I am attending UofM this fall as a freshman but I got a guaranteed transfer option from Cornell…
Which one has the bigger courseload and overall harder academics?
Ok…
I would say Cornell, depending on what your major is. UMich is a state school, while Cornell is private. Cornell is also an Ivy League. These things should be taken into consideration about what your course load will be. If you’re a CS or Engineering major, the workload will probably be similar, but Cornell’s would most likely be harder.
Ok thanks 
Which is harder? Either will have extremely challenging options – you’ll not scrape 5% of what each has to offer. It’s what you make of it. Frankly, I’d choose based on college life (Ann Arbor/UMich Wolverine fever vs. Cornell/Ivy/Ithaca) or finances. At either, you’ll find people doing the minimum as well – taking easy classes. Who cares about them?
You’re not going to make a wrong decision. You have two great options.
I’m am a Cornell alumnus and a double parent,as well as a graduate of another Ivy League school (Harvard Law). I can tell you from experience that Cornell has long had the heaviest workload in the Ivy League.
@stixvelo78 Right. I’ve been told that a lot during the college application process.