Upenn vs Cornell vs NU

@capitalrate

Physics - Cornell > Penn > NU

Computer Science - Cornell > Penn > NU

Engineering - Cornell > NU ~ Penn (varies depending on what type of engineering)

Economics - NU > Penn > Cornell (but for business and business-related recruiting Penn > Cornell > NU)

Social life - Penn > NU > Cornell (but this is more subjective)

Location - Penn > NU >Cornell

For undergrad keep in mind that overall school standing, quality in addition to specific departmental quality matters as well as personally fit.

Overall undergrad desirability/standing: Penn > Cornell ~ NU

Yield rates (% of admits who choose the school): Penn (68%) > Cornell (53%) ~NU (53%)

Here is how cross-admits choose between these schools.

http://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=University+of+Pennsylvania&with=Cornell+University

http://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=University+of+Pennsylvania&with=Northwestern+University

http://www.parchment.com/c/college/tools/college-cross-admit-comparison.php?compare=Cornell+University&with=Northwestern+University