Considering going to Cornell? Already there and want to know more? Well let me tell you the low down.

The Pros and advantages:

There are 8 Ivy league schools and Cornell is one of them. Bang. If you get that paper, you will already have one-uped the competition when job searching. The University has a large alumni network. You will find Cornellians everywhere and automatically feel a bond with them,which can also be another advantage for job searching.

If your area of study happens to be in one of the statutory schools, and especially if you are a New York resident, you will get a HUGE price break. It is the best value for your money if large, prestigious, Ivy League schools are on your list.

Cornell offers a huge selection of courses to take. One of the founding statements of Ezra Cornell is "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." To the best of my knowledge this is true. Make sure that you take advantage of this opportunity before it is too late. I did not realize this for a while and later I felt as if I had missed a lot because of my naivete.

Many famous people visit and teach at Cornell. Take advantage of it!

There are MANY places to eat all over campus and the Food is good!! I have visited other colleges and could not believe the small selection. Many colleges only have one eat-ory. Cornell has over 25.

The campus is pretty - mostly in warm weather though. The buildings are also very pretty, especially the older ones.

There is a very good mass transit system around campus and off campus.

There are a lot of on campus jobs to be had, if you need one.

There is a large Greek system if you like that.

Dragon day and Slope day. Two big party days basically accepted by all professors.

The academics are VERY hard. If you go on to another college, it will be a piece of cake.

If you live in a dorm, let the service center be your friend. If there are competent people working there, they will get your problem solved.

Look at some of my reviews of classes for good classes to take.

There a lots of GREAT physical education courses. I recommend that you take more than you are required, because there is so much to learn! Here are some that I took and I really enjoyed: bellydancing, pistol shooting, Introduction to massage, tai boxing (kickboxing)and karate. There were more that I would have liked to take, but there is only so much time in the day!

The Cons and Disadvantages:

The University is very large. You will be just another number unless you make yourself known. Mostly, this school is not for those who like small classes in which things are discussed and questions answered. Be prepared to sit in a lecture hall of anywhere between 100-2000 students furiously scribbling down notes. If you want any questions to be answered, you will have to visit TA's (teacher's assistants) at there office hours and be prepared to stand on line.

There is a large Greek system if you don't like that.

You will be walking uphill both ways back and forth to/between class(es) for about a mile in 3 feet of snow. (A bit of an exaggeration, but talk to any Cornellian, and they will laugh a laugh of understanding).

The tuition is expensive if you are in one of the endowed schools.

Housing is expensive. Especially for a rundown apartment off campus.

Cornell is located in Ithaca, NY - in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do but go to bars if you are 21.

I have heard that it is the suicide capital. There is at least one suicide a semester.

The academics are VERY hard and competitive. Your life will be a living hell of stress.

Even though my 4 year college experience was not what I thought it would be, it taught me a lot of things that I am glad of.



Recommended: Yes