<p>I'm a Belgian Student (finishing my Bioscience Engineering Msc) planning to do a 1-year master program on sustainable energy and climate change/environment. As it stands, I am not planning to stay into the academic world (i.e. Phd) after that year, but I wouldn't be the first to change minds. </p>
<p>I got admitted into the Energy Economics M.Eng program in Cornell (EEE - School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering - Cornell Engineering) with a 25k fellowship award, and in the Atmosphere and Energy M.Sc program in Stanford (Atmosphere/Energy Program) with a 12k grant. Both programs are about 43k. I think both programs are relatively new. Stanford's program, I know for sure, has only started in 2006-2007. </p>
<p>My initial preference was towards Stanford, because of the atmosphere aspect of the program (I enjoyed atmospheric chemistry), the leading role of California in environmental issues, and Stanford's reputation in general. However, now Cornell is offering me double the aid, I'm seriously thinking about Cornell. I really don't want my parents to pay that much for me, neither do I want to start out with a 30k+ loan (it's not worth it in Europe, people have told me). Also, it's not like Cornell's program does not offer what I want, I have quite a bit of freedom in choosing courses. Lastly, I'm an avid skier and I heard the small resort Greek Peak is only 30 min away (not sure I will have time to enjoy that though). </p>
<p>Currently I'm still applying for a Fulbright Grant, which is 5-35k and I figure I have a good chance to get it. Basically, chosing for Stanford means I will rely on this grant, or will have to cough up 31k (ouch) vs. 18k (doable). </p>
<p>So, should I just follow my initial feeling and go for Stanford, use the extra need for the Grant as a motivator to get it? </p>
<p>It might be also worthwhile to mention that my girlfriend is going to UPenn (Philly), so being in Cornell would make us only a 4h trip seperated, whereas being in Stanford is a 6h expensive flight.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t feel like you’re “settling” for school due to money issues. You make it sound like Cornell is vastly inferior and money is your only reason for leaning towards it. Take the cost/aid out and make a pro and con list. Do you really like Stanford more than Cornell? If you only like Stanford a tiny bit more, choose Cornell because honestly a few “prestige” points isn’t worth the extra 12K.</p>
<p>Cornell did recently beat Stanford for the chance to build a tech/engineering campus in NYC, which will greatly improve Cornell’s engineering recognition/prestige on the east coast and the country in general.</p>
<p>That Stanford simply “withdrew” is merely the spin of Stanford’s PR people. In reality Stanford withdrew for a number of reasons, but top on the list was that they learned they were about to lose the competition. Here is an excerpt from a Wall Street Journal report from this past December – right after the competition had been decided:</p>
<p>From Techcrunch.com: Based on a couple recent conversations with some well-connected Stanford alums, my understanding is that it had already become clear that Stanford and the city were not going to work things out, so the city had Stanford go ahead and say it was out as a more gracious alternative to simply losing the bid.</p>
<p>Stanford withdrew its application because of the large donation given to Cornell for this project. They knew that they were going to to lose.</p>
<p>It is much more fun skiing down a 5000 ft drop in the Sierra Nevada mountains (Lake Tahoe ski slopes are 3hr drive from Stanford) vs a 950ft drop at the Greek Peak.</p>
<p>But, that shouldn’t be the reason for selecting Stanford. :)</p>
<p>I’m siding with Colm on this one. BTW, we went to Cornell’s Admit Day over the weekend and Cornell is very impressive and beautiful. The Engineering Quad is immense and state of the art. I was just disappointed that you failed to mention that they are breaking ground on the new computer science building, Gates Hall, scheduled for opening in 2015. Geesh, I was hoping to be one of the most well-informed parents on the tour by lurking on CC.</p>
<p>If it were equal money, I’d probably choose Stanford. At the graduate student level, I think it’s better to be in a more fun area (which Stanford is in). The fact Cornell has a great campus life is less relevant to graduate students since we don’t partake in the same activities as undergrads.</p>
<p>However, 12k is not an insignificant amount of money. The cost of living is going to be much much higher at Stanford. If you are going to have trouble paying that off, then it is definitely to your advantage to go to Cornell. I’m graduating from grad school right now with debt looming and it’s scary.</p>
<p>Stanford and Cornell are both amazing schools. But on this NYC tech campus bid, Cornell did beat everyone to win - not only Stanford was in the competition but also Columbia, CMU, NYU…
How Cornell Beat Stanford (And Everybody Else) For NYC Tech Campus | Epicenter | Wired.com</p>
<p>Highlight from that article: (committee member, Next Jump CEO)</p>
<p>“The narrative floated that Stanford’s sudden withdrawal and Cornell’s last-minute alumni gift of $350 million turned the process on its head simply doesn’t seem to be true. According to Kim, while all the proposals were strong, both he and a plurality of the committee recommended Cornell’s application as the top proposal from the beginning of the process.”</p>
<p>@Norcalguy: I was indeed a bit afraid that Ithaca is less interesting for graduates than Palo Alto is. However, I often hear that you really don’t have that much time to enjoy the area you are living in. Is graduate considered to be more study intensive (as in: hours put into it) than undergrad (for a non thesis program)?</p>
<p>About the cost issue: it would all depend on this Fulbright Grant. If I get that grant, I’m more or less settled at both of them (I’d expect to get less money from Fulbright if I went to Cornell, since I already receive more). The difference in cost of living shouldn’t matter that much for a year, my parents are willing to pay that. (actually, they said they’d pay Stanford even when I would not get a Fulbright grant, but I refuse having them pay that much for me, it’s not worth it in Europe + I’ve got 3 brothers and that’d be unfair)</p>
<p>Also, out of interest: would anyone here have specific numbers on the difference in cost of living (typical rent, your average meal, …)?</p>
<p>@humanx: fair point, which I admit I had already checked :p. Still, I could see myself getting a season pass for Greek Peak and ski each sunday afternoon (I’d like to improve my technique and tricks, so routine is good), whereas trips to lake Tahoe would probably be rare. But tbh, that’s a side issue. </p>
<p>The main thing i’m afraid of is that I would be turning down a “dream University” because of a grant uncertainty (+ having my girlfriend closer). On the other hand, I have a feeling I am glorifying the “prestigious Stanford in the sunny California” where everyone’s laid back etc. a bit too much. I guess what I would like to hear is that Stanford’s really not all that special, and that Cornell is just as good :p</p>
<p>That depends on you and your specific program. I’m in med school and I still feel like I have enough time to have a social life.</p>
<p>And let’s be clear: there’s no much to do in Palo Alto either. If you want to do anything in California, you need to get a car (yet another cost). </p>
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<p>Have you looked at Palo Alto housing rates?</p>
<p>Update: contacted Stanford and told them what Cornell offered me and that I felt forced to choose Cornell because of the financial situation. They upped the offer to $16,000. </p>
<p>As it stands, Cornell would cost me $38,000 while Stanford would be $54,000 (total expenses minus financial aid). </p>
<p>At Stanford, they told me I could spread the program over 4-5 quarters and receive TA the second year (TA would be 8000-15000 aid for one quarter). However, after a quick calculation for a 4 quarter plan (1x15 + 3x10 credits), I came up with a cost of 47,000-54,000, depending on how much TA I’d get. So basically, it wouldn’t make much difference, unless I get a full TAship (50%).</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you’re looking for people to tell you. You seem to think there’s a vast difference between the school ranked 11th in the world (Stanford) and the school ranked 15th in the world (Cornell). There really isn’t, especially at the graduate level, despite what seems to be an overall dim view of Cornell on this forum by high school kids. Take it out of the context of these schools - all else being equal, would you choose Dartmouth over Princeton? Princeton has the stronger reputation but is it really going to hurt you to go to Dartmouth? Probably not.</p>
<p>Stanford’s slightly more selective (depending on the program and if they offer it) and has a bigger endowment. Stanford was modeled after Cornell when it was built, so they have similar pedigree. It’s probably a wash on the actual educational quality and geography probably determines the value of connections (Cornell has over 50,000 alumni in New York City alone, not to mention DC, Philly, and Boston; Stanford’s connections are very much rooted on the west coast. Go there if you think you’ll end up out west).</p>
<p>Cornell’s isolation has long been its most limiting factor, given that Stanford was more or less perfectly positioned near San Francisco, massive defense spending that spurred some brilliant minds and their offspring, and a snowball effect of people and funding drawn to the area that allowed Stanford to effectively capitalize on the tech industry many decades ago to build its current reputation. That will never happen again, but time will tell whether Cornell’s new tech campus will be able to at least bolster its reputation for innovation around New York City industries like fashion, media, finance, and sustainable design.</p>
<p>Given your field of study, I wouldn’t discount this new tech campus as superfluous. It could provide a huge advantage to you if you’re planning on working in sustainable energy and design on the east coast.</p>
<p>Thank you for your elaborate response, applejack. You certainly have a point, the difference is is probably quite small. It’s just that I have a feeling it still IS there, and that I’d regret one day of not having chosen the “best” option that appealed to me from the start. </p>
<p>I’m curious where you have gotten those rankings from though. I consistently see Stanford at 1-5 and Cornell at 15-20.</p>
<p>If that feeling of needing to go to the absolute best is worth $16k per year to you, then you should go to Stanford. It’s all a value judgment. Some people don’t value a couple of spots in the rankings that much. Obviously you do. So, you should choose the option that makes you feel the most comfortable.</p>
<p>The global ranking that applejack cited was probably The U.S. News World’s Best Universities ranking (based on the QS World University Rankings). Stanford is ranked 11th there, while Cornell is 15th. However, the better list for you might be the ranking of best graduate engineering schools put out by USNWR, where Stanford is 2nd, and Cornell is 10th. (I list these with the usual caveat that every ranking methodology has its flaws.)</p>