>
<p>Chjon-</p>
<p>Could please explain your reasoning?</p>
<p>This is a very difficult decision for you, my situation in transferring was a bit different but I think my experiences at my new school might be able to give you a little bit of perspective:</p>
<ol>
<li>For most people it will be quite difficult to replace your social circle as a transfer. I got lucky because I’m in ROTC so it wasn’t quite so difficult for me to meet new people and you’re sort-of forced to bond with a group of people whether you want to or not. I left some of my best friends at my old school and while I’m sure I made the right decision it still sucks. You will be at a disadvantage socially and you won’t feel like you fit in for a while because your classmates have been there for 1-2 years and they most likely have a close group of friends, while you probably don’t know anyone.</li>
</ol>
<p>Of the many transfers I know at my current school and from talking to my friends that also transferred to other schools this is something that everyone deals with and it might not be easy.</p>
<ol>
<li>You are a star at your current school, at Cornell or a similar school it will be extremely difficult for you to stand out from your colleagues. Not only will most of your classmates be as intelligent or hardworking as you, if not more, but they have a year or two head-start at x school while you are starting fresh. </li>
</ol>
<p>It will also be very difficult to keep that 3.93 gpa at Cornell because it is way more competitive. </p>
<p>IF you do get accepted to Cornell you will have an amazing opportunity to attend one of the finest schools in the nation. Getting accepted, however, is not going to be the hardest part. There is still much more hard work to be done if you want to put yourself in the best position for graduate school. No one can tell you whether you will do better as a shining star at a state school or one of many at an elite school like Cornell, you’ve just got to do some serious thinking to find out where you honestly think you will excel most.</p>
<p>Please do not get caught up in the prestige whoring you see too much on these forums, as you know already I’m sure it’s not so black and white. </p>
<p>Good luck wherever you decide to go.</p>
<p>Sure thing.</p>
<p>I agree with jwlstn and it looks like you’ve gone through pains to really identify the positives and negatives of staying or going. And that’s great - far too many people jump ship without really understanding what transferring entails. </p>
<p>My reasoning is this: Yes, you have a great situation right now with a top GPA at Colorado State. I understand that if you xfer you’ll have to make new friends etc. But as everyone knows, nothing in life is easy. If you want to make it big, take a risk. Colorado State is a great school, but Cornell has more opportunities. As much as everyone in the world would like to think that hard work will always get you through, which is the case most of the time, Cornell’s name will get you farther than Colorado State. There will be much higher competition and it will be very hard to get a 3.9 at Cornell, but how can you give it up? It’s a whole another world of opportunity.</p>
<p>I saw your list of pros and cons and I agree with all of the cons, but for me at least, the opportunities available at Cornell trumps everything. I have a great situation (pretty much like yours actually) at my current university which I’ve worked hard for, but I would give it all up for a shot at the big time at Big Red.</p>
<p>If you get in think about it very carefully. But don’t be scared to take a chance man. Staying in our comfort zone our entire lives will get us nowhere.</p>
<p>jwlstn and chjon,</p>
<p>Wow guys. This is probably the best advice I’ve received thus far. </p>
<p>“If you get in think about it very carefully. But don’t be scared to take a chance man. Staying in our comfort zone our entire lives will get us nowhere.”</p>
<p>I couldn’t possibly agree more. I’m scared that I might just stay at CSU and go through the motions, easily entering into CSU’s grad school and living out a normal, perfectly successful life. I want to break out of the box. I’ve lived in three different states, and to simply stay in Colorado because it makes sense, would be terribly disappointing to me. I do want to take a chance.</p>
<p>“It will also be very difficult to keep that 3.93 gpa at Cornell because it is way more competitive.”</p>
<p>That’s probably true, or it will be a hell of a lot harder to hit that mark. Nonetheless, I will work tirelessly wherever I end up staying/going. So, I will do my best to graduate with honors/latin honors. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. The GPA is very important for grad school, but I’d want to know that my undergrad offered me the best educational investment for my future. That’s where I’m not convinced in CSU.</p>
<p>“You will be at a disadvantage socially and you won’t feel like you fit in for a while because your classmates have been there for 1-2 years and they most likely have a close group of friends, while you probably don’t know anyone.”</p>
<p>This is a tough one. It’s true. I’ve made friends in my community service organization, residence life, and in my classes. These are friendships that will be hard to break away from, but I would do it if it meant that I was going to progress to a higher level.</p>
<p>As for the people at Cornell, I would have to hope that they were accepting to me joining into the same community service organization, Alpha Phi Omega. And because I’d live in the dorms, that there would be opportunities to meet people.</p>
<p>Friends break away at some point. You start families, go to grad school, etc. Some are and some aren’t going to be around forever. This is a point in my life where I want to make friends and also be incredibly selfish about my education. I want the best for me now, so that when I’m a psychologist I can be the best for my clients.</p>
<p>I feel the pressure of this decision already! ;)</p>
<p>I think you have a pretty good handle on the pluses and minuses of transferring. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey there, </p>
<p>First off, best of luck in your transfer application! Just thought I would chime in about research opportunities. My boyfriend went to Cornell and was an information science major. He was heavily involved in research at Cornell, and if I’m not mistaken it was through the psych department. He is asleep now otherwise I would ask. He did a really cool study about online dating; how people present themselves online versus in person and the effects on relationships etc. It was actually really cool. He also got very close to the professor he did his research under, so that was a huge plus. I think if your outgoing enough you can definitely become involved in some major projects. I hope you choose Cornell :-D!</p>
<p>entomom,</p>
<p>Thanks! I just wish my pros and cons added up to one in particular. :)</p>
<p>rcl268,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for this post. This continues to obliterate my previous doubts about my ability to achieve research opportunities at Cornell. Thank you for your kind wishes. I’d love to hear what your husband’s experience was like at Cornell!</p>
<hr>
<p>Only about one to two weeks until I should be receiving some notification from Cornell. Trust me that I will keep you guys posted. My thinking is no longer “if” I get in, it’s what do I do “when” I get in. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but modesty isn’t a strong suit. ;)</p>
<p>I thank all of you for your input thus far. I would love to hear more!</p>
<p>Best of luck man! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Chjon.</p>
<p>No problem HopingFor! lol it’s so funny everyone thinks I am married or something! He is actually my boyfriend, but no worries the dry cleaning people think were married also. Slightly weird since I’m only 20! haha! Anyways, his experience at Cornell was overall good. The workload was significant and it is really difficult to keep a high GPA there. I think the engineering majors the average is like 3.2- Cornellians please correct me if I’m wrong! He wasn’t in a frat or anything but I know other Cornell grads who were and they had a great experience. Overall, he walked away from the experience very happy with the education he received and definitely saw a change in the way he thought. I do think it was a difficult experience at times. I think if someone asked him; would you recommend Cornell, he would say yes.</p>