What makes Cornell unique?

<p>I'm trying to decide between Cornell a couple of other schools (which I am intentionally not naming, I don't want to hear people argue against those schools, just for Cornell), and my problem with Cornell is that there doesn't seem to be anything really unique or special about it. It is strong academically, has a agreat campus, and kids who go there seem to like it, but these are all pretty pedestrian characteristics. I can't find anything about the school that makes a (to quote the packet they sent us) "case for Cornell" that is really compelling. Can anyone point out a few things to help me? Thanks.</p>

<p>The fact is, Cornell has been able to successfully realize ol' Ezra's vision... it is one diverse place...(hence its hard to make singular generalizations about it)</p>

<p>But this is its beauty... if you are a normal kid who will grow emotionally and intellectually during your college years then Cornell affords an unparalelled opportunity to explore... it's breadth is simply remarkable!</p>

<p>Obviously, you will not be able to take all the courses across the range, but you will be able to dabble... and perhaps most importantly... you will befriend a WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE PURSING A WIDE VARIETY OF ACADEMIC INTERESTS...</p>

<p>The only way I can describe it is to say that it is more akin to the REAL WORLD... after college you will meet and interact with a lot of people from different fields... Cornell prepares you for this better then perhaps any other top ranked university...</p>

<p>Hope that helps,</p>

<p>Wharf</p>

<p>In how many other schools can you switch your major from engineering to farming when you realize you dont like physics? </p>

<p>How many other schools have a view that compare to the one from the top of the clocktower?</p>

<p>How many other schools have food that is good beyond belief?</p>

<p>How many other schools make their own icecream and bread?</p>

<p>How many other schools have a giant sledding hill smack in the middle of campus?</p>

<p>How many other schools have a student-run hotel on campus that top hospitality industry firms send their management to for training?</p>

<p>How many other schools...yea you get the picture. One could go on forever naming things cornell stands out in. Ask a question about a specific area and it will be easier for people to give you details on it. For example, what are you interested in studying, what kind of social life are you looking for?</p>

<p>I guess those are good things...but I don't think I'd choose a school because it has good food and makes its own ice cream.</p>

<p>For social life, I'd like variety and options. I don't want to be stuck doing the same thing every night and I want to have a lot of different choices - parties, bars, clubs, etc. </p>

<p>Academically, I'm totally undecided. Eventually I'll probably wind up studying business or economics, but I'm really not sure at this point.</p>

<p>You'll have parties, bars, AND clubs... because Ithaca is a college town. In the college town alone, there are 5-6 bars I can name off the top of my head, there are parties every weekend,... I'm sure you get the idea.</p>

<p>RegisNYC...I'm thinking about business as well. I can't seem to find a major at CAS that appeals to me. I applied to Cornell wanting to do CALS but changed my mind after this horrible year of microbiology.</p>

<p>college scholar...</p>

<p>I dont know if cornell would be right for you. You are obviously a city kid, and i've run into a lot of city kids who are always whining about how much they love home and miss the fast-paced lifestyle. That said, plenty of other kids from NYC love it. Just make sure its the right place and that its a good fit for you or you will be unhappy.</p>

<p>that's fairly competitive to get into though. plus, i really don't know what i'm doing and the following paragraph confuses me:</p>

<p>The selection committee tries to choose students who will make the best use of the program. It is rarely more than lukewarm to the "I don't know what to do, so let me in" and the "I need to get out of X because I don't like it" applications. It does admit students who have no firm plans but who seem bright, mature, interested, and capable of handling the shock of having no guidelines. </p>

<p>So does that mean it's good to be undecided or I need to be somewhat passionate about something already?</p>

<p>Hmmm if you've seen Cornell's viewbook and website and you're still not turned on, then yeah, there may not be anything "unique" to you and we can't convince you otherwise. Still, for some of us, being served good (ok, greaaaat) food and homemade (college-made??) ice cream is a big plus. :)</p>