Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

Hello.

This is my first post in the Cornell forum...

My first comment is...why is it not in the "US News Top 25" category of forums? Even UCLA is in it, and UCLA is #26...Cornell is #14...

Now, moving on...

I really don't know anything about Cornell. I was really hot on MIT, but to my avail was rejected. They apparently don't appreciate creativity as much as they claim they do.

Anyway, I've been accepted to UC Berkeley and UCLA, and ever since I learned that UC Berkeley is #2 in engineering in the country (I swear...I subscribed to US News), I've been pretty into it, and didn't give Cornell a moment's thought.

I live in California, moreover, and Ithaca is so far away and cold...

...but today, I received a "very likely" letter from Cornell.

So, I was just wondering...given the fact that Cornell is only #9 in engineering, while Berkeley is #2, what are the reasons I should consider it?

I really don't know anything about Cornell, as I've said...but I've heard good things, and don't want to toss it aside, especially considering the fact that it just sounds better than Berkeley...it's an Ivy, for crying out loud. Not only that, but it's the #1 Ivy in engineering.

I'd like it if you could tell me some things about the environment, the kind of people, whether it is focused on academia or applications (I want to be an entrepreneur), etc. Come on, help me get to know Cornell! I want to make an educated decision, here...

Just think...if I get accepted to Stanford, my decision will be even harder...

Thanks a lot!

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:42 am: Edit

"My first comment is...why is it not in the "US News Top 25" category of forums? Even UCLA is in it, and UCLA is #26...Cornell is #14..."

Duh...This is the Ivy League section.

By Ghhizzmo (Ghhizzmo) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 09:52 am: Edit

Tavilach...

Sorry about MIT, but it looks as though you have wonderful options.

Thought you'd be interested in this link to Cornell's Entrepreneurship and Personal Enterprise Program. I hear it's wonderful and that students from all of the Colleges at Cornell can become involved in it.
http://epe.cornell.edu/

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:07 am: Edit

Let me second the duh.

By Stargazrlilychk (Stargazrlilychk) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

I third

And also, Tavilach, u really seem to be putting waaaay too much stock in rankings from magazines. Cornell used to be like number 8 or something in US News, but one year the magazine changed the criteria and it dropped to 14. it was the same school from one year to the next, but dropped like 7 spots??? which shows how STUPID those rankings are.

and u say u like cornell because it SOUNDS better??? oh jesus, if your making one of the biggest decisions of your life based on how it SOUNDS to other people, you're headed for disaster.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:00 pm: Edit

I don't mean this in an obnoxious way, but have you looked at their Web site? It is fairly extensive...

Perhaps you should look at the respective faculties, facilities, specific areas of engineering, etc.

A viewbook does not an informed decision make.

Good luck!

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Also, rankings do not an education make.

Pick what's best for YOU--not some editor with a deadline and an actuarial matrix.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:07 pm: Edit

You need an Index or default page, BTW


Dr. Chen.jpg 04-Feb-2004 20:17 762k
Neo_OS_1.jpg 12-Jan-2004 19:15 18k
Neo_OS_2.jpg 12-Jan-2004 19:15 23k
Neo_OS_3.jpg 12-Jan-2004 19:15 16k
Neo_OS_4.jpg 12-Jan-2004 19:15 19k
Neo_OS_5.jpg 12-Jan-2004 19:15 36k

etc...

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 12:56 pm: Edit

Don't worry, Tavilach--I'm not a hacker. I just googled your name to find your blog, and the last link on page 3 of the results gives a file tree listing of whatever machine you have behind port 80. Get a firewall, dude! (Nice laptop, btw! Macs rule!)

By Dday2004 (Dday2004) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 01:21 pm: Edit

actually, Cornell used to be ranked 6th (behind HYPSM) in 1998, I think (maybe I'm off by a year or 2 in either direction)

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:38 pm: Edit

Noodleman, please respect my privacy and leave my blog out of College Confidential.

...and I don't have a laptop. I'm going to get a PowerBook, but I don't currently own one.

Candi1657, thank you for your comprehensive insight. Did it occur to you that I had logically presumed that a college could be included in more than one folder, and did not check on my logical assumption? I did not realize that Harvard and Yale, for example, were not included in "US News Top 25," either. To me, if something fits into two categories, it is placed into both categories. I had thought the folders to be more categorizational, rather than strict boundaries.

Stargazrlilychk...what's your problem? I made it very clear that I had not given Cornell a moment's thought until yesterday, and merely want some unbiased (college websites tend to be full of propoganda, you know...(the text in these parentheses is directed towards Noodleman)) opinions. Is there a reason I should know more about it, other than how it "SOUNDS" to others? I have not researched it yet..."duh." This is my way of beginning (note the word "beginning") the research process...don't you think you could help me about a bit, without being so contemptuous?

Also, I only mentioned Cornell being #14 in the context of it not being included in the "US News Top 25"...how does that relate at all to my reliance on rankings? Furthermore, the rankings that I do pay attention to...the engineering rankings...seem very accurate to me, and because they are based on less factors, with less outliers and the like, and with more things that can actually be compared to (as opposed to random ways of comparing science institutes with law institutes, for example), I feel that they are far more meaningful.

I would really appreciate it if people would behave less contempuously, and would listen to what I have to say. I came here for help, not to be ridiculed, even slightly.

By Candi1657 (Candi1657) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:39 pm: Edit

Sheesh...learn how to take a joke! Calm down, it's not that serious...

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:59 pm: Edit

Too bad. Coulda been CHYMPS.

By Anita6 (Anita6) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 03:21 pm: Edit

Tavilach
Would you mind posting the engineering rankings? I've also been rejected from MIT and now I don't know what to do (no likely from cornell though)

By Thedad (Thedad) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:26 pm: Edit

Tavilach, have you stopped to consider that carrying a chip on your shoulder fosters certain kinds of responses?

By Ella05 (Ella05) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:28 pm: Edit

Both great schools. Both have good reps. I don't know why but Cornell seems more glorious to me! In terms of education and reputation and prestige, they will both take you where you want to go. Choose one based on something else, i.e. financial aid, location (I see that you are already considering that), size, feeling, etc. Maybe you should visit? Or order a video of a Cornell tour. Best of luck, and I would love to see you in Ithaca! ;-)

By the way, why did you apply to Cornell if you didn't know anything about it? Maybe you just have good instincts; it is a really great school.

By Ella05 (Ella05) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:31 pm: Edit

Both are great schools. Both have good reps. I don't know why but Cornell seems more glorious to me, and its my first choice (for psychology though, not engineering) In terms of education and reputation and prestige, they will both take you where you want to go. Choose one based on something else, i.e. financial aid, location (I see that you are already considering that), size, feeling, etc. Maybe you should visit? Or order a video of a Cornell tour. Best of luck, and I would love to see you in Ithaca! ;-)

By the way, why did you apply to Cornell if you didn't know anything about it? Maybe you just have good instincts; it is a really great school.

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Honestly just trying to do you a favor, Tav. Had I any sort of malicious intent, I'd not have posted that list (which could mean something only to you). I merely thought you'd like to know, so that anyone with nefarious intent would not have access to your stuff.

I looked for your blog because you mentioned it in your profile. If you don't want your blog on cc, then don't mention it. Sheesh!

Even so, I understand if you feel uneasy. Allow me to allay any fears. I am far too busy and uninterested to bug you or your little Web folder. You might wish to get it off the worlds #1 search engine, though, or at the very least, off the world wide web.

By Krypt (Krypt) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 06:21 pm: Edit

I'm a little confused ... why did you apply to Cornell since you seem to haven't the slightest idea what Cornell is about?

By Alphatrance (Alphatrance) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 06:30 pm: Edit

did u apply berkely early?

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 07:41 pm: Edit

Wow...I have a lot to say . I'll go in order...

Candi:

I'm sorry...I've just been through a lot of hell on College Confidential, and coupled with the fact that my rejection from MIT has really lowered my spirits, I've been taking most comments as attacks. I actually have a wonderful sense of humor...in fact, I'm known for it. I hope you understand !

Anita6:

No problemo!

Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
(At schools whose highest degree is a doctorate)

(5.0 = highest)
1. Massachusetts Inst. of Technology 4.8
2. Stanford University (CA) 4.7
2. University of California–Berkeley * 4.7
4. California Institute of Technology 4.6
5. Georgia Institute of Technology * 4.5
5. U. of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign * 4.5
7. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor * 4.4
8. Carnegie Mellon University (PA) 4.3
9. Cornell University (NY) 4.2
9. Purdue Univ.–West Lafayette (IN)* 4.2
11. Princeton University (NJ) 4.1
11. University of Texas–Austin * 4.1
13. Johns Hopkins University (MD) 4.0
13. Northwestern University (IL) 4.0
13. Univ. of Wisconsin–Madison * 4.0
16. Pennsylvania State U.–University Park * 3.9
17. Texas A&M Univ.–College Station * 3.8
17. Univ. of Minnesota–Twin Cities * 3.8
17. Virginia Tech * 3.8
20. Duke University (NC) 3.7
20. Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. (NY) 3.7
20. Rice University (TX) 3.7
20. Univ. of California–Los Angeles * 3.7
20. University of Washington * 3.7
25. Ohio State University–Columbus * 3.6
25. Univ. of California–San Diego * 3.6
25. Univ. of Maryland–College Park * 3.6
25. University of Pennsylvania 3.6
29. Columbia University (NY) 3.5
29. Harvard University (MA) 3.5
29. University of California–Davis * 3.5
29. University of Colorado–Boulder * 3.5
29. Univ. of Southern California 3.5
34. Iowa State University * 3.4
34. North Carolina State U.–Raleigh * 3.4
34. Univ. of California–Santa Barbara * 3.4
34. University of Florida * 3.4
38. Arizona State University * 3.3
38. Brown University (RI) 3.3
38. Case Western Reserve Univ. (OH) 3.3
38. Lehigh University (PA) 3.3
38. Michigan State University * 3.3
38. University of Arizona * 3.3
38. University of Notre Dame (IN) 3.3
38. University of Virginia * 3.3
38. Vanderbilt University (TN) 3.3
38. Washington University in St. Louis 3.3
38. Yale University (CT) 3.3
49. Dartmouth College (NH) 3.2
49. University of Delaware * 3.2

The number to the right of each college name is the score the college received, and "*" means it is a public school. By the way, the list goes up to 100, but I think 50 is enough.

Thedad:

As I said to Candi, I've been having some trouble with the people on College Confidential as of late, and that combined with my recent rejection from MIT has put me in a pretty pitiful mood. I've been taking all remarks as attacks, and that just isn't like me. I apologize, and hope you understand.

Ella05:

Thanks for your suggestions! For the record, I had not originally planned to even apply to Cornell, but I heard about its phenominal engineering program, and figured that it couldn't hurt to send in a little piece of paper with a few essays and some scores. I'm glad I did.

Noodleman:

I keep taking things as attacks...I'm really sorry. People really hurt my feelings in a recent thread, and I've been resentful and scornful as of late. Thanks for the heads up, but I'm quite aware of my lack of an index page...and for some reason I like it like that ...

As for mentioning it in my profile...oops! I had actually linked to it originally, but I felt it was too personal and therefore removed the link...apparently, though, I forgot to remove it from the other section! My bad .

Anyway, there's nothing really personal on it that I wouldn't want an average web user to see...I just don't want it associated with my College Confidential account. After all, this forum is supposed to be confidential...

Krypt:

See response to Ella05.

Alphatrance:

The UC system has no Early Action/Decision process. Everyone applies at the same time. I know I'm in, though, because I was asked to interview for the Regents and Chancellor's Scholarship, and upon arrival I was personally informed (like everyone else who came) that I had been accepted...which was pretty cool.

Whew!

*Wipes sweat off forehead*
*Bead of sweat falls and hits poodle in the eye*
*Poodle cries and pees on the floor*
*Mom asks why my sweat is yellow*

I hope you all understand that I haven't been myself as of late. I'm a really fun guy, I promise!

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit

Now THAT IS a post!

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 08:39 pm: Edit

Indeed!

By Gabushida (Gabushida) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:36 pm: Edit

Why Cornell?
Well, the engineering is amazing, as you have noticed. Best of the Ivy League and one of the best period. And while it has amazing engineering, one of the other draws for me is that they offer a huge spectrum of classes, and they are ALL of an amazing caliber, so I can take a class on practically whatever I want (within reason, Underwater Basket Weaving 101 is being petitioned for :b) and I know it will be great. The school is challenging, but its worth it because and you are surrounded by such a great group of people from all over. Everyone I have met or talked to has loved their experience at Cornell. Also, the campus is absolutely amazing.

By Anita6 (Anita6) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:43 pm: Edit

Thanks Tavilach! Well, hope to see you at Cornell (if i get in that is...)Good luck!

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:07 pm: Edit

Thanks Gabushida, but the thing is...everything you said seems to match Berkeley and Stanford as well...



...oh, and Anita...you're welcome!

By Gabushida (Gabushida) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 11:39 pm: Edit

Well, thats what makes this hard :b

Size-wise, Berkeley is huge, and I believe Stanford is smaller than Cornell. I though initially Cornell would be big, but it really wasnt. Also, Mark Spencer, Director of Admissions for Engineering (this was at an Engineering Info Session) said something that really hit home: Its a big university, but you can make it as small as you want through the department or any of the large amount of activities they have.

To be honest, for me it came down between Cornell and Tufts, but it was a gut thing for Cornell, and I am totally satisfied I went with my gut.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 12:54 am: Edit

...but I don't have a gut feeling .

By Maesvt (Maesvt) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:09 am: Edit

hey tavilach, i appreciate the rankings, but are you sure that's legal?

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 01:24 am: Edit

I have no idea whatsoever.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 11:40 pm: Edit

Anyway, I'm still puzzled as to what differentiates Cornell from places like Berkeley or Stanford, which I would be more likely to attend (California)...

By Gabushida (Gabushida) on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 11:49 pm: Edit

Well, weather wise, you might like that better, but I actually seeked out the kind of environment Cornell is in. I couldnt live without snow :b

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 12:06 am: Edit

Snow is so fun! I used to play along the snowy slopes of Maine and Maryland, as a child...oh, those were the days.

By Swiginger (Swiginger) on Saturday, March 20, 2004 - 10:48 pm: Edit

I believe Berkeley is much more competitive due to less resources and more students in engineering (esp the really hot majors EE Cs etc). So if you are looking for a more collaborative environment Cornell is better, I think. The campus has so much natural beauty; the geology here is awesome. The city of Ithaca is small but there I think there is still enough to do when you have the time. Lots of outdoor sports. Don't worry too much about where you end up going though because at this point I think all the schools you're considering are good. So, rankings aside, the best school is the school you think you will do the best in. I think this is really important for grad schools; you can graduate from a good university that may not be at the very top but if you do something there that is distinguishing (research) and build good relationships with professors you will have a great chance of getting into the grad school of your choice. So in terms of Berkeley v Cornell, I believe that research opportunities are about the same but that there are more chances for human contact with profs at Cornell since the school is smaller. But Berkeley is definitely a great school in a very dynamic environment. Education is very applied there since it is in the Silicon Valley. All this is coming from a person turning down berkeley for caltech for grad school.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 12:47 am: Edit

Which school would be less likely to stifle my creativity...Cornell, Berkeley, or Stanford? I'm very concered about letting my creativity blossom (as I will apply creativity to engineering in order to invent things that might change the world...it's far-fetched, but I'm going to do it...watch me!)?

I thought MIT was the perfect environment for what I wanted to do, but their rejecting me (and given that my application showed insane creativity, as well as wonderful academics), while accepting people with some slightly higher scores (but no creativity), attests to the fact that the environment their might not be as geared towards creativity as they make it out to be...in which case I would have hated it there, anyway.

So...

By Dasweepa (Dasweepa) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 12:49 am: Edit

Stop whining. For 99% of the popluation, getting in there is simply having your name chosen out of the very large hat.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 01:03 am: Edit

Excuse me? I don't remember whining.

I was just explaining that I had thought MIT to be the environment I was looking for, but that I had evidently been wrong, and even if I had been accepted it would have been a bad choice.

It was just background information, to give a better idea of what I'm looking for: an environment that won't stifle my creativity (and hopefully could help it blossom) and that has an amazing engineering program.

Do you understand the reason I brought up MIT? I hope so.

Oh, and by the way...getting in there is not like that at all. You need to be unique in some way, in addition to having an extraordinary academic background. I had thought that my creativity was unique, but this was obviously not the kind of uniqueness they were looking for (if it was, I'd be in), thus contradicting their propaganda. I no longer resent the rejection, given that they don't accept the creative type, and if I had attended MIT (at least, for undergraduate school...I still probably want to go there for graduate) my creativity would have been stifled. You, however, seem to resent their admission process, calling it random (rather than seeking to explain it)...

Don't take any of the above as scornfull...I'm just trying to explain my point of view regarding MIT.

...but honestly, considering that MIT has no bearing on this thread, I think I'll leave it at that.

I hope I didn't offend anyone.



Now, on to bigger and better things...such as deciding between Cornell, Berkeley, and Stanford (even though, sadly, I'm sure I'll be rejected), based on my criteria.

By Dasweepa (Dasweepa) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 12:56 pm: Edit

Stop making excuses. You didn't get in cause there were better applicants. Since you were applying to MIT, you have probably been very good (if not the best) at whatever you do. You are not used to not being top dog. But, when applying to MIT, even the best at their school can be rejected. Stop trying to rationalize their decision. There were better applicants than you. That's a fact you need to accept. It wasn't MIT's fault you were rejected; it was the fact that there were applicants who brought more to the table than you did.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 02:25 pm: Edit

Note: If you are new to this thread, you can skip this reply...it's a lot of text that you don't have to read, especially if you are interested in talking about the actual topic at hand.

--

They brought more to MIT's table, because I was evidently not what MIT was looking for...however, if they had been looking for what they proposed to be looking for, I would have been accepted.

The fact that they accepted people similar to me, but with a tad bit higher scores and no evident creativity, attests to this. If they were looking for creativity, it would have helped me in the admissions process. It didn't, they weren't, and I would never have fit there (at least for undergraduate...graduate is a whole different ballgame)...isn't that what admissions is all about?

You need to stop with this bitter attitude. I'm adamant in my beliefs, and I'd appreciate it if you could just leave them alone. I'm not interested in arguing about this any further.

I'm sorry if I seem obnoxious. I don't intend to be...I just don't like how you jump to conclusions about me, and about what I stand for...and how MIT is becoming the topic of this thread.

So can we let this one go, and get back to the topic of Cornell vs. Berkeley vs. Stanford? I really am curious to know which ones would stifle creativity, and which would help it grow...

By Dasweepa (Dasweepa) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 03:57 pm: Edit

>>They brought more to MIT's table, because I was evidently not what MIT was looking for...however, if they had been looking for what they proposed to be looking for, I would have been accepted.

How would you know that there weren't others who were just as creative with better scores, grades, EC's, etc? You are not the best. Get over it!!!


>>You need to stop with this bitter attitude.

Listen to your own advice. You are clearly bitter about your rejection.

By Tavilach (Tavilach) on Sunday, March 21, 2004 - 06:45 pm: Edit

"How would you know that there weren't others who were just as creative with better scores, grades, EC's, etc? You are not the best. Get over it!!!"

Of course I'm not the best! I'm not even close...

However, I know some people who were accepted, and weren't nearly as creative...so yes, I would know.

"Listen to your own advice. You are clearly bitter about your rejection."

I'm actually just bitter when I'm attacked, and if you scroll up, you'll see that my initial bitterness was due to my feeling attacked, and it had ceased until I felt attacked again (i.e. until you posted). I was bitter about my rejection, but now I understand why I was rejected, and have no further reason to be bitter. Will you stop attacking me? This is not the MIT forum.

I'm going to lighten up the mood right now, and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't refer back to the topic of MIT, because quite frankly, no one on the Cornell forum (or, for that matter, on any forum) gives a rat's tuchus !

So, let's see, what would lighten up the mood...

I know!

http://www.collegeconfidential.com/discus/messages/8/54949.html