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I am a community college transfer applicant (from Florida). My major is Civil Engineering (structural emphasis), and I have been accepted to both Cornell and Berkeley (out-of-state). I have been awarded full tuition scholarship at Cornell (which is a about 30K), and they have told me that I can cover the remaining 11K with a combination of Federal Sub(5500), Perkins(2470), and Work Study(2190). One the other hand, Berkeley has awarded me 12K in grants, and they told me that I can cover the remaining 20K with a combination of Work Study(3000), Fed Sub(2625), Parents Plus(12810), and Perkins(2100).

I have until June 20th to make the final decision and eliminate one of them, so I can adjust my schedule accordingly.

Can anyone please tell me which one should I choose?

I appreciate your comments/suggestions in advance.

By Cornellian07 (Cornellian07) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 10:00 pm: Edit

I would go with Cornell. First of all, it's cheaper overall. Second, you get the benefit of Ivy prestige and a private school education. Also, Cornell's campus is beautiful. I can't speak for Berkeley, since I've never seen it. Also, Cornell has good food. In the long run, both of these are amazing schools, especially for engineering. And remember that I may be biased, since I myself am going to Cornell engineering next year.

By Sunshine916 (Sunshine916) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

cornell! yeah but don't listen to me because i'm in love with the place. the engineering there rocks though, and if an ivy gives you that much money...why not?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 11:54 pm: Edit

Cornell. Better overall, in my opinion - and greater name recognition across the country. And, even with the colder weather, I think the quality of life is better in Ithaca than in Berkeley.

By Dschnapps (Dschnapps) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

Even though I love Berkeley and really want to go there, I think Cornell is the clear choice here, with more money and a very good engineering program.

However, I must represent for Berkeley and say that its name recognition, especially in engineering, at least matches Cornell and that Berkeley may not be a good place to retire but is a GREAT college town.

By Greenmoo04 (Greenmoo04) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 01:01 am: Edit

It'll be a great decision either one, so it's just a matter of picking through the little details. I heard berkeley's engineering program is awesome also, so maybe take into consideration dorms, etc.

By Chiangkaishrek (Chiangkaishrek) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:27 am: Edit

I'd say Cornell for the name (Ivy League) and reputation. However, I heard that the workload is crazy, and that some students commit suicide because of the stress. I've been to Ithaca, and conducted a research at Cornell. I love the campus...but it's too big and hilly. I also dislike the weather..because it's too cold.

As for Berkeley...public school...big classes. However, it's near San Francisco...NEAR CIVILIZATION!! The weather is warmer too. After spending two years in California....the tuition will be a lot cheaper. Look at the LONG RUN..not the short run. I know Cornell gave you a good scholy...but do you know if you will get it within the next 3 years?

By Greenmoo04 (Greenmoo04) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 10:23 am: Edit

Isn't there some statistic about Cornell student, about drinking or something?

By Cornellgrad02 (Cornellgrad02) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 02:05 pm: Edit

I have close ties to both schools. If you were a freshman, I might say go to cornell, live the dorm experience, blah blah blah. But as a transfer, especially in engineering, I would say go to Cal. As for name recognition, Berkeley is on par with Cornell (and it's a stupid factor in any decision regardless). Berkeley's engineering department is better than Cornell's with the exception of nanotechnology. Lastly, Berkeley and the bay area offers much more as a college town/place to live and a place to enjoy than Ithaca. You not only have San Fran right next door, but endless outdoor opportunities are only minutes away in the east bay hills and a few hours away in the Sierras (lake tahoe, yosemite etc.). As for food, if you're talking about dorm food, Cornell is better. If, however, you're talking about the offerings of the town, Berkeley blows ithaca away.

In short, Berkeley is much more diverse, heterogenous and exciting college experience, especially for someone with a little college experience under there belts. Considering you're from florida, if you really want an incredible, life changing experience...go to Berkeley.

good luck,
CornellGrad

By Cornellgrad02 (Cornellgrad02) on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 02:08 pm: Edit

I have close ties to both schools. If you were a freshman, I might say go to cornell, live the dorm experience, blah blah blah. But as a transfer, especially in engineering, I would say go to Cal. As for name recognition, Berkeley is on par with Cornell (and it's a stupid factor in any decision regardless). Berkeley's engineering department is better than Cornell's with the exception of nanotechnology. Lastly, Berkeley and the bay area offers much more as a college town/place to live and a place to enjoy than Ithaca. You not only have San Fran right next door, but endless outdoor opportunities are only minutes away in the east bay hills and a few hours away in the Sierras (lake tahoe, yosemite etc.). As for food, if you're talking about dorm food, Cornell is better. If, however, you're talking about the offerings of the town, Berkeley blows ithaca away.

In short, Berkeley is much more diverse, heterogenous and exciting college experience, especially for someone with a little college experience under there belts. Considering you're from florida, if you really want an incredible, life changing experience...go to Berkeley.

good luck,
CornellGrad

By Harvardguy (Harvardguy) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 12:20 am: Edit

Cornell

By Richen (Richen) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:47 am: Edit

This is obviously coming too late, but no doubt in my mind, Berkeley. Just check out their grads' starting salaries and job offers. You don't have to take my word for it, but Cornell sucks in engineering!!

Pray tell us what you decided to do though!

By Jonny228 (Jonny228) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 06:23 pm: Edit

It all depends on what you want, Cornell is clearly offering you the better scholarship. Although will you get it again, is it their "contingency plan." You gotta admit not many community college people get into Ivy League. California and Florida the atmosphere is quite the same. Cornell could be interesting, and if you cannot handle the stress of ivy league you could always transfer to Berkeley. Cornell does have the better name but is not better for engineering. According to US News for engineering Berkeley is number 3 only passed by Stanford(2) and MIT(1) where as Cornell is not even in the top 10 at 12. There is no Ivy League in the top 10. My top 10 goes:
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Stanford
3. Purdue
4. University of Illinois-Champaign
5. Johns Hopkins (its free)
6. University of Southern California
7. UC Berkeley
8. UCSB, UCLA
9. Texas A&M
10. U of Michigan-Ann Arbor

By Sirmoreau (Sirmoreau) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 07:23 pm: Edit

East bay hills - Yeah Briones! Mt. Diablo!

By Cornellian07 (Cornellian07) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 11:32 pm: Edit

No. Cornell is number 12 for graduate engineering. For undergrad, they are in the top 10. I think they were ranked 6 or 7. The only ivy league school in the top 10.

By Johnnyd (Johnnyd) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 10:56 am: Edit

Hey I have a question: how did you manage to get a full tuition scholarship to Cornell?

By Jaybert (Jaybert) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 12:15 pm: Edit

be really poor.....

cornell does not give academic scholarships, only need-based.

By Cornellian07 (Cornellian07) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 01:25 am: Edit

So Nsk, which one did you choose?