<p>i would dispute your statement that Cornell’s programs are rigid. Certainly some are more structured than others (perhaps in Architecture, ILR and maybe to some extent engineering or hotel due to their unique specialization) but I would not call the majority of programs at Cornell rigid. Most students are in the College of Arts and Sciences which has a broad set of distribution requirements not too unlike Yale’s. Arts and Sciences has a wealth of classes in all disciplines and the major requirements are no more structured than what I’ve seen at the other Ivies I’ve visited.</p>