Cornell University Top Questions

What do you consider the worst thing about Cornell University? Why?

Marvin

The weather (very snowy and cold) followed by the lack of attention you might receive from academic advisors. Also, there is very little cooperation between majors, which can present a big problem within your prospective college.

Haley

Too many hills - you usually walk everywhere, and any way you walk you walk uphill. Gets tiring if you are carrying a lot of books.

Jessica

The weather; It's so bad that you don't want to go to class or anywhere sometimes

Jonathan

The hills. It gets you tired if all you do is walk and don't have a bus pass.

John

The weather and location is terrible because it is a very cold climate in a rugged terrain. This makes travel hard and gives students a reason to not go to class.

Raymond

The amount of pressure that classes put on me. Also, the intensity of exams is very demoralizing. No matter how hard I study, I have been unable to as well as I would like on any exam so far.

Daniel

The fees--there are often extra fees for things, including the fitness centers. The school charges an "activities fee" but does not allocate its funds appropriately.

Corri

Classes are definitely more difficult here then I would assume they would be other places. You end up not doing incredibly well in some classes, but it's okay because you're graduating from Cornell.

Kentaro

CS 100J

Katie

A lot of introductory lectures are quite big, so students have to actively seek out professors if they want to get to know them. It's also easy to feel neglected in such large classes. However, it's good to get in the habit of seeking out professors anyway; and this is a big, competitive school, so you need to get used to the idea that you're competing for grades with lots of smart people in the more basic classes. The more advanced classes are smaller and allow you much better opportunity for personalized learning.

Alex

The location. I love the college-town setting, but wish that our campus was a bit closer to a big city; given that at times campus can feel suffocating.

Amanda

Weather. It's always either raining or snowing. It's beautiful in the summer but no one's there for the summer. It's also in the middle of no where.

Lauren

There are seven undergraduate schools, and it is difficult to take classes outside of the school you are in. I am interested in taking classes in the art and architecture field, but it is nearly impossible for me to enroll in these classes because I am in the school of Arts and Sciences.

Daniela

Campus housing availability. After freshman year many students have to live off campus.

Brian

The weather and the pressure to do well academically. People are obsessed about their GPAs.

Deirdre

Cornell has two main extremes of people: the privileged trust fund legacies, and the introverted, antisocial nerds. There are a few people in between, but not many. Snobs abound here.

Jennifer

Cliques

Kathryna

There's very little to do. Ithaca has no fun areas to visit...almost feel isolated

Elena

That it costs so much. You do get a lot for your money but sometimes I feel that I could be just as well off at a state school where I would be paying a fraction of the price I pay to go to Cornell.

Heather

doesn't focus enough on vollunteering or the liberal arts