But lest you think it’s just this one alum’s opinion, here are some other CC subforum posts from other alums and students:
"Cornell is not actually harder than other top schools, objectively or subjectively. There is ZERO data to support that notion.
What makes Cornell unique is that it has a larger proportion of students who are unable to handle that workload (this includes transfers as well as freshman admits). That’s why I think Cornell students are some of the biggest whiners of workload difficulty."
Followup to above, from another student:
“This. At Cornell, there is a mix of very hard classes and also, very easy classes.”
Another:
“There are a lot of whiners at Cornell. I agree with you on this. But, just because Cornell students complain more about grades, it doesn’t actually mean Cornell is actually more difficult.”
From @norcalguy:
"Look, I did premed at Cornell. I know it’s challenging. We knock the crap out of the MCAT. But I also know that Cornell is full of whiners. It’s self-perpetuating. People come to Cornell expecting it to be grade deflated and when their grades don’t go their way, they think it’s due to the (non-existent) grade deflation. Take responsibility for your own grades and you’ll do fine. "
Followup to above, from another student:
“Norcalguy is right. There is a certain subset of the Cornell population that whines. Do us a favor and if you do go to Cornell, don’t whine about your grades. Or better yet, go somewhere else.”