Hey! I’m accepted to Cornell, Dartmouth and Northwestern this year, but I’m having a hard time choosing among the three. Could someone here give me some advice?
I’m a Chinese student but I lived in the States for one year. My potential major is math/physics/computer science, and I’m likely applying to grad school in the future. Here are some things that I really value:
- major rankings
- accessibility of research opportunities (especially in cs/physics)
- community. Which school would be easiest for me as an Asian student to fit in?
- internship opportunities.
- Overall reputation. I referred to U.S. News rankings when I applied, but I also heard that many think that Ivys’ always the best. How do you guys think?
I’d really appreciate any further information!
Btw, I didn’t apply for FA when I was applying because that would hurt my chances of getting in. Can I still apply for it during my sophomore, junior and senior years at Cornell?
I live in Ithaca, where Cornell is located, and my son just got accepted to Cornell. We know a lot of Cornell students and professors. Also, I drive my son to campus often as he has an activity there. Cornell is extremely diverse and Ithaca is a very cosmopolitan small city. I see a lot of Asians (I am one of them) living here and see numerous Asian students on Cornell campus. It is a very Asian friendly University and location. Also, Cornell emphasizes community and is a tight nit one at it so it’s very inclusive for any student. I hope this helps.
@Radadd0
Thank you very much! Do you know anything about its research opportunities?
Hi, I’m currently a junior in the College of Engineering at Cornell and my decision came down to Cornell vs. NU during my senior year. Cornell is particularly strong in CS (if you haven’t yet, read about the recently completed Bill & Melinda Gates Hall) and Physics (with faculty like Steve Squyres, principal investigator on Mars Rovers), and I believe the mathematics department is also highly regarded but have less first-hand knowledge.
In terms of research, I think that literally EVERYONE that I know who expressed interest in research was able to join a lab. Undergraduate research is a huge component of undergraduate education at Cornell and there are many student organizations and university initiatives campus that promote it (e.g. CURB, RCPRS). I’m obviously biased, but I think that Cornell stands out among your choices if you’re interested in physics/CS research as an undergraduate.
Ultimately, they’re all very good schools and you should visit if possible before deciding. I think that Cornell and NU are more similar than Dartmouth, but they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Congratulations on being admitted and good luck with your decision!
@Billium
Thanks so much for your advice!!! I’m leaning towards Cornell for its great math/science program, but the other two have their advantages too. I’m sure you love Cornell, but would you mind telling me some weaknesses of it (and of NU if possible) so that I can be prepared and well-informed?
- major rankings
I imagine Cornell leads in your areas of interest. But undergrad rankings of particular majors don't really mean much IMO; there is not much to them, if you look.
- accessibility of research opportunities (especially in cs/physics)
I don;t know. Asking here is good, but suggest also ask at the departments, in detail, if/when you visit.
- community. Which school would be easiest for me as an Asian student to fit in?
I imagine there are a lot more asian students at Cornell, but one can look that up. As for how they "fit in", in each case, that would require visits to determine probably.
- internship opportunities.
Don't know really, but hypothetically:
-Cornell CS might have good ones, for summer, due to high-rated CS department
- Dartmouth might have good opportunities, since its "quarter/D-plan"system allows students to do internships when others can't. So I've read.
- Northwestern might offer the opportunity for school year internships, due to its proximity to Chicago. However time to do that would be quite limited due to academic demands, I imagine.
- Overall reputation.
That's a matter of perception, and people will have varying opinions.
In China, well I don’t live there, but I would assume Cornell has the best reputation. A university’s graduate programs seem to figure in prominently into its reputation overseas, IMO. Dartmouth is teeny and has very small graduate programs of virtually no repute.Whereas Cornell has long-standing well-regarded graduate programs in science, engineering and agriculture- fields that may have made an impression in China . I think Northwestern has historically not been as prominent overseas but I may be mistaken.
If it matters,Cornell alums include Hu Shih and a former president of Taiwan.
Within the United States, many people here distinguish more finely between undergraduate and graduate education. For undergraduate, IMO, Dartmouth is (a little) more “elite” of the three overall, with the other two being considered virtually the same (and also very strong), these days. However, your particular fields of interest are among those where Cornell’s reputation is the strongest.
@monydad
Thank you so much!! I’m thinking of going to grad school in the future. Would it be easier for me to get in Cornell’s grad school if I go to its undergrad? And yes, I guess Cornell is the most well-known in China, but many who are going abroad know that Dartmouth and NU are good schools.
- major rankings- I doubt someone would be able to objectively identify the differences between #1 and #2, #3 and #6, and #10 and #12. Ignore rankings.
- accessibility of research opportunities (especially in cs/physics)- You will have great access to research at all schools.
- community. Which school would be easiest for me as an Asian student to fit in?- Asians are ORM at all three.
- internship opportunities- Will be of the same caliber at each school
- Overall reputation. I referred to U.S. News rankings when I applied, but I also heard that many think that Ivys' always the best. How do you guys think?- US News rankings change every year. What will you do when they change? Transfer? Again, ignore rankings. Don't worry what "people" think. Notice how the people who "think" that are typically not the ones in power. Half of the schools ranked above Brown and Cornell are not ivy league colleges.
You need to visit each school and see you how feel. People who are actually in hiring positions know the quality of education you will receive at each school.
Aside from prestige, what do you want in a school? You will spend the next 4 years of your life there. What do you ACTUALLY want? Weather? Student body size? Class size? Sports? Greek life (Greek life is huge at Dartmouth and Northwestern and is fairly prominent at Cornell)? Party atmosphere? Rural? Urban? Suburban? (Evanston and Ithaca are very different. Evanston is much more lively and is in close proximity to a city. Ithaca is relatively isolated.) General educations classes as a freshman or do you want to choose your curriculum?
"Would it be easier for me to get in Cornell’s grad school if I go to its undergrad? "
Not at all clear. The physics department used to say (years ago) that they didn’t like taking their own undergrads because it is better for the students to get ideas from other departments, not just the same people. This was not just Cornell, lots of top schools had those types of policies. But then I thought I saw some undergrads actually going on to grad school there. The policies may vary by department, and they may well be all different now. You should ask at the schools/ departments about what their current policies/practices are in this regard.
But after spending four years at Dartmouth or Northwestern or Cornell some people might not mind being “forced” to go to Berkely or Cal Tech (or someplace else warmer) for grad school.
The eliteness of these schools is the same. You will be fine choosing either of them.
@monydad
haha I wouldn’t mind changing to Caltech. I was rejected by it in early round
@CaliCash
Thanks for the reply! I’m in Shanghai until August so I can’t visit schools. I’m used to city life since I spent 17 years of my life in Shanghai, but I think I like rural life as well (last year I was an exchange student at a very isolated private high school in the States and I enjoyed that experience). The one thing I’m clear is that I don’t like party schools:) I like socializing but not the wild kind of socializing, and I want to study hard in college. Is there ways that I can make up for not visiting campus? Would it be weird if I email the department head of these schools and ask about their programs? And what does ORM stand for (excuse my English:p)?
“The one thing I’m clear is that I don’t like party schools”.
Be aware that, while there is a wide range of student conduct at Cornell, there are plenty of “work hard, play hard” types, and for many that includes at least some amount of partying. By reputation Northwestern is probably comparable, and Dartmouth moreso.
That does not mean you will be forced to do anything you don’t want to, or that there aren’t plenty of people there that are not involved in partying. But if you have issues with even seeing that kind of conduct around, you will probably be displeased, At all three schools.
However most students do indeed study hard,. At all three schools. One does not absolutely preclude the other.
@monydad
No I don’t mind seeing such students. I guess I’m just not one of them. Everyone lives a different life and I don’t want to judge others. It would just be great if I won’t feel like an outsider if I don’t party hard.
ORM= over-represented minority