<p>I hope everyone who is considering Cornell gets a chance to visit on Cornell days. It’s a good idea to read the Daily Sun-but also be sure to read the Ithaca Journal–both are available online. The local papers will give you a good idea about life at Cornell and in Ithaca. Make sure to read today’s opinion post from “anonymous grad student.” For a more light hearted look at life on the hill check out Ithaca College’s parody of Cornell on their Tv station.</p>
<p>Cornell is a great place and it will open many doors for you–career, romantic (I know of many Cornell marriages), friendship, community service, more education–around the world and throughout your lifetime. </p>
<p>Nowhere is perfect, and Cornell is not the right place for everyone. Some Caveats: you need a strong work ethic, good study habits, and the ability to take care of yourself. It helps if you love to be outdoors. You also need the ability to deal with a ridiculous level of administrative red tape–and in this case Cornell has room for much improvement. Cornell desperately needs to update its information systems. </p>
<p>There is also an undercurrent of --those in positions of power taking unfair advantage of those with lesser power–call it what you will. Some employees think nothing of taking their frustrations out on students and other employees–in ways that would be completely unacceptable in most settings. This may have gotten worse recently because of the economy. This may also be the result of Cornell’s isolated location and its position as the main employer in the area. It may also just be a result of upstate New York meets the world (hey, I’m from upstate originally so I get this). I would think with the ILR School, the Hotel School and the Johnson School, Cornell would have some resident expertise in the area of HR and could work a little harder on solving this problem.</p>
<p>The beautiful–almost everyone at Cornell-students, faculty, staff- looks to be physically fit due to the required long walks, steep hills, fantastic physical fitness offerings, and really great food.</p>