UCLA v. Cornell

quomodo
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:22:00 +0000

You’ve really got to consider the budget cuts and the terrible financial state of public education in CA. I foresee the situation getting better, but in the time you’re at college, things could continue to spiral even further out of control. That’s a significant risk; I believe Cornell’s finances are much securer.

But honestly, forget about the whole prestige thing. For all intents and purposes, they are pretty much the same. If you get good enough fin aid from Cornell, just go where you REALLY want to go. That seems like UCLA right now, but maybe it’s Cornell?

As far as going away from home for college–living in dorms IS going away from home. It can be nice for some kids to have their family as a support system be within driving distance, not across the country. Just because you can see your family once a month, even once a week, doesn’t mean you’re immature or something. Depending on your relationship, it might mean you’re lucky. My friend’s brother goes to Cal and my friend visits him practically every weekend. They both really appreciate that they are able to visit so much. If you don’t really want to go away from where you live, then don’t. You can always move for grad/law school, etc… There’s this feeling on the west coast where we want to go EAST. It’s just sort of a mythical place… but it can wait…