<p>…but just in case: what significant advantages does UR hold over Cornell (enough to make me reconsider sending in my deposit?)</p>
<p>I like the open curriculum, and my momma loved the school when she attended in the ‘90s; still, I’m thinkin’ I’ll be Ithaca-bound by August.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>What do you want to do ultimately? Remember, Cornell has the stinky rep of being the “easiest Ivy to get into but the hardest to do well at”. If you need a really high GPA for say med school then maybe Cornell is a risk. Maybe. Depends on you. If you have a 2200 or more on your SATs, a 95 or so high school GPA etc. then Cornell may very well be your best bet. That high up, you’ll do well anywhere.</p>
<p>Hey, I almost forgot. My son was accepted to Cornell but chose Rochester. He does want to be an MD. He’s a Freshman and is doing really great. Loves it at Rochester.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Well,</p>
<p>GPA - Unweighted 3.40 (freshman year lacked “oomph,” but I’ve performed consistently well since then)</p>
<p>Class Size 550 </p>
<p>SAT I Math 620
SAT I Critical Reading 720 (was a 780 on the PSAT – d’oh)
SAT I Writing 800 </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You can [probably</a> tell](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=332795]probably”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=332795) that I’m not sure what I’ll ultimately pursue.</p>
<p>lol i couldnt help but cringe at BERN’s comments up there.
Before I get to your question juxtaposn…
SATs and high school GPA are, at best, admissions tools for weeding applicants out. When it comes to evaluating someone’s capabilities, SAT scores and sometimes even high school GPAs are, in my opinion, poor measures. (as a side note - yes it is generally true that smarter people do get higher SATs but point is: there’s more to it / Some people do poorly in HS but turn out to be great intellectuals/students in college). But anyways - to answer your question juxtaposn…</p>
<p>Frankly, Cornell is the better school - I know it, we all know it. It’s more prestigious, it’s got more opportunities for you to study what you like (cornell has almost every major available on the planet…provided it may be difficult working the system to your benefit as all the schools are separate entities), and it’s more competitive. </p>
<p>That isn’t to say that you should rule UR out completely and I’m glad you’ve come back to seek other opinions. The benefits I’d say that have drawn many people to UR instead of the ivies and intellectual powerhouses all over the country are the more relaxed and friendlier atmosphere and ultimately: the size, the size, the size.</p>
<p>Cornell is simply too large for some people. I personally believe that the smaller a school is - the more effective it is at teaching students, not just throwing them out there and letting them find their own way. The best colleges in the nation to me are the small and personalized liberal arts colleges that genuinely care about its undergraduates. At larger institutions like Cornell and MIT, I feel as if much of the professors’ focuses are on their insane, jaw-dropping, world renowned research rather than TEACHING. UR is one of the very few universities in the US that provide that liberal-arts personalization with the added bonus of being a top research university that competes with the resources of bigger institutions. The smaller size also lets you really interact with professors easily - something that you’ll probably have to fight for at cornell.</p>
<p>Competition: UR is definitely not as competitive as Cornell in that more people at cornell are really serious about their education than at UR. That isnt to say that there are none of those kind of people at UR too. It seems that you will find geniuses everywhere you go - regardless of the prestige of the educational institution. And, wherever you go, you will always run into people who are just really hardworking and competitive. I happen to be one of those people who really want to make the most out of college and UR has been great for me because I’ve made use of the resources that are abundant as hell - without having to go through cut-throat competition with others for them.</p>
<p>I’ve found that some of my classes here at UR are tougher than at better known colleges and the opportunites that I’ve taken advantage of here (as an undergrad research assistant for Dr. Steve Goldman - whose research was highlighted as one of the top 10 breakthroughs of 2006 in Science Magazine, an Introductory Biology Course Teaching Assistant, applied for and getting Summer Class/Housing Scholarships, a Grassroots member, Editor for Journal of Undergrad Research, member of Religious Roundtable, etc etc) are easily comparable to Cornell. So I’ve been doing well. </p>
<p>But enough, I’ve gotten tired of trying to sell the school to people (i do it out of pride). Point is, UR is just as good as Cornell so long as you make the most of it. I feel like I’d get drowned out by the sea of people at Cornell but, of course, I speak for only some people.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision, and let us know where you ultimately decide to go.</p>
<p>PS - My thoughts on an English Major: when I think of an english major, I think: bold intellectual. Bold because we all know the prospects of making money and job security and what not are quite limited fresh out of college with an English degree. Intellectual because they don’t care about the above: they learn English because it interests them. I personally have high regard for people who pursue their academic interests no matter what the career prospects are. Most of the english majors I know are truly inspiring in their intellect and their love for learning. So if it’s something that you find really interesting, go for it. Don’t let parents, other people, or money affect your academic pursuits.</p>
<p>and with all that said, I will now shutup because wow that was one heck of a rant. Hope this all helps (it better! how long have I been typing this??..)</p>
<p>My d went to Cornell for their HS summer program between sophomore & junior years. She was in a class of about 35, with discussion sections taught by a TA. The TA did all the grading of her papers. She spoke with her professor at length about Cornell. The professor told her that if she wanted discussion-based classes, with lots of interactions with the professors rather than with grad students, she shouldn’t go to Cornell.</p>
<p>She’s going to Rochester in the fall.</p>
<p>Chedva. glad to see that some people are choosing UR over an ivy. My d is right now in UR visiting. I really hopes she likes it. From what I’ve researched, I think UR is a great fit for her. But she is so affected by the fact that UR is so unknown. People give her blank looks when she tells them where she’s going, including her CC. She was in Harvard summer school last year, and the discussion sections were taught by a TA and so was grading of papers. The prof was just there for lectures. Don’t know if that’s what it is like during the non summer terms or not, but I sure wasn’t very impressed with that.
Awakien, you have done well promoting UR in such a positive light. I hope my d sees UR in that light.
Bern, it is good to know that your son likes it there in UR, hope that my daughter sees through the ranking/popularity thing…</p>
<p>I decided to send my deposit to Cornell. Sorry, guys =X</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input.</p>
<p>This and other threads are amazingly informative. My daughter is choosing between UR, Syracuse and UMD CP, Univ honors program.</p>
<p>Likely choice will be UR, despite the outrageous cost; but between the three it offers the best combination of class size, probable majors, exposure to a diverse student body, opportunity to know the profs & engage in research, serious students but with some fun as well.</p>
<p>juxtaposn, have a great time at Cornell!</p>