Cornell University Top Questions

Classes here are what you choose to make of them. As an underclassmen, there are a LOT of larger classes, where the professors love what they're teaching about and show enthusiasm, but generally only know the students who take the extra effort to talk after class or in office hours. Students are really smart here, and will often get into conversations about classes, politics, and social awareness. Students can also be really competetive, but it depends on the major. Pre-meds are probably the worst, and will often refuse to work together, share work, etc.

Favorite classes are one's that can hold my attention and the teacher is very engaged with the students. I don't like the competitive factor that drives most of Cornell students.

Academics at Cornell are rigorous, but if you put in the effort you are rewarded with good grades. Professors only know students' names in seminar-style classes, but I enjoy large lecture classes even though they are somewhat impersonal.

Engineering will eat your soul.

Depends on the class.

(All comments are for Engineering) In engineering, nearly all classes through your first couple years will be massive, and the professors will not have any idea who you are. For those of you that need individual attention, you will have to rely on section TAs to explain concepts to you. The required courses will not grant you much freedom in terms of electives. Students come out of the engineering college with great job offers. Every senior I know got a job in the field he wants to pursue. (All comments are for general academics) The AEM program, while nationally recognized as one of the top business programs, is notoriously easy.

Classes are hard. Period. It's college: what do you expect? If you actually value your education (and you should if you are willing to apply to and pay for college) this shouldn't be a problem. If you want a place where you can relax and party for a few years, take your forty grand and go to Tahiti. Otherwise, suck it up and learn something.

some of my professors know my name. the majority know my face. favorite class- DEA 150 most difficult- Honors chem some students are very competitive, while the majority hide it. many students ask questions, even in lecture

My favorite class is Organizational Behavior. My professor is amazing. She is very committed to being an effective professor. I'm in the Hotel School. I absolutely LOVE it. My classmates are amazing. I think the fact that we have to do an interview for admission makes our class much better. Students can be very competitive. Especially my friends in the hard sciences. I understand the purpose of having a well-rounded education, but I would much rather take more hotel classes than take the required courses outside the hotel school. I like things that are relevant to what I am doing. There does not seem to be very many courses outside the Hotel School that interest me and fit with my schedule. My hotel classes are very geared toward getting a job and being effective in that job. The classes outside the Hotel School that I have taken do not seem as relevant. I have not liked any of the classes I have taken outside the Hotel School.

There are so many classes to take and so many majors to choose from, so the possibilities are numerous.