Here’s the deal: I live in a big international city. I’m considering applying to Cornell and Dartmouth, but my father seems to think both universities are extremely depressing largely due to their isolated location. My father’s colleague even said his son, who attends Cornell, finds Ithaca a little too isolated. Is this true? If I’m an expat outside the United States who has grown up primarily in big international cities, will I find Cornell or Dartmouth depressing?
Also, Dartmouth vs. Cornell, which one’s better? (I know that’s a subjective question, just please let me know what you think)
Neither university is depressing. They are both located in great college towns, especially Ithaca. But if you want big city excitement then neither one is for you. Go to Columbia or Penn to avoid being “depressed”. It is a lifestyle choice.
While I’m not too knowledgeable on Dartmouth- I have several friends/family that have attended/are attending Cornell, and I find the lake region of upstate NY to be one of the most beautiful places in the states. Cornell is a huge school, too, with lots to keep one busy and people to meet, so with the right attitude I don’t see how Cornell could possibly be depressing
If you enjoy the amenities of living in a city, then Dartmouth is not for you. But if you enjoy outdoor activities and beautiful surroundings, then you would not find Dartmouth depressing. In either place, Ithaca or Hanover, you will experience long, cold winters and if that idea depresses you then perhaps schools located in the snow belt aren’t for you!
Agree that it is a personal thing. Many many people are happy at both schools. But if a person wants the action of a huge city, then maybe being in a more rural area could be depressing . If a person wants a school in a warm sunny climate then maybe being in a cold weather school could be depressing. YOU need to research the school and decide what YOU want in YOUR college experience.
Students I’ve known who have grown up in big cities have often told me that they felt bored or under-stimulated in Hanover and Ithaca. Rural schools aren’t for everyone, and fortunately there are many schools in larger population centers.
I attended a very rural school and never felt depressed or bored, but people are different, de gustibus non est disputandum, &c. @fuzzzzzzster
Having grown up and lived/worked abroad in big international cities (London, Paris, Bs As, Vienna, Tokyo, Beijing, etc. etc.) I understand what you’re talking about. Switching to a small town where there’s very little beyond the university could be a major culture shock, and compounded if the winters are long and cold (thus the “depressing” part). If you like exploring nature, upstate NY or CT is great, but if that’s not your thing, then neither might be the best place for you. If being in the bustling city is important to you I’d pick Columbia or Chicago instead, or Stanford (the latter not in bustling city, but SF is close by).
Don’t look at the negatives going from a big city to a small one. Look at the positives, then you won’t find things depressing. The natural beauty of both Ithaca and Hanover outweigh that of many big cities. The air quality, college town vibe, and peacefulness are all factors that can contribute to happiness
Some people find the long, gray winters depressing. And I’ve known some kids who didn’t get the Greek houses they wanted and were depressed about feeling that they couldn’t find their niche (which can happen at many schools). But I’ve never known anyone at either school who was depressed because of a lack of stimulation. These are schools with a LOT going on.
Are you open to the idea of a new experience, or not? That’s not to say you might not have a preference, and that’s fine, but I sense that you feel that if you don’t have experience with something, you ought to avoid it.
You’ll have to decide whether you want to stay in your comfort zone with something you know you’ll enjoy because you’re familiar with it, or have a completely new and different experience which could be awesome or not but you won’t know until you try.
Personally, I could have never attended either school for exactly the reasons you cited. There are a lot of colleges to choose from and you ought to select schools that make you feel good.
@fuzzzzzzster Ten of thousands of eager, appreciative American students will be rejected to allow international students a space at many elite institutions.
The truth is you will never have time to attend or participate in a fraction of the opportunities just on campus.
@ScaredNJDad1 it seems as though you’ve mistaken a genuine desire to enquire into the many universities I can potentially apply to as querulousness. I’m trying to gauge which universities would be a great fit for me. I’ve never visited any rural areas in the United States, and I don’t know what life is like living there. Just came here for opinions.
Neither Ithaca or Hanover are technically, intellectually or culturally “rural”.
You will find them very smart, educated and very beautiful places. There is nothing you could ever need that can’t be acquired right on campus or in town. You name it and it is right there. Those towns evolved around the needs of students.
As an international it may be hard for you to understand campus culture in the US. It is very strong, busy and stimulating, unlike virtually everywhere else in the world.
Dartmouth and Cornell are very different but neither would be close to boring.
Ironically, on city campuses there might actually be less to do that is accessible or affordable for you and the friends you make.
Travel from home however is a legitimate issue, not activities.
To the OP, are you prone to depression? If so, what things trigger can trigger it? What are you looking for in a university and what other schools are you considering? Ithaca, in a rather tongue in check way, prides itself for being centrally isolated but I wouldn’t call it rural. It’s got a bit of everything, especially with two colleges situated right in town. Both schools attract a variety of bright and talented kids and both provide many outlets for social experiences and entertainment, plus the town is quite vibrant and special as well. It’s just impossible to say whether a particular school or location may depress you without knowing more. Good luck.
I have not seen Dartmouth. Cornell is a beautiful school with about a 15 minute walk to the town of Ithaca. This is not easy to do in the winter, when it is bitterly cold outside and perhaps snowy. There is a bus but you still need to stand and wait for it. Ithaca is beautiful, with waterfalls and trails for hiking. There is also an amazing town filled with restaurants and shops. I do not find this depressing at all, but you might.
