Chicago vs. Cornell HELPP

chicagoboy12 · 03-31-2008, 07:38 PM

So, I have finally reached the biggest decision in my life so far. I was accepted into Cornell (Engineering School) and UChicago. I don't have preference between the college town vs. big city. I am looking to go into business, economics, finance. Cornell engineering has the Operations Research and Information Science Engineering, and chicago has, well, Chicago Economics. 'Nuff said. I am a very social person, but perhaps am looking for a lot of intelligent people to be around, but love a party every weekend. The small classes at Chicago appeal to me, and the prestige and job recruiting appeal to me at Cornell. I will probably have 20k debt after Chicago, and maybe 10k at Cornell due to come engineering scholarships. Engineering is not what i want for a career, but the major i mentioned earlier is business-ish. I could always transfer to another school at Cornell also if i wanted. Cornell is close to home, whereas Chicago is about 9 hour drive (NY resident here).
I am most concerned with job recruiting/grad school, debt, and overall experience.
I know the decision is ultimately up to me, and I have visited both and might re-visit, but any info is appreciated!!

JHS · 03-31-2008, 08:14 PM

There's no meaningful difference w/re job recruiting and grad school (assuming that you are ultimately interested in an MBA). You know the debt difference, but honestly if you are committed enough to business to consider OR at Cornell $10K in debt is not that big a deal. There are really smart people at both schools, and really fun people, and lots of them are the same.

And everything else is really different. You should decide which academic experience you want, which type of community, and how important it is to you to be somewhat closer to home. Also, given that you seem to be in Western NY or PA, you should think about whether you would prefer a school whose typical student comes from downstate NY or the Midwest.

UCLA, Ph.D. · 04-05-2008, 09:44 PM

The schools are really even, go with less debt.

beefs · 04-05-2008, 09:46 PM

10k in debt is peanuts for what will probably be a much better academic undergraduate experience.

aristotle1990 · 04-07-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

10k in debt is peanuts for what will probably be a much better academic undergraduate experience.

Lol, beefs's starting to look like the Chicago whip.

Have you ever been to UChicago, beefs? Don't rep it unless you've tried it...

beefs · 04-07-2008, 06:42 PM

wait, whyd you wiki-link the word whip?

unalove · 04-07-2008, 06:45 PM

Chicagoboy-- AEM is probably a great program for you (it's in the Ag school, actually, but you can cross-register and play around with what you're taking).

I don't know, I read this thread and I hear Cornell, as I think it has more of what you're looking for.

aristotle1990 · 04-07-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

wait, whyd you wiki-link the word whip?

Durrr...

Quote:

a whip['s]...task is to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.

So you're the Chicago whip.

beefs · 04-07-2008, 08:44 PM

lol. i know what a whip is. i was wondering why you assumed i didnt. ill stop talking now to prevent myself from looking an ass

aristotle1990 · 04-07-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

lol. i know what a whip is. i was wondering why you assumed i didnt. ill stop talking now to prevent myself from looking an ass

I didn't assume that you didn't know what a whip was (until you asked, that is); I wiki-linked mostly for style and so as not to confuse people.

You do seem to have an uncanny propensity for getting yourself into these situations.

beefs · 04-07-2008, 09:31 PM

When'd I ask for the definition of whip

aristotle1990 · 04-07-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

When'd I ask for the definition of whip

Quote:

wait, whyd you wiki-link the word whip?

What else would this^^ refer to? It seemed likeliest that you were asking for its definition...

Whatever, this is retarded. To the OP, go with Chicago, it's better than Cornell.

beefs · 04-07-2008, 10:22 PM

No lol I was asking exactly what it says, " why did you link the word?". yea go with chicago.

JoeTrumpet · 04-08-2008, 11:48 PM

I believe, as someone also accepted to Cornell, that Chicago will provide you with the superior overall academic experience, especially if you're drawn to Chicago after reading about it and visiting it. I mean, it's such a special and unique school, and seems to differ a good amount from Cornell: I'm sure you know in yourself which sort of school you prefer, and because you're still thinking about it, you sound like you'd be happier at Chicago. As others have said, try making a pro/con list as to why you like each school. Cornell and Chicago are different enough that I think that will really help you.

But if you prefer Chicago enough to be in an additional $10,000 in debt I really can't say. That's a personal decision that I really couldn't begin to have insight into.

glomp · 04-24-2008, 12:01 AM

Honestly, think less about the $$$ and more about which place is the better fit for you.

For going into business and finance, there is probably not much of a difference between Cornell and Chicago. Your major/area of study doesn't make a difference at the undergraduate level. Firms just want someone smart that they can train.

If you want to go into economics, then UChicago is the obvious choice. For econ grad school you DO have to have prior econ training.

Regardless of which school you go to, I would recommend branching out and exploring other fields. Don't zoom in on your major immediately; try to see if there are other subjects that draw your interest. Remember: your undergraduate career is the last time in your life where it is okay to dick around and figure out what you want on a trial-by-error basis.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: go where you feel you'll be happier. Trust your gut.