What is it like to go to Cornell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I'm thinking about applying to Cornell, but I'm not sure if it is the right fit for me or not. Cornell has the best architecture program in the U.S., but other than that, there's not much motivating me to go there (I think). I've never visited the campus though, so I could be completely wrong. For those of you who go there, or have at least visited:</p>

<ol>
<li>Is there a strong sense of community at Cornell? Are people generally friendly and laid-back or are they pretty intense about grades and competition?</li>
<li>What do people do for fun? I think I enjoy things that are more associated with the city (music festivals, movies, art exhibits, shopping, etc.). Are parties the dominant social scene?</li>
<li>Is the weather completely unbearable for someone who lives in Texas and experiences snow like 2 days per year?</li>
</ol>

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<p>There are numerous threads on this topic already posted here.</p>

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<p>^^agreed. just do some searches. there’s even one on the first page.</p>

<p>I guess I’ll address architecture in particular though. I mean first things first you’d have to get in–it’s the best in the country, as you said. Definitely apply. Decide whether you want to come or not once you get in. That’s what I did. </p>

<p>I’m not an architect, I’m FSAD (fashion design), but there are some similarities in terms of the programs being specific and studio-based, and I know a fair amount of archies. </p>

<p>Cornell and Wash U were the only two fashion programs I applied for, everywhere else I’d be art history, because I didn’t want to go to a technical school. I wanted a real college education. I also really wanted to go to school in a city, and so I almost went to Tufts. It was only after visiting and meeting people in my program that I decided to come here. An amazing program at a great school is hard to turn down…</p>

<p>Architecture is definitely one of the hardest majors. This because unlike other majors, there aren’t exams, it’s all studio work and project based and that means a lot of time (this is the same for my major). You will be in studio a lot. You will pull all nighters. I’ve gone several days without sleep before, and it’s the same sort of thing. </p>

<p>The flip side is you become extremely close with everyone in your major (which is relatively small)–you work together, and you basically live together in studio. It’s like your own very intense mini family within Cornell, which is great since this is a big school and most people have to actively search for that sort of group environment (clubs, greek life, etc.). </p>

<p>Archies have all sorts of traditions and their own little culture. They have their own parties, I’ve been to a good number and they’re really fun. Dragon Day is also a big deal. So basically, if you’re looking for community as an architecture major it’s basically built in, and so are some aspects of social life. Many architects still join sororities/fraternities too–the girls are very spread out but I feel like all the boys always end up in DX–and that’s always another sense of community that’s nice to have at Cornell. </p>

<p>Parties are definitely the dominant social scene, and bars once you’re an upperclassman. There’s always tons of things to do though–$3 movies at Cornell cinema, Cinemapolis is this cute little indie theater downtown, lots of concerts/music events not only at Cornell but also in Ithaca (and at Cornell you could get involved with CCC which decides who to bring and organizes the concerts, or same with Fanclub Collective for indie shows), if you’re into art you can get involved with the Johnson (I have a friend who organizes their exhibit opening events), Petrunes is a great vintage store downtown, you could get involved with our Fashion Show or the fashion magazine on campus–architects often design the stage/runway for the show (which gets ~3000 people in attendance) and there are a couple of archies doing layout for the magazine. Basically—you can do just about anything here if you really want to. Sometimes it sucks not being nearer to a city, but only rarely. You’ll come to terms with it once you go on a wine tour, and then try to go on as many more as you can before you graduate and move to a city. </p>

<p>You will definitely be stressed out, but you’re won’t be alone–you’ll have a lot of close friends helping you out, and there are a lot of fun things to do. I’ve said before Cornell is a love/hate relationship, and for architects it’s definitely that to the nth degree. Also, random but you typically do your 4th year in Rome–my friends are there now and they’re having a blast.</p>

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<p>Oh, and everyone should watch this. [This</a> Is on Vimeo](<a href=“http://www.vimeo.com/23897683]This”>http://www.vimeo.com/23897683)</p>

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<p>alamode:
Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for. I do know that there’s a lot of threads about this, but not very much specifically on my major. I was actually considering not even applying at all, but now I think I’m gonna give Cornell a shot.</p>

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<p>definitely apply! that’s what I always feel compelled to tell all the tour-takers, even though I don’t cuz that would be intrusive.</p>

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<p>Hi, I was wondering how difficult it is to get into FSAD. I saw that you are a FSAD student @alamode. How many students typically apply and get in? Also does it help if you apply ED? How important is the portfolio? I hope you are able to anwser a few of my many questions. lol sorry…hope its not too many. Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>I can’t really say how difficult it is to get in, because I have no idea how many people apply. I don’t know if it makes any difference if you apply ED, I didn’t. I don’t really know how important the portfolio is–I, along with many others, didn’t know how to sew before coming here so my portfolio was mostly art-based and some fashion illustrations. I would assume you could get in either with a great portfolio + decent grades or great grades + decent portfolio. I think more important is explaining in your humec essay why you want to go to cornell for fsad rather than an art/fashion school. </p>

<p>It’s a very small program that not many people know about. Personally, my feeling is that it’s pretty easy to get into because of this, but that it is basically very much self selective–the only people who really apply are those who have taken the time and effort to find out about fashion-related programs at good schools, and thus tend to be great students who are interested in fashion but don’t want to sacrifice their education. They also tend to have other interests outside of just fashion, i.e. history, science, sports, singing, etc. and don’t want to get stuck at a fashion/art school for four years. </p>

<p>In terms of how many people get in, well, I’m not sure, but there are about 20-30 students max per entering class. The program is extremely difficult and time consuming, so many students tend to switch out of the major by the end of freshman year. I’m a senior and my class now consists of 9 designers and ~6 management; we started with something like 20 designers and 10 management.</p>

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<p>Thank You for posting that video - very inspirational and will forward to my daughter if she gets into ED on Thursday! finger’s crossed.</p>

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<p>WOW! thank you so much. that really helped me. I applied ED and am crossing my fingers. Ive been wanting this program for several years now. I have legacy at Cornell and love the school just as much as I love designing. Maybe my legacy will help a little?? Just have to wait and see i guess. Just like you said…I hope that my strong portfolio(given that I also sew a lot) and good, not great record will set me apart. The only think weighing me down is my standardized test score, which are average, not great. Besides that I have a 4.0 gpa our of 4.0.<br>
Thanks again for your help…Im just sooo soooo nervous, since i want it sooo badly!!!</p>

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<p>Nah, 2 of my roommates are from Texas, and they only complain maybe once every few weeks. Then again, these winters are probably not what you’d consider a ‘normal’ Cornell winter.</p>

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<p>Love. That. Video</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>I would say that there IS indeed a strong sense of community at Cornell, but sometimes you’ll have to put yourself out there to discover it/utilize it. The academic support here is phenomenal and most professors are super nice about helping out with classwork. I’m also a fan of the advising system though I know it doesn’t turn out great for everyone… and among the students, most if not all students find/form a group fairly quickly. Cornell’s super social and a fairly large school, which helps facilitate community bonding. </p></li>
<li><p>As for fun, like alamode said, parties are definitely the primary source of entertainment from Thursdays-Sundays… but there are also other things to do, too. Alamode summed them up really well, haha, but I personally like to go to the mall, go to Collegetown/Commons for a nice dinner, watch a movie at the Cornell cinema, go to acapella concerts, or just hang out with friends in their dorms. I haven’t been to the Johnson yet but I think you’d really like it if you’re into art.</p></li>
<li><p>Ithaca’s weather is pretty meh in comparison to where I’m from, too. But it’s not terrible; I think the rumors might be a bit exaggerated. Of course, I’m a freshman and the worst part of winter hasn’t really hit yet… nonetheless there are a lot of kids from Cali here who are doing fine, for what it’s worth.</p></li>
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<p>Howdy fellow Texan! There’s a lot of us here at Cornell; especially from Dallas. You can’t really call what happens in Texas snow compared to Ithaca. I found the snow more cool than a nuisance. It made a snarky person like me gasp in wonder at some of the views around Ithaca. I’m gonna go ahead and be a tool and call it magical. </p>

<p>If you do come please bring some brisket 'cause you ‘ain’t gettin’ it here! :-D</p>

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<p>Good luck to newly admitted members of the Class of 2017, and enjoy the above video!</p>

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<p>Bump…</p>

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<ol>
<li><p>As has been previously said, I agree that there is a strong sense of community at Cornell, but you have to get out of your dorm to find it! I think people are surprisingly laid-back but it depends on your major since some courses are curved and others aren’t. For instance, many science courses are curved, so you will find people complaining that they only got X standard deviations above the mean. In this situation, your grade depends on everyone else’s so people tend to be more competitive. In many humanities courses, the grades are not curved, so there is a lot less of a competitive atmosphere.</p></li>
<li><p>I come from a city and originally had trouble adjusting to the thought of not shopping and going to movies initially. However, there are several movie theaters in Ithaca including the Cornell Cinema which is cheap and convenient (it’s like a real movie theater). Shopping options are limited but there is an Urban Outfitters. Also there is online shopping which is great! The Johnson is like a real art museum and they hold fun events. For instance, they held a Madmen night this semester! People also go for nice dinners and there are some pretty delicious restaurants. The party scene is dominant, but you can make a city experience in Ithaca if you try. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m from a colder climate and probably complain more than people who come from warmer places!</p></li>
</ol>

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<p>There’s definitely no reason you should need to adjust to not going to the movies at Cornell! Any big popular film is playing at the theater in the mall, and any current independent/artsy/international sort of films are at Cinemapolis downtown in the commons; both are easily accessible by bus. I can’t imagine what more you could want.</p>

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<p>Best of luck to all RD applicants!</p>