Cornell University Top Questions

Cornell's amazing. I've heard prefrosh who are nervous that we aren't near a city, but I think its better that way. Since we're in a more rural area, there's really no where to go... so on the weekends, everyone's on campus so you run into everyone you know! In terms of athletics, we don't get excited about football, but if you don't think Cornell has school spirit, then go to a hockey game! At first, I was afraid Cornell would be too big, but I can't imagine it being any smaller... I run into people I know everywhere!

Cornell is very big but very manageable because of the different colleges, which give students a chance to find their niche as well as their own area of the campus that they know extremely well. College town is great, so are the commons. Cornell is beautiful and natural, but doesn't feel isolated because there are plenty of places to go out to dinner. I didn't realize how big Greek life was here before I came. Joining a sorority turned out to be an amazing choice that I might not have made at a school where Greek life wasn't so popular- on the other hand, for people who thought 1/3 of the students being involved in Greek life wasn't a lot and do not want to join a sorority or frat, may be frustrated because the school does not give the first impression of being as Greek as it is. Best thing about Cornell is there is every type of person- preps, jocks, people who work insanely hard, alternative-type people, etc. Everyone can find someone like them.

I want smaller class sizes, because that's when you get the full impact of how smart the students are and how good the profs are. In a really large classroom, you can get lost and I lose interest in the info.

The only thing I believe I would change about Cornell is the attitude most of the people that go here tend to have. It's almost as if they feel they're above the rest of society, its rather snobbish in my opinion. Other than that, I enjoy extremely enjoy Cornell. Although the course loads are rather large and difficult, I find it to be a very healthy challenge.

Cornell Students are pushed to get jobs after College because they are well-prepared and they will leave with numerous connections in what they want to do.

Cornell is an excellent school with an excellent reputation. When I tell people I went there, the most common reaction is, "ooh -- Cornell." A close second is, "ooh -- look at you!" When I was there, no one gave a damn about any sport other than hockey, and those games are fun. Not that there aren't other sports that are good, it was just that nobody cared. Although we finally made the NCAA basketball tournament, and I went to the game in Anaheim -- go school! We lost that game, really, really badly. It was kind of hard to watch. Still, cool to be there.

I think the most amazing part of Cornell for me is the sheer volume of resources - in the library system, in faculty, and everywhere else. Whatever you'd like to do, you can do it. And with the College Scholars Program you're really not limited to choices for major (I'm not a part of it but I have friends that are involved). I'll sometimes go to bed at night just sort of in awe of all the classes that I'm taking, of the people here and of the environment that we're in. As a college town, Ithaca really does have a lot to offer in the way of getting out and eating or what have you, and the cross-section of different students mean that you could meet a few new people every day for your entire college career, and, based on your choices, never see them again or see them all the time. It's sort of remarkable that it never feels like there are 20,000 other people around, because you'll only ever know maybe a couple thousand of them (if you're INCREDIBLY social), but the size of the campus sort of reassures that it's never lonely around here.

Cornell is awesome. Just right size. Spend most of my time in collegetown. Don't feel like there is a lot of school spirit.

Cornell is AWESOME. Greek life is great, whether you're a part of it or not. There are always open parties and cool fundraisers that anyone can take a part in! For me, I am in the ILR school, one of the seven colleges at Cornell. There are about 800 kids so you really get to know your class. While the school is small so you recognize the kids in your classes, Cornell is huge! I get to experience the best of both worlds: small school in an academic setting but I have the resources of a large university, for more class choices and of course the social scene! When at Cornell, I spend a lot of time in Libe Cafe at Olin Library. I hang out in Catherwood Library in ILR and in the Student Lounge. When it's nice, I'll go sit outside by North Campus or on the slope! At night, if you aren't going to a Frat Party, Collegetown always offers a fun alternative, especially if you're over 21. The only thing I'd change about Cornell is school spirit. While it's rare to go a day without seeing at least 10 students rocking some Cornell gear, there isn't much spirit at the Football Games. Even when we made the NCAA tournament in both MEN and WOMEN's basketball this year, there wasn't' that much hype around it. Cornell is in beautiful Ithaca. While life is centered around campus life, there is also a ton to do in the area from Gorge Jumping, Apple Festival in the Fall, Walking on the Commons, Farmer's Market, etc!

Cornell seems to be a place where rich kids from the Northeast go after being rejected from their top choices, in order to congregate with others like themselves; the resulting effect is a massive inflation of ego in hopes of consolation, including frequent mention of Cornell's status as "the Hottest Ivy... bitch". Cornell is not a place for people seeking a cooperative, enriching learning experience. The competition is cutthroat, every man for himself. Even friends are reluctant to spend too much of their time helping you with work, because they have other classes to worry about. There's not the sense of community you find at smaller schools. People don't look out for one another. Go here if you're highly self-motivated and not afraid to seek out your own help. Cornell is not a place for those who aren't study-fiends, but don't drink either. The activities planned for non-drinkers are not well-attended, and tend to be looked down upon as "dorky". The town of Ithaca doesn't offer much for distraction either, especially in the cold months (read: October-April) when it's really not desirable to spend more than 10 minutes outside. The main attraction is Pyramid Mall, whose anchor store is Target (read: upscale Wal-Mart). A terribly boring place to live unless you like to get wasted or chase co-eds as a hobby. To be honest, the only thing keeping me from leaving Cornell is its name-brand status, which I'm actually beginning to doubt is all that consequential in the real world.