See what Students are Posting about Cornell University

Career Outcomes

Students praise Cornell's strong alumni network and solid career placement across industries. Particularly strong placement is noted in engineering, business, hospitality, and law.

Academic Breadth

Students frequently praise Cornell's wide range of academic offerings across multiple colleges and disciplines. The ability to study specialized fields such as hotel administration, agriculture, architecture, engineering, and business is seen as a major advantage.

This academic diversity appeals to students with both niche and interdisciplinary interests.

STEM and Engineering

Cornell's College of Engineering and strong STEM programs are frequently cited as among the best in the country. Students interested in technical fields consistently rank Cornell highly for academic rigor and post-graduate outcomes.

Research opportunities and industry connections in engineering fields are seen as major advantages.

School Spirit

Students often cite Cornell's school spirit, traditions, and sense of pride as important parts of the campus experience. From hockey games to longstanding traditions like Dragon Day, campus culture fosters a strong sense of belonging.

Campus Setting

Cornell's Ithaca location, known for its natural beauty and rural environment, is a major point of discussion. Some students value the scenic setting and tight-knit campus community, while others express concerns about geographic isolation.

Students often weigh lifestyle preferences carefully when choosing Cornell.

Weather and Climate

Cornell's long, cold winters are a frequent topic of discussion. While some students enjoy the seasonal beauty of Ithaca, others note that the harsh weather can impact mood and campus energy levels.

Campus Culture

Cornell's campus culture is frequently described as hardworking and academically intense. Students acknowledge a strong sense of pride but also note that the workload can be overwhelming at times.

Community support systems and extracurricular involvement are important to balancing academic demands.

Pre-Professional Focus

Cornell's emphasis on pre-professional preparation, particularly in business, engineering, hospitality, and agriculture, is a major draw. Career outcomes and internship access are strong selling points in student conversations.

Students appreciate the focus on building practical skills alongside academic rigor.

Peer Comparisons

Students accepted to Cornell often weigh it against Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Northwestern. Decisions often revolve around academic fit, campus culture, financial aid, and specific college strengths within Cornell.

Cornell's unique offerings, such as the Dyson School or CALS, are often deciding factors.

Financial Aid

Cornell's need-based financial aid policies are seen as competitive but not always as generous as some peer Ivies. Students often compare aid packages when making final enrollment decisions.

Affordability discussions are particularly common among students weighing offers across multiple Ivy League institutions.