Fit at Cornell? (vs. WashU or Rice)

Colleges & Universities Cornell University
1

Hi everyone, I’m having a lot of trouble choosing the college I want to go to.

I’m between Rice, WashU, and Cornell, and as of right now I am leaning toward WashU and Rice over Cornell due mostly to perceptions I’ve gotten based on visiting Cornell, reading online forums, and doing general research (watching videos, reading threads, looking at Cornell’s website, talking to alumni, etc).

Until I got into Cornell, I was always sure I’d be more comfortable at a “smaller” school, where faculty have more personal relations with students and students can easily gain access to research. Cornell, even though I would be in the College of Arts and Sciences which only has around 1,000 people in it, is a very big school to me. I’m worried I’ll have trouble finding my niche. I’m a generally shy, introverted person who doesn’t like parties or drinking and doesn’t really like the idea of a social environment “dominated by frats”, as many people online (and even some alumni I 've talked with) say. When I visited, I also didn’t really see much appeal to Ithaca (am I wrong in thinking this?). The residential life at Cornell also sounded like a barely controlled nightmare, with the housing process being difficult to manage and with many students being kicked off campus. Even freshman housing sounded bleak when compared to the Residential College system at Rice or the nice dorms at WashU.

The only reasons why I think I haven’t eliminated Cornell from my list of colleges 1) the prestige (world-class faculty, access to research, good graduate school and employment name value), 2) it may be stronger than WashU or Rice in some of the programs I am interested in. I love English (especially creative writing), East Asian studies (I’ve self-taught myself Japanese and am looking to learn more!), Physics, and International Relations. Cornell is highly ranked for all of these programs. WashU and Rice might be “sub-par”, but I don’t know if that is a real conclusion or it’s just based off of rankings (which I am inclined to not trust very much).

Basically, I feel like my fear/uncertainty of the social scene at Cornell is going to make me choose WashU or Rice (both great schools in their own ways) over Cornell, even if that means sacrificing what might be better programs/teachers/opportunities.

When I visited Cornell, everyone looked very stressed out and sad, it was cold, some of the buildings looked well-worn and exhausted – part of me just feels like a mid-west/southern school like WashU or Rice, both said to have very happy and supportive students, might be a more “comfortable” environment for me. But will I be missing opportunities that I would regret?

Just a note, I’ve lived and studied in Houston since I was 6, but I also lived in Canada and Colorodo for periods of time, so I’m sure weather won’t be too much of a problem. However, I do think I’m tempted by the idea of having easy access to my family – who live in Houston – while I’m in college, so perhaps that factor is very important as well in my decision (leans my decision a bit towards Rice and even WashU over Cornell).

I’m sorry if any of this post is sounding overally-judgemental or negative towards Cornell – I’ve just gotten to the point where I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince myself that Cornell isn’t the place for me, or if I’ve actually done enough research and had enough “gut feelings” to know that perhaps WashU or Rice would be a better fit. But some part of me can see myself at Cornell – maybe I’m just trying to hard to eliminate it because I have so little time left to decide!

Sorry for such a long post, and any help/insight would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thank you!

2

Hi. I’m a parent and I have no ties to any of the schools you’ve mentioned. I’ve visited them with my kids when they were deep into their college search. Regarding your mention about being introverted and shy, I’ve heard many reasons why an introvert may actually enjoy larger classes so that you wouldn’t be “forced” to interact in small group discussion. Furthermore, there will be many opportunities for one to find the places and people you’ll want to invest time in at a bigger school. I don’t mean to confuse or challenge your rationale. It’s just something that you may or may not have considered.

Both of my daughters did not enjoy their Cornell visits. In the two days we spend there, everywhere we were on campus, the students were not chatty with one another (like we witnessed at most other schools) and the atmosphere did feel solemn and serious. There were students working individually but not in groups in many of the buildings and cafeterias. However, we know several Cornell students who love being there and they are not big partiers.

In my older daughter’s final weeks of her college decision she posed this sort of question to herself, if you chose Rice or Wash U, would you look back and regret that you didn’t go to Cornell? They are three equally wonderful choices so you really can’t go wrong.

3

For overall student support and satisfaction, I would recommend Rice, even though it is close to home. For your proposed majors, I would recommend Cornell. I would do some serious self-reflection, and decide what kind of person you see yourself as in the next years. Are you really self-motivated, and able to excel in a more pressure-cooker environment that Cornell offers? It may give you an academic boost, and outstanding opportunities if that’s you. If you prefer the kind of environment that Rice offers, there’s absolutely nothing wrong attending Rice – it’s a fantastic school. Just because their programs may not rank as highly doesn’t mean you can’t go far at Rice – it is a smaller school, whose research programs generally don’t have the size or clout that large, major research universities do. Yet the academic quality, and funding, is there to be had at Rice. I would place Wash U. somewhat between Rice and Cornell in terms of atmosphere and programs, but that’s just an estimate.

4

A year or two ago somebody made a post about how he visited and everyone was inside and so unfriendly. Then some current student figured out “Dude,. you visited during prelim week, everyone was studying…”

Let’s go one by one

  1. CAS is not 1,000 students. It’s a lot bigger than that. And students in every other college take CAS classes. So CAS feels bigger than it is, not smaller.
  2. probably plenty of people there don’t like parties and drinking. Lots do though. In the “work hard, play hard” spirit. Maybe Rice is a more conservative school so fewer people go to parties and drink there? I’ve no idea, but it’s possible. .
  3. Most people probably find their niche there, eventually. I cant guarantee that you will though. At any school.
  4. 2/3 of students are not in frats. My D2 never set foot in a greek event there at all and loved it there. Doesn’t mean that you will though. The frats are certainly there, and present. If you’re so predisposed to fret about frat domination, maybe you’ll be too busy whining about frats to engage in your own social scene, as D2 did so successfully.
  5. I love Ithaca . It’s a really hip, chill, town. And it’s a college town, dominated by college students, and affordable to college students. And the surrounding area has great natural beauty. Not everyone loves Ithaca though. Maybe you won’t.
  6. Living in an apartment or house off campus with your friends is vastly superior to living in any dorm. Bear in mind that, for many, “off campus” is in the area adjacent to campus.
  7. D2s favorite course in her college career was a creative writing course she took at Cornell.

So anyway none of your concerns are absolutely wrong, most of them are not absolutely right, they are all there in some measure, it’s more of a perception thing. Cup half full, cup half empty sort of thing. IMO the people who should go to Cornell look at the whole in an overall positive light. If you are looking at the whole from the negative side to start with, you should not come. Because, like I said, all these things are in fact there in some measure, and you may tend to amplify their importance in your mind to match your preconceived notion of them. IMO.

5

I agree that Cornell is very much worth re-considering, and some of its challenges may well be looked at as opportunities, particularly so on the academic side. I also feel that the student should, if possible, visit all campuses, and see where he feels most comfortable. The academics won’t be lacking at any of these three schools. In fact, I’d wager Rice is less conservative as a whole than Cornell based on a general tenor of undergrad experience; but again, there will be many diverse, highly intelligent communities at these respective schools. I happen to know of some departments at Cornell which are quite the opposite of what is typically considered conservative.

If I had a child who was choosing between these three respective schools, I’d feel generally reassured, as I don’t think there’s a deficient one in the bunch. Hence fit is key.

6

My son is trying to decide on his college right now, too. He’s been accepted to some wonderful schools, which we have been able to visit. We’ve told him to pick the school that feels right. I believe he’s going to pick Cornell. Why? He’s been there twice and both times he felt like people were friendly and happy to talk with him. He said the students there looked happier than at any of the other schools. He, obviously, got a good vibe from Cornell. If you’ve visited all three schools on your list and one seems to be calling to you more than the others, that is the school you should go to. Don’t let prestige get in the way, you can’t go wrong at Rice, WashU, or Cornell - they are all great schools. Pick the one that feels right.

7

Full disclosure, my son is a freshman at Cornell and I went there for an MBA many moons ago. Sill we visited WashU on our school trips and we live in Houston so are very familiar with Rice. First I would completely agree with tamar6 above that you should find the right “fit” absent prestige-that wears off quickly once you’re there. I have to say my son did not find the right fit at WashU which definitely struck him as too “nerdy” and somewhat obsessed with being the Ivy of the MIdwest. Rice has a tremendous following here and is an excellent school but also on the "nerdy"side. Oddly enough because of its scale Cornell can across as more balanced than the other two, he plays intramural basketball and football and is more a regular guy. Lastly he was convinced he wasn’t going to Cornell but to UT until his Cornell Day trip when he fell in love with it, its just a sense of belonging I guess. I would strongly suggest a trip this week before May 1st deadline if possible as the weather is better and might be a more “normal” environment to assess the students.

8

Ello :slight_smile: I was in a similar position as you between Northwestern, UC Berkeley and Cornell (for class of 2019, so this year - right now lol). I ended up choosing Cornell. I’m not 100% sure when you went, but I just went two weekends ago and I have a completely different perspective. The people are so warmhearted, kind, and very helpful. I’ve made so many friends in the couple of days that I’ve been there and no one seemed stressed at all (though I can’t vouch for the entire population - it wasn’t prelim week for sure). Coming from a warm, urban environment in Florida - it will definitely be a culture shock, but one that is worth it for Cornell. The recognition itself is something that will far outweigh Rice or WashU (unfortunate, but the truth). Also, you can’t get better than the resources/facilities that you’ll have at your feet at Cornell (from what I’ve seen, the environment is not cutthroat and people truly do want to help each other out - though I am a Hotelie, Hotel School, I’m not sure for other schools at Cornell). Not to mention that the Alumni network is UNBELIEVABLE… there is a Cornellian alumni in every continent except Antarctica (and I’m sure that’s coming lol).

On the social hand, Cornell is very big on the Greek life and parties…etc (Which I’m very into so it suits me), but on the other hand, from those who I’ve spoken to - people have just as much fun outside of parties/frats/sorority events where clubs, social events, meeting up with fellow classmates, etc supplies much entertainment and social life for them. There is a little bit of everything for everyone, you can easily fit in despite the huge campus. Think about it, if you wanted - you really wouldn’t have to venture out of your school and make true and genuine relationships locally… there is no pressure to be anything else and you can still get that “smaller” school feel.

I know I may be sounding biased, but in all honestly I am - simply because I know that Cornell is amazing (and sure, you do too). In the end, it is up to you and what comforts you. If your leaning towards Rice because your family is there and you’ll feel more comfortable then do it! You can’t go wrong with any of these schools - they are all well recognized and will all provide you with a good education, it’s just a matter of which one will bring you further in life. To be honest, I’m also going to Cornell because I have family in NYC and that’s going to be a huge support system for me. Go with your gut. You want to go someplace that will make you happy, you don’t want to regret it.

But in my opinion, I’d go with Cornell in the end (because it is the most logical/best choice on paper for the long run). If you’re tying in emotional/social factors, I’d go with Rice (WashU is out of the running for me).

Now, the question is - which route are you going to take? Logical or Emotional? Choose what is best for you - either way, they are both amazing schools.