UMD Full Banneker/Key Scholarship vs. Cornell Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
1

<p>Hi all. </p>

<p>I am having a very hard time deciding which college to attend next fall. </p>

<p>My intended major is Computer Science, and I got into the University of Maryland- College Park with the full prestigious Banneker/Key Scholarship (Tuition, Room, Board, Books). On top of that I would also be paid $3000 a year for the Maryland Distinguished Scholarship if I choose to attend UMD. </p>

<p>My other choice is Cornell University's College of Engineering. This would cost me and my family around $25,000 a year after all aid, considerations, etc., which is still a lot for my family, since my sister is a senior at American University next year, and hopes to attend Medical School in 2011. </p>

<p>US News says the Maryland's Comp Sci is 14th, while Cornell's is 5th. </p>

<p>I would not hate going to Maryland, but I have always dreamt of the Ivy Leagues. This decision really comes down to the money. </p>

<p>What do you think I should do? I really need some advice.</p>

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<p>Well, most importantly, you need to own your decision. It seems like that will happen in either case. I believe the problems that stem from giving up one school for another occurr when one is coerced in some way.</p>

<p>To me, it seems like MD is the better option. It is not as if you are choosing between comp sci at MIT and comp sci at Middle State Nowhere University. MD’s comp sci program is Top 20 and a degree from it won’t shut you out of ANY opportunities. You can be making 6 figures as a graduate from either. </p>

<p>Also, MD is not too shabby in the engineering and other sciences. So, even if you don’t stick with comp sci, MD has strong programs in that general area of interest.</p>

<p>I also believe Maryland is in a superior location (DC) and has superior weather. The internship, cultural, etc. options in DC are amazing. </p>

<p>Clearly, it is the superior price. While as a comp sci major you will probably either not need to go on to graduate school or will have an employer pay for graduate school, if you do change your mind and decide to go onto law or med you’ll have money in the bank. Additionally, it gives you more flexibility in terms of relocating for internships, taking unpaid internships, relocating for a job, etc. In general, more money opens more doors, I think.</p>

<p>Cornell, though not most known for its humanities programs, probably has stronger classes in those areas. Additionally, MD’s comp sci building/surrounding area is pretty ugly. I don’t know if Cornell’s looks better or not. To me those don’t seem like strong enough reasons to consider Cornell over UMD but eh. </p>

<p>Good luck. Two great options. Make the choice your own :).</p>

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<p>I’m having a similar dilema- </p>

<p>I got into the Honors program at UMD (not a full ride though, just a $5,000 scholarship) and into the Material Sciences Engineering program. At Cornell I also got accepted into their Engineering School for Mat.Sci. </p>

<p>My uncle was an engineering professor at Cornell and says that within the field, the program have equal merit. Within the engineering programs specifically, there is no real difference between Cornell and UMD. </p>

<p>However, being an Ivy, Cornell does provide a certain degree of ‘connections’ that UMD does not have. On the other hand, UMD is outside of a city while Cornell is in the gorges town of Ithaca, which in all honesty lacks the sort of opportunities offered in a city. </p>

<p>Being a Banneker Scholar is a HUGE prestige that opens a lot of doors-you’re the one of the most ‘honored’ students at UMD while at Cornell, you’re just like everyone else. Not only is this attractive to employers, but to Grad schools as well. </p>

<p>In the end, however, if you feel that Cornell is truly the place for you (it does have a nicer campus, and a more academically-focused atmosphere in my opinion) and your parents are willing to pay, then by all means go Ivy. I know in my case, I want Cornell but my family is unsure if we’d be able to pay the tuition-in which case I’d go to UMD. </p>

<p>It’s hard, and I hope I’ve been helpful. I’m still stuck too, but in the end, I’ve come to realize that neither choice is a bad one.</p>

<p>(and remember, you can always go to Cornell for Grad School if you go to UMD)</p>

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<p>I’m sure that Cornell certainly has “connections”, but at UMD you could possibly do research or internships at the same time you are going to school, there’s so much in the DC area…and the faculty may have more day-to-day “connections” with these places… just a thought.</p>

<p>“prestige that opens a lot of doors-you’re the one of the most ‘honored’ students at UMD while at Cornell, you’re just like everyone else. Not only is this attractive to employers, but to Grad schools as well” – I can’t agree more. When D1 was looking at schools, someone compared it to being a VIP at the Holiday Inn vs. being a “regular guest” at a swanky hotel. In her case, the VIP thing has worked out pretty well…</p>

<p>It would be hard to justify the additional $$ to go to Cornell.</p>

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<p>I’ve already said this but I don’t think Cornell is going to open more doors for you than MD. I doubt highly that an Ivy, just by virtue of being an Ivy, has more “connections” in the engineering world. If it does, the resume-boosting B/K scholarship+proximity to two major metro areas (in MD’s favor) probably balances it out. For engineering/comp sci - trust me, those classes and the people you meet in them will be staunch academics! - it would indeed be hard to justify the extra money at Cornell. I could, however, see it being worth it for certain other discplines…so if you are not sure you’re sticking with comp sci/engineering and want to move into certain other fields Cornell could be a better choice. But then, money plays an even bigger factor, since those “other disciplines” Cornell has an edge in probably won’t be making you as much money as comp sci/engineering haha.</p>

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<p>Lots of job/internship/research opportunities close by at Maryland. Some of the very best students in Maryland end up at College Park.</p>

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<p>@mithopeful81,</p>

<p>I’m a full B/K just like you and I just made my choice. I’ll be accepting the Maryland offer this week over Duke and WashU. If you were considering offers from Yale or Harvard, then maybe I’d still be thinking … but Cornell? BTW, I am still on the Harvard waitlist, … if they call, I’ll take it! :)</p>

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<p>I’m going with the traditional advice of “don’t spend the money if you don’t have to.” Go to Maryland.</p>

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<p>About Cornell being better for networking, that it true–sort of.</p>

<p>At a smaller school with greater prestige, opportunities will come to you more easily. But there are plenty of opportunities at UMD as well; you just have to work harder for them. You will need to stick out from the rest of the students in your class. Since you’re a B/K scholar, I imagine it shouldn’t be too hard for you as long as you’re willing to put in the effort. But if you just plan on doing the bare minimum to get a degree and nothing else, then yes a degree from Cornell would be more valuable than one from Maryland.</p>