questions about Cornell

calikid070707 · 08-11-2007, 12:07 PM

hi parents...

As a native Californian, I am very unfamiliar with Cornell's connection with the state of new york. One of my parents is from the NE and briefly said that Cornell has some state schools. They both feel that paying out of state tuition to a place like ILR is not worth it since I can go to Cal for much less. I however am interested in the ILR curriculum. Thanks

CloseToTheEdge · 08-11-2007, 03:46 PM

You should perhaps look around Cornell's frequently asked questions and information pages

http://www.cornell.edu/about/facts/f...ile.cfm?id=918

Also, even if you go to CALS you can still take classes from ILR.
Cornell is a great school, I wouldn't want to go anywhere else.

marny1 · 08-11-2007, 04:21 PM

Ok Calikid- Here goes! I am a NY mom and my d is now a Senior in ILR. There is no way in heck that I can explain the relationship of the "state funded" schools at Cornell. Most of the info you receive on these boards is incorrect especially from certain posters who have an axe to grind with Cornell but here goes--
1. I can say ILR is not part of the SUNY system (I sorta wish it were as I would be paying a lot less tuition. I KNOW as I have one kid in SUNY and the other in Cornell ILR- so I know what the tuition bills are.

2. The relationship between Cornell and the State of NY goes back to the 1860's during the time of the Morrell Land Grant Act. Yes! Cornell is the Land Grant School in NYS. There was no State U in NY until 1948 so our Land Grant status was given to Cornell. I think that is the main reason people intentionally or those misinformed keep making the Cornell/SUNY connection.

3. If you are REAL interested in reading up on the Land Grant status of Cornell, there is a bunch of info on the Cornell website. It also explains the "special" relationship Cornell has with the people of NYS. History is that Land Grant Act was 1862 (?)- Cornell was established 1865. Land Grant Act gave each state 30,000 acres to develop higher ed. programs for agriculture, military and some other areas. Coincidence that Cornell was established about the same time ?? I don't think so-

4. FYI -- MIT is also the Land Grant School (in addition to U-Mass Amherst) for Mass. I don't think anyone ever mistakens MIT for a state U.

5. And finally- The ILR program at Cornell is unique. Either you get all excited about it- or it leaves you cold. How many kids are interested in Labor economics- arbitration- and History of Labor Unions??? If this curriculum works for you- then go for it!! Only you can decide if ILR is right for you. You will be graduating from Cornell- ILR. Most people would be "impressed" with that degree.

PS- You will also hear mixed things about OOS admissions. Personally, I think it is easier for OOS kids to get into ILR, Human Ec. and CALS. As there are alot less OOS kids competing with each other for over 50 % of the available spots. It just seems like everyone is from Long Island.

Coming from Ca- you have UCLA and Berkley both wonderful schools. I can somewhat relate to your parents thoughts. Is it worth spending twice as much for a Cornell degree than one from Berkley? I do not know.
I might tell you to opt for Berkley/UCLA and save the $ for grad school.

I am sure you can somewhat follow the ILR curriculum at schools like Berkley- but you might have to take courses from many disciplines including history-economics-organizational behavior etc. ILR is truly an interdisciplinary program- but it doesn't work for everybody.

Good luck- if you need more more info- just holla!
Marny

PS Just read some of your past posts- You are a strong student with high SAT's. Write a good essay showing why you are a good fit for ILR- ie Come from union household- worked with migrant workers etc- You'll get in. As I said I think OOS kids have a good shot. I don't think you need to apply ED- you'll do fine with RD. (IMO)

calikid070707 · 08-11-2007, 04:38 PM

Thanks marny--you really put things into perspective. I didn't realize how narrow the ILR curriculum was. Gomestar made it seem that ILR encompassed a wide range of topics within the social sciences. I guess I should do my research next time. Thanks

marny1 · 08-11-2007, 04:48 PM

It does- It's a wide range of the social sciences --history-economics-psychology- sociology-- but there are specific courses you gotta take. My d is now a senior, so there may have been some changes in the curriculum in the past 3 years so you GOTTA check out the ILR website. They probably give you a list of mandated courses. Again, this curriculum doesn't work for everyone-
It worked for my kid- she's contemplating Law School. A good # of ILR graduates go that route. Good luck.