| I did turn down Cornell for UVA. Cornell seemed so big, so cold, so far away from my southern home. I was awarded the title of Meinig Family scholar that has it's perks. But I just couldn't go there. I've heard that it is fairly cut throat and one of the hardest schools in the Ivy League. I never did visit the campus though. It's supposed to be beautiful in warm weather. During the winter though, I went to their webcam and to me it looked like Siberia. It was obviously freezing, tons of snow, gray, people bundled up fighting the weather. A Cornell grad at my Mom's work told her that he wouldn't recommend Cornell unless a student had a real strong support network close by; he was from NY. He said it can get real lonely there. That influenced my decision to some degree.
I'm sort of a romantic though, and and fell in love with the Grounds at UVA. I love it's history, the preppiness, the southern mystique. I haven't declared a major, but it will probably be biology. So I'm taking courses that you'll probably be taking next year. It's a lot of work, but not impossible, if you stay focused. I was happy with my first semester grades. UVA is friendly and very well-known.
Either school is a great choice, both prestigious. Good luck. Personally, I'd follow your heart. |