Cornell University

As a community college transfer student to Cornell, I had a very difficult transition dealing w/the elitist mentality. But honestly, that came to a halt when at the reception after graduation, Cornell served Shasta.

I've always liked Ithaca.. Nice town.

I love Cornell!!! As a CU grad (Ag school '98, and Public Administration '99) I can tell you: I spent 5 of the best years of my life in beautiful Ithaca. They say the H-word (the not-to-be-mentioned school in Beantown)is the hardest to get into and the easiest to stay in; meanwhile they say Cornell is easy to get into and the HARDEST to stay in! Take it from me: when I graduated I (finally) had worked my way back up to a 3.5; but after my 1st semester (with mono) I had a 1.7 and they were TOTALLY ready to kick me out!!! So, if you are looking for a truly unique Ivy experience with beautiful natural surroundings and an amazingly DIVERSE student body with every/any body from all reaches of the planet, CU is for you. Apply, Attend, Enjoy! I sure did and I am so happy about my decision.

As you can tell by the number of times "Harvard" is mentioned throughout these reviews, Cornellians bear the burden of an inferiority complex. Their academic experience is surprisingly top notch and rigorous (as opposed to Harvard, which I have heard first-hand and read (even on this site) tends to underwhelm and relies on the name and reputation rather than the experience).  Nevertheless, Cornell's reputation consistently comes up just below the Harvards, Yales, and Princetons... This really bothers Cornellians.It works to the school's favor, though, for two reasons: 1. People are just grateful to get into a place like Harvard. The school can and often does literally rest upon its laurels. Cornell, on the other hand, is constantly trying to prove itself. Many students work hard. It continually innovates and, embracing its land grant status, has undertaken massive campaigns to establish itself as the first truly global American university. 2. The reason Cornell gets the shaft in rankin... Read more

I'm graduating from Cornell this year, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my past 4 years here. Beautiful campus, top-notch academics and faculty, plentiful resources, and diverse students who aren't afraid to be both smart and friendly.

The Cornell Hotel School is a second rate institution with an attitude. Avoid it! You'll never get your investment back. The faculty is mediocre.

I went there for college and it was one of most unique places in the world. Few colleges comes even close to the natural beauty. The student population is large and you get large classes in your freshman and sophomore years but it's the same at any large research institution. Class sizes shrink tremendously in your junior and senior year. Cornell is not known for grade inflation and there are a lot of smarties (but dumbasses who help pull the curve down do exist, thankfully). Food on campus is better than the local restaurants. I'm a graduate student at Yale now and I am happy I went to Cornell over Yale.

Outstanding university, but there's no laxitude here -- you work, work, work. Still -- you learn, learn, learn, and every job you'll have in the future will seem like a cakewalk, and every boss will be easily intimidated by your knowledge and confidence. Conrell is a great place, but it's not for the faint of heart or the lazy of mind. If you want to sleepwalk, go to Harvard instead.

This was my first choice college. It would have allowed me to stay close to home, and be in that ivy league click. I instead went to UR and, ended up just fine. It was a little wierd being a townie and schoolie at the same time (seeing as I am from Rochester, still lived in the dorms though lol) But according to a previous poster, I wouldn't have made it in Cornell, because I am just a big hick from Upstate New York.

Nice Ivy league college on a great campus.

Cornell rocks. Truly a classic American college experience. Ivy League. Stunningly beauftiful campus. Challenging courses. Lively fraternity/sorority life (for those who want it). Yes, it is damn cold in the winter, but it is all part of the experience...crossing the icy gorge on foot in February to get to your early morning class... then relishing every single beautiful day come spring and fall... and summers in Ithaca are magic. Yes, the academics are top-notch... but I also made more life-long friends and had more plain fun in four years in Ithaca than almost anyone I know. Four years in Ithaca is a unique character-building experience that is truly wonderful and unique.

If I were to go Ivy League, it just might be Cornell. A very good school that is the largest of the Ivies. It has some excellent departments like Architecture, Engineering and Hotel Management. Laugh maybe, but Cornell grads work the finest restaurants and prepare the best meals you'll ever eat. Being close to NYC allows for a strong network in place in that area and on the East Coast. Ithaca isnt the worst place to spend four years of college as well.

Cornell is unique among the Ivies. Its a combination of a private liberal arts college and engineering scool with state programs in agriculture and industrial labor relations. Cornell has such a rich tradition, that it will always be associated with the elite universities of the world.

i went there, and trust me, if you discard long islanders as spoiled brats and upstate new yorkers as hicks, you are the one missing out on a ton of fun at a great college. the university is huge, 30,000+ people. if i found friends, you can. great surroundings, hikes, nature, great outdoor education courses that are very cheap for students. i received good financial aid. almost twice as big as any other top school, like CMU. at the time, ithaca and collegetown seemed like very expensive places to live, but now i know that's nothing compared to boston or new york, or philly, or even rhode island. this school is well worth checking out. i recommend visiting around dragon day (the week before spring break). the university is secluded in a small town, but the environment is great. well connected with other big schools nearby. great academics. never had a problem competing with harvard and mit grads at interviews (i am math/cs undergrad and cs - masters). tons of opportunities ... Read more

If you want to be an engineer, then it is the best Ivy league school for you if you ask me, plus, it is in upstate new york, it is very beautiful for most of the year and the people are really nice. Go to harvard if you want ot be a lawyer that destroys the economy by helping sue happy people. But if you want to design buildings and bridges that will help people with their daily lives, go to cornell and be an engineer!

Actually I think Cartecay was saying that the suicide rate is low at Cornell. With Cornell's larger size with respect to the other Ivies, it's easy to see why many suicides (and rather interesting ones at that) would get big press! I wish there was a way Cartecay could have not rated Cornell, but I guess she thought a 3 was a neutral rating. Not so! A five is a neutral rating for my dear alma mater.

In response to Cartecay's earlier posting, I googled Cornell University and Suicide rates and found the article which she references at: www-tech.mit.edu/V120/N6/comp6.6n.html Apparently, Cartecay did not read the article too carefully, as it clearly states: Cornell has a suicide rate of about 4.3 per 100,000 student years for that time period, far below both MIT and national rates. MIT's suicide rate, by the by, was 14.6 per 100,000 student years. I would seriously hope that your child's reading skills are more impressive than your own, especially if your son or daughter apply/applied to Cornell or peer institutions. As a proud Cornellian, I can confidently say that Cornell is one of the most amazing colleges that any student could ever attend. Yes, suicides do happen at Cornell, but you know what -- they happen at college campuses all across the country. Cornell, like any university, does not exist in a perfect bubble where suicides don't happen. Any college has positives a... Read more

I'm a recent Cornell grad, who has also had the experience of attending two other colleges. By far, Cornell stands out as one of the best schools in the country. People who claim that Cornell su*#s should be taken as seriously as their limited vocabulary and articulation allows. Yes, Cornell is in a small town, but many people who hate Ithaca have never taken the time to explore it. From a rich and varied background, Ithaca has developed into a sort of cultural haven in an otherwise rural area of New York. Yes, the school is challenging. This is one of the best reasons to go there... but challenging and 'cut-throat' are entirely different things. I never felt a sense of competition against other students for anything, beit grades or attention of professors. The competition I felt was with myself, striving to succeed in an environment that breeds a healthy respect for diligence and perseverence in one's studies. Yes, central New York can be incredibly cold. what can I say, deal wit... Read more

You either love this school, or you hate this school. It provides great academic opportunities and great social opportunities. If you can take advantage of one or both, you will love it here. If you can't take advantage of either, you will hate it. Obviously those that go here and hate it have few friends and are not doing well in class. Thats a VERY legit reason to hate a school. But I love it.

I have earned academic degrees from three IVY league Universities, and have been a professor at a fourth. I have probably visited more than 100 college campuses in the United States, often as a guest lecturer. I firmly believe that Cornell University is without question one of the three or four best universities (larger schools) to get an undergraduatate degree in the nation. Its size is a tremendous plus for any young person mature enought to make use of a diversity of acadmic offerings, a menu that outranks those of many schools that are listed above Cornell in US New & World report. By the way, that report harms Cornell because of one of its strengths - its combination of private and contract colleges. Cornell has one of the most beautiful campuses in the World. Ithaca is one of the truly great college towns...making Williamstown, MA and Hanover, NH and Princeton NJ boring by comparison. I often think of the Cornell/Ithaca world as the ultimate college experience. Haarvard sho... Read more

Definitely one of the lower Ivies.

I am a 1987 graduate of Cornell and I cherish the education I earned at Cornell. It is absolutely a disgrace for anyone to make negative comments about Cornell especially when they didn't go to Cornell. Indeed, in academia there are no perfect places. However, there are places that hand out easy grades, and degrees. Cornell is not one of them. Cornell will not let you down academically! You will work for the degree that you intend to take. I have since gone on to earn my Ph.D. at a very famous British university. Cornell prepared me well for what I encountered in Britain.

Cornell has great engineering, top ranked liberal arts, and a beautiful rural campus. Cold weather is the only major drawback.

Cornell is great. There is a tremendous variety of course study -- from physics to African studies to viticulture. Most of the students are tremendously smart -- and you have ample opportunity to meet and befriend a wide range of people -- poets, engineers, agricultural scientists. Cornell truly cares about its undergrads -- it is one of the few major research schools that makes its undergraduate education a priority. And it shows.

If you love to jump off high gorges, then Cornell is the place to test your ability. The food however (which nobody here..even the happy alums mentioned) is GREAAAATTT!!! No other colleges in the nation can beat Cornell's quality of food that's served in the dining hall!!!

A very fine school, lovely, interesting campus, tons of great people all around, tons of opportunities to be involved, and, of course, a tought but terrific and character-building education. What the hell more do you want?

I graduated from Cornell in 1997 and never once regretted my decision to go there. As other reviewers have mentioned, Cornell, like any college, is what you make of it. For instance, Cornell is a big school in a small town, which was exactly what I was looking for. Students who crave city life, on the other hand, should go to NYU or U. Penn. The academics at Cornell are challenging, and I found the professors to be approachable and caring -- I keep in touch with my advisor to this day. (I was an English major in Arts and Sciences). It snows at Cornell -- I never minded it, and now that I'm living and working in Southern California, I kind of miss it. There are a tons of diverse groups and activities to get involved with: I was in a sorority; I acted with a small theater group; I played in the marching band; I spent a semester abroad; I even got involved in the Ithaca community by working part time at a local day care center. Other friends of mine sang in a cappella groups, w... Read more

I am a recent Cornell Graduate (May 2002) and I would like to say that Cornell is the best school out there pound for pound. That comment about the SAT scores just shows you really have no knowledge of what it takes ot make it in college. I turned down other schools with much higher SAT averages to go here and hve not regretted it for a second. I know many who did not do to well on the SAT who made quite an impact in some very tough courses and then went on to do quite well on graduate admissions tests (so much for your theory). In regards to the suicide rate do you research read more than one person's opinion check this link if you are too lazy to og look yourself http://www.cornelldailysun.com/articles/1734/. I find it amusing so many people hate on Cornell I guess that means were doing something right. The REAL CU BABY!!! Any other school is just a joke.

Like any school, Cornell is what you make of it. Few can deny that it's an academic powerhouse; even fewer can make it through a long winter in Ithaca without feeling a little depressed. Yet, like any good comedy, the memory of the school seems to get happier over time, and one thing's for sure: you'll never regret choosing it over Harvard. Cornell is everything that the likes of Harvard can only claim to be: a renaissance school for the renaissance student.

Cornell is simply the Best University in the States. Go BIG RED!!!

cornell is absolutely amazing. it's so petty when people who have never been to ithaca or been to the Lord's land that is the Cornell campus, put it down based on what they have heard. the fact that they can't think for themselves is the reason they don't come here, or maybe they go to harvard( i have taken classes at harvard as to not speak without personal experience--great grad schools, but dissapointing undergrad, but hey i'm not complaining it was a lot easier than cornell)

I am chuckling at all the negative comments by people who didnt get in...because if you actually went to Cornell you would know it ISNT easy but its a great campus, a great learning environment and a great choice.

I'm the mother of a student interested in Cornell who was alarmed by the rumor that Cornell has high suicide rates on campus. I went on-line to investigate and learned that there have been 8 suicides in the past ten years. The suicide rate is 4.3/l00,000 students, far below MIT and the national rates. Just go to Google and type in "Cornell University" & suicide rates. You guys are too smart to believe whatever you're told.

First off, I don't even know what this site's legitimacy and reputation are. It is possible that my comments may not be read by anyone who is truly interested in getting solid, frank insight into schools. But I accidentally happened upon this site and felt it necessary to express myself. As a 1996 Cornell alum, I can look back at my four years on the hill and smile. The academics were very intense, but I don't remember the late nights studying in my fraternity or library, taking tests, or writing papers. The friendships I formed and memories of hanging out and having a good time will always be a part of me. There is so much I can say about Cornell, but if I had to summarize it in one phrase it would be "unparalled opportunities". It outstanding academic and social atmosphere make it a place where you can reach your full potential, become the person you want to be, and reach your dreams. The rigorous curriculum made me a workhorse capable of defining and takling virtually any pr... Read more

Great school but "Big Red"?

A lovely place to hone a capable and independent mind. The combination of very top scientific research with a strong base in humanities is unmatched in US education.

ugh.. i know 2 people who chose cornell over a less prestigious school that was a better match for them. why? because its an "ivy" !! although they both hate it there, they don't want to transfer in fears of losing the "ivy degree"

I turned down Harvard to come here. No regrets.

Quite simply, one the top universities in the country.

cornell-proof that hell really DOES freeze over!! nuff said...

In reference to all the negative comments made about Cornell, especially by those who aren't students here, I would like to say that Cornell is awesome. Not only is it fantastic, but there is so much potential for every student here. We have an awesome law school, a great medical school, and the best Vet school in the world. Not to mention, great athletics, student organizations, and one of the largest Greek systems in the country. Don't listen to all the negative responses made by people on this poll. They're just trying to make Cornell look bad. I'm a freshman at Cornell and the only suicides I've been here for were made by people who AREN'T CORNELL STUDENTS!!!! Yes, that's correct, there hasn't been a single suicide by a Cornell student since I've been here, so all these people who have so ignorantly commented on Cornell....that just shows their low level of intelligence. Good job all of you. I really hope you aren't Harvard students because that would truly be an embarrass... Read more

bad school

This school is in a hick town, it is freezing most of the school year, there are no good restaurants, & half the students are from Long Island.

Cornell is by far the finest institution of higher learning in the U.S. The social environment is outstanding! The only cutthroats I've ever known go to Harvard!

Cornell Rocks man!

Arts & Sciences: excellent; Engineering: excellent; Ag. & Life Sciences: good for biological sciences, but the other majors are b.s.; Human Ecology: total garbage (how many H.S. seniors wish to declare "textiles and management" and a probable major?) ILR: total garbage; Art & Architecture: terrible for the former, good for the latter; Hotel Administration: party school, where Cornell gets a lot of its athletes.

Man, Cornell is where its at! Don't accept any substitutes.

Best School Ever!

Don't believe the suicide comments. It's an attractive place for people from elsewhere to committ suicide, for whatever reason besides Cornell, because of the high gorges, not because it's too demanding academically. Oh and by the way...Cornell is better than Harvard anyway!