depends on what you're looking for. if you're into the artsy scene the architects are usually at the core of the more hipster-y parties. PBR instead of Keystone, you know? haha or just hang out at the chapter house/stellas
Being a "Cornellian" means little since just about everyone is in their own world. This school is diverse, but seldom will you see a lot of interaction across the demographic spectrum. It's easy to single out Greek Life as the sole barrier, but it's not just that institution.
I tend to think attitude is the only barrier between loving and hating Cornell.
@Saugus:
1) As for not being NYC, that's an advantage for most students who didn't want a a school in a big city.
2) Agree. But I enjoy the natural beauty of Cornell more than architecture.
3) I would be cautious about who you describe as "dumb." Even our recruited athletes were by no means the academic losers in high school. You seem to be uncomfortable with the drinking environment (which is fine), but I'll warn you that some of the drunks doing stupid things on a Friday night are also setting the high bar on the curve for your classes. I think the surveys (for what they're worth) highlight that most Cornell students drink moderately most of the time and just because you're in C-town dancing it up with shots around doesn't mean you're going overboard.
And you'll quickly discover in the "real world" many geniuses do dumb things or don't project intelligence. I've known math geeks at places like Goldman (ie. REALLY smart) who do dumb things/say dumb things and aren't necessarily the most worldly people. Same can be said of smart engineers I know as well. One of the smartest people I knew at Cornell was an absolute IDIOT when partying, yet was taking graduate level math as a freshman AND at the top end of the curve.
4) Ithaca has a certain charm you can/should learn to appreciate with the right attitude.
5) Ever actually been to an artsy/intellectual environment? I have. Often involves drinking (and sometimes drugs).
6) Life without cable can be liberating. Watching sports can be frustrating though. Most major TV shows stream on the internet the next day.
7) Most dorms in most schools aren't large. I lived in dorms for 3 years at Cornell and I never had a problem with bathroom cleanliness and I generally have a high standard.
8) Realistically speaking, Cornell is not at the level of Harvard/Wharton for business reputation. The difference definitely isn't as stark as between a Cadillac and a Bentley. If Harvard is the Bentley, Cornell is like one of those high-end Mercedez-Benz. Job/recruiting prospects won't be all that much worse at Cornell.
9) We're not #1 in the rankings and don't have nearly the history. I wouldn't get too caught up in it...Yes, there is a difference between being #1 and #14. We're like Olympians, #14 may not be remembered, but #14 generally did pretty well for themselves and worked hard, probably has a good thing going for them, and likely appreciates their opportunities versus the thousands who tried to qualify and failed.
10) As has been said by others, you appreciate your degree more in hindsight with the hard work. It may be hard to keep the perspective when you're studying into the wee hours of the night only to earn a B or C. However, I've taken classes at other colleges and worked half as hard to earn an A. Those grades are meaningless to me. I can also say I no longer have much pride in my extensive high school academic accomplishments because Cornell made me realize what truly working hard to achieve means. I'd take any of my Cornell B's over any of my 99's in AP classes from high school. That said, no doubt it's frustrating at times and at least it creates a common bond between all Cornellians.
Location: Southern California -> Cornell '16! Go Big Red!
Posts: 1,954
I guess I would agree with most of that. I should probably clarify again that Cornell is actually is an amazing place and I'm extremely happy here relative to high school. I'm going to go see Sandra Fluke today, and then Howard Dean debating Rick Santorum on Thursday. After that, I get to meet them both.
Certainly can't complain about the quality of guest speakers. President of Chile, Google CEO, Charles Blow, etc.
Plus, I didn't do so badly on my Econ quiz after all, so I'm in a pretty happy mood right now.
That said, Engineers and pre-meds seem to have miserable lives. No way I could ever do that. One of my friends literally studies for 7 hours a day.
I've always viewed the "living in a giant city as a college student is awesome!!!" mentality as overrated, at least for M-F when most students are in class or in a library. Unless, of course, that student comes from a family of modest wealth and receives appropriate funding for such big city fun.
I've always viewed the "living in a giant city as a college student is awesome!!!" mentality as overrated, at least for M-F when most students are in class or in a library. Unless, of course, that student comes from a family of modest wealth and receives appropriate funding for such big city fun.
....I've always thought that this tended to seperate students of modest backgrounds from the typical student at schools of this level. Another reason I like Cornell, tends to put everyone on a more "level" playing field.
I always wished we had better musical acts in town, and that is why I was sometimes down about Ithaca's size, but besides that I think it was perfect for me. I love that I actually got to learn the ins and outs of a new place, because it's small enough you can actually take in a decent amount of it in 4 years (if you choose to.)
Hi,
If anyone can tell me if applying to two schools is in any way disadvantageous? My daughter is considering applying to both the Hum Ec school and the Ag school. I assume there is some advantage of applying to both, considering if the one turns you down, you might get into the second?
I am just worried if they see she is applying to both, they might see it as not being so serious towards one or the other? Or...could they see it as...wow ..she really wants to get in here? Any help would asap would be so appreciated. Applications are due in less than a week.
Thanks!
Big hockey weekend coming up. #2 ranked Cornell women and #7 ranked Cornell men both play at Lynah Friday and Saturday. See you at the rink. Let's Go Red!
Yes, employers of Goldman Sachs, etc. come to the school, but they aren't begging Cornell students to work for them like I bet they are at Wharton and Harvard.
Lol. This is so not true.
There are many people at my law school who went to Harvard or Princeton. Most of them came to law school, precisely because of lack of job options after graduation. Heck, my roommate is a Yale alum (government major) who was unemployed for two full years after college, and came to law school as a last resort - despite having no interest in practicing law. For him, it was either getting a job in a non-profit organization for 35-40k a year best case scenario, or go to a top law school to take a shot at a high paying corporate law job.
I would venture to guess that 99% of ppl at my law school (a top 6) would drop out of law school in a heart beat, if they can get an offer as an analyst at Goldman or McKinsey. Yes, that would include me.
Let's be real, at Goldman or McKinsey, they are only looking at candidates who went to a top school with a top GPA. Cornell is certainly on that list of "top schools." Someone with below a 3.7-3.8 at any school has virtually no chance at those firms. But if you are a top student, then I think your chances are good at those schools if you interview well. Going to Cornell with a high GPA will get your foot in the door (all you can ask for), then you have to nail the interview, which is NOT easy.
Yes. You are absolutely correct. Just to land a first round interview at a firm such as McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, you would need 3.7+ GPA even from Harvard.
It also should be mentioned, even if you make it to first round, odds are heavily against you to land an offer. At my law school, only 1-2 people got offers from McKinsey out of 65-70 people who interviewed. Here, I am talking about associate positions, not analyst positions.
Honestly though, in this hiring environment, you will be lucky to graduate college with just a decent corporate job paying 50k/yr. Even if you went to Harvard, if you majored in a non-quantitative discipline (humanities) and had unattractive GPA for consulting or finance firms, chances are overwhelming that you could face unemployment at graduation, or take a 35k/yr job doing Peace Corps or some other non profit gig.
