What is Cornell really like?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I've just been accepted to Cornell as a transfer (yay!). Now I'm trying to make the final decision on whether or not I'm going to attend. I'm still waiting on a couple schools, but I'm very excited about Cornell. I was never actually able to visit campus unfortunately, so I can't say for myself what the atmosphere is like. </p>

<p>I've read a million different things with two disparate responses to Cornell--that it's science geared, but none of the classes are very fulfilling or intimate, the people are high stress and super partiers/fratty (I'm not into that.) that aren't very curious people, and that the weather is beyond miserable. On the other hand, I've heard that the people are more normal maybe than some of the other ivies and obviously bright, the creative writing is good (I'm English/writing, but thinking about business), and that there is actually a lot to do in Ithaca. </p>

<p>Questions: What is the social scene like overwhelmingly? (I know everyone says "you can find your people," but I heard that about my current school and struggled.) Is the weather really that miserable? (I like snow, but I didn't grow up in the very North.) Are the classes small/enlightening enough? What about majors other than engineering?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>My D2 transferred there, into CAS, and had a good experience there.
A key factor for any transfer student anywhere should be social integration.
The size of Cornell is helpful in this regard, since there will be a lot of other incoming transfer students with a common need to make new social connections. Unlike the people who have already been at their university for two years.
D2 met people via social functions for new transfer students. She even met someone who became a good friend on the enrollment line! The best way to find people is by doing things, besides classes, where you connect with them in a more personal way. This can be outside activities and part-time jobs, for example. D2 also met people via her various housing arrangements.</p>

<p>A nice thing about coming in as a transfer, if you are so inclined, is it is a lot easier to completely bypass the fraternities altogether, if they are not your thing. They mostly come up on the radar when you are a freshman, prior to and in preparation for pledging. After that you need have nothing to do with them. My D2 never went to a fraternity event there at all. Though their members are there on campus of course, and in your classes. You might like some of them! But they are not a majority anyway.</p>

<p>She liked the English and Creative Writing courses, and her courses generally. She had classes that were small. Overall though, the classes were not small.</p>

<p>This is the weather.
<a href=“Ithaca Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New York, United States) - Weather Spark”>Ithaca Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (New York, United States) - Weather Spark;
<a href=“Ithaca, NY Weather - USA.com™”>Ithaca, NY Weather - USA.com™;

<p>I just re-watched that vimeo “This Is” video, and I experienced the place pretty much the way they describe it:
“This is a place where the sun shines far too little
and where it snows far too much.
But there’s beauty in it
and when it shines-there is LIFE”</p>

<p>In the Fall it was the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived.
I loved Ithaca in the summer too, I stayed there several summers. My daughter loved Ithaca too. she stayed there several years after graduation.</p>

<p>YMMV.</p>

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<p>@monydad, thank you so much for the detailed response! It is a beautiful place. </p>

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<p>Agree with @monydad that the large number of transfers makes the transition easier. I believe they house transfer students together, host events? I wasn’t a transfer but I knew transfers, although I didn’t learn of one friend’s transfer status until years after Cornell. </p>

<p>And, to offer an alternative opinion on the Greek life, sophomores can and do rush along with the freshmen in January, so if that is something you decide you would like to pursue, the option does exist.</p>

<p>Can you attend Cornell Days? They start tomorrow and run through the Monday after Easter. Spending a day and night on campus might answer many of your questions. </p>

<p>Also, you mention that you might be interested in business. While there are business courses offered in at least five of the undergrad colleges, there is now a formalized U/G business minor offered by Dyson:
<a href=“Applied Economics and Management Degree Program | Cornell Dyson”>Applied Economics and Management Degree Program | Cornell Dyson;

<p>I don’t know that I would say that Cornell is all science. There are so many different and interesting majors that I didn’t feel as though any one group dominated. And, yes, Jan through March weather is one of Cornell’s least attractive aspects.</p>

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<p>Just one amendment to the above : when D2 came, transfers were not necessarily housed together, they were scattered among upperclassmen dorms… But she arrived there for the Spring semester, it might well be different in the Fall. In the Spring they were probably just filling housing vacancies wherever they popped up.
IIRC there used to be a dedicated “transfer house” but they don’t have that anymore.</p>

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<p>and to add to the formalized business minor - it is absolutely open to all the schools in Cornell, not just Dyson</p>

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<p>@mhmm—The Dyson school’s U/G business minor is open to students at all schools except SHA as that program is a business major. I was trying to think about all the places one can study business at Cornell and came up with: ORIE in Engineering, PAM in Hum Ec, Dyson in Ag, ILR, and SHA. Stretching the definition a little could extend to CRP within AAP. (<a href=“Departments & Fields of Study: City and Regional Planning| - Cornell University - Acalog ACMS™”>Departments & Fields of Study: City and Regional Planning| - Cornell University - Acalog ACMS™)</p>

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<p>@CT1417, no unfortunately I won’t be able to attend Cornell days. Thank you everyone for your responses! I’m going to try to visit as soon as possible.</p>

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<p>Just returned from Cornell Days. Absolutely LOVED my experience. People were pretty friendly, weather was gorgeous, TONS of things to do/places to see. So excited for the fall now! If you’re visiting, do it soon, now is the perfect season!</p>

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<p>Don’t forget Econ in CAS.</p>

11

<p>@Boester22, do you mind me asking if you are from a small town or a city? I’m from a big city, and I’m wondering how I’ll feel about Ithaca since I’ve never been. It seems nice, though!</p>