Should we pick Cornell College?

ahmorgan · 03-18-2006, 07:46 PM

Hi - my son just got notice that he has been admitted to Cornell College, and received a very good scholarship offer, based on his plans to enroll as a Theatre major. He is very comfortable with the Theatre faculty, and the new facilities are wonderful, especially for such a small school.

His other top choice is Illinois Wesleyan - also a good school, but larger, and the financials are a bit more. I'm a bit concerned that despite supposedly a good reputation, the college hasn't invested much in their Theatre facilities (which isn't everything, but DOES indicate the school priorities).

I'm thinking that the one course at a time model at Cornell could be very interesting, but it's a risk to see if it "works" for any student.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Neurotic Iowa Mom

IzzyJ · 04-02-2006, 06:35 AM

According to emails I've gotten from current Cornell College students and chats (a senior at my high school last year is a current student), the OCAAT plan actually works very well. While it may be a little difficult for language majors (at least in my mind), it really helps with making students disciplined. You can't procrastinate, you can't distract yourself with other classes and use them as justification for falling behind in another class. Also, it seems that the scheduling, where the classes don't really go late in the afternoon, helps students who want to be involved with a lot of activities. They have time to do so.

I also chat with Terri on MSN, and she seems really fun and quirky. Knowledgeable and great to listen to a prospective freshmen's questions or even drift into general conversation.

I've attended a chat for admitted students and post sometimes on the "Cornell Connection" board (does your son?) and the incoming freshmen class seem to be really nice, friendly, sweet, diverse and charming. Were you able to visit last week?

Unfortunately I don't know much about the life at Illinois Wesleyan, so I can't give you a balance feedback.

Either way, I think your son has two great choices! Congrats!

joecollegedad · 09-20-2007, 10:08 PM

ahmorgan, where did your son end up, and how does he like it so far?

ahmorgan · 09-20-2007, 10:29 PM

Well he went to Cornell - and for the most part, it has worked very well for him. His roomate was somewhat challenging, but he wouldn't push it to switch. So he survived. Academically, he has done well, and has had some terriffic opportunities, such as a course on theatre criticism during the April '07 block that was conducted in NYC - the whole class just relocated to NY, and lived in a hotel for 3 weeks.

The pace of things is quite rapid - he's in a playwriting course this block, and has to write a lot, and fast. One really good thing - he's learning not to just put an assignment away for later - he just can't do that and survive.

Probably my only real concern is that the Music department encouraged him to be in every ensemble possible (choir, orchestra, band, etc.), which stretched him too thinly - and since each of these is a GRADED activity, it hurt him when he couldn't get them all done well, while being in theatre productions (his major). I do find that a problem. But he's learning more about how to manage his commitments. Unfortunately, it means he's not in musical ensembles at all right now. Maybe he'll find a happy medium.

Good luck!

TrumpetDad · 07-14-2009, 10:07 PM

Any other comments on the Music program itself?

nepop · 07-27-2009, 01:48 PM

To the original poster's question--son and I visited. Pretty clear from talking to students and faculty that OCAAT is pretty intense. 4 hours a day, five days a week, for 3 1/2 weeks. The good--ability to focus on one thing, have to develop good, disciplined work habits, ability to do some really creative things--one professor told us that her students actually do well with finding jobs because employers find the students to be very organized and hard working. I think OCAAT actually comes closer to the work world than the structure at most colleges--work on one thing for a period of time then move on to a new project. The maybe not so good depending on the kid--we were told you absolutely cannot fall behind; if you have a class/professor you don't like, can be a tough 3 1/2 weeks; and it can be a little bit too intense (all of this was from kids who are happy at Cornell). A professor we met with said that the kids who can't handle the intensity and discipline required leave quickly. My son liked the school, but has decided that OCAAT would be too much for him.