<p>WRONG, on many counts. We just left Cornell Days up in Ithaca. We took tours of engineering quad and spoke to many engineering students. We also talked to a chemical engineering professor, who was amazing. The environment is NOT cutthroat! Everything is collaborative - the problem sets, the projects, everything. Plus, the students are welcoming and supportive of each other. The professor told us that it’s really not about an engineering grad’s GPA, it’s about the school he came from and the things he did outside of school that gets him/her good jobs. I was hugely relieved and excited for our son when we left. It seems like there is a lot of teamwork and the engineering community actually looks like it has a lot of fun. Plus, 40% of my son’s entering class will be female, which is very exciting. I think “cutthroat” can be used to described to pre-med kids at EVERY school.</p>
<p>Cornell also has 13 engineering majors. Rice doesn’t have that. Cornell’s Operations Research major in engineering (sort of an undergraduate financial engineering field) is one of the best in the country - great for those who want an enhanced business major. I would DEFINITELY pick Cornell. Rice is also highly ranked, but I think Cornell has more bang for the buck. Yes, the weather in Houston is almost intolerable most of the year. Spent much time there - it’s pretty hot and uncomfortable.</p>