DCUM Forum

Anonymous

03/28/2025 15:49 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i would 100% pick Emory. We visited Cornell and just found it to be super depressing. The city isn't charming (tons of vape shops, even obvious addicts wandering around etc) the campus is pretty poorly kept up, the kids looked unhappy and intense, the weather was crummy.
We really, really wanted to like Cornell as there was a major that my DC was interested in but it was just such a disappointment in these other ways. Your impression mileage may completely vary but we literally visited a second time to see if our impressions were wrong on trip number one.

It depends on if your kid wants from a college campus experience or not Emory is great for Atlanta but doesn’t have the parties and collegiate atmosphere that most kids want.

Most kids are used to dumpy downtown college towns.

My Cornell freshman had a rocky start first semester but absolutely loves loves the school now. Has amazing friends, challenging classes, unreal activities and a very very active social life.

Do an overnight in both places - if your kid is focused on social fit. Have kid reach out to kids they know on campus.

Atlanta is more of a party city than Vegas, only Miami compares. It's easy to have a great time at Emory.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 15:39 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Ask your kid to search for some of the Cornell frat parties on TikTok or other social media. The videos are insane. Famous DJs that they spend thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on for fraternity parties. Crazy crazy crazy money goes into those parties.

Some of the fraternities are bankrolled by half of Wall Street - lots of independent fundraising.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 15:37 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Everyone outside of the engineering college are having fun. I did not enjoy the way engineering students spoke of their experience at Cornell; you could find more positive experiences from gulag victims.

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Because Cornell is big and has multiple colleges, you can't generalize about the student experience the way you could for say a 2,000 student college. I agree with the statement above. My child did not have much fun in Cornell Engineering, which is a real grind. However, that might be true at most engineering programs. She did go to some frat parties but there are lots of other ways to have fun on campus. Many students have free time and lots of fun at Cornell ... depends on the major and whether the student is focused on GPA.

I went to Cornell and did engineering. This is correct.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:46 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Everyone outside of the engineering college are having fun. I did not enjoy the way engineering students spoke of their experience at Cornell; you could find more positive experiences from gulag victims.

--------
Because Cornell is big and has multiple colleges, you can't generalize about the student experience the way you could for say a 2,000 student college. I agree with the statement above. My child did not have much fun in Cornell Engineering, which is a real grind. However, that might be true at most engineering programs. She did go to some frat parties but there are lots of other ways to have fun on campus. Many students have free time and lots of fun at Cornell ... depends on the major and whether the student is focused on GPA.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:20 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:19 Subject: Emory v Cornell

I’m not sure why we are even discussing Emory in the same sentence as Cornell….what a joke.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:19 Subject: Emory v Cornell

DS is a Cornell. He has had his fair share of partying freshman year. I went to Cornell and the party scene has not changed.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:18 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Emory definitely has that reputation much more than Cornell.

Agree.
Pre-med at Emory is notoriously competitive and dour. But could be a good fit for a very studious kid.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 14:17 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

It’s very very social but only if in Greek life.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 13:04 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Emory definitely has that reputation much more than Cornell.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 12:57 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:Don’t pick college based on weather. It’s 4 years.
Are the people there your people? Is the vibe your vibe?

Weather can strongly affect vibe. I did undergrad in the south, where the sunny, warm weather brought people outside and had a huge affect on mood and socialization. My sister went to college in upstate NY and worked hard to be outgoing and social. It worked out fine, but the gloomy weather made things much harder (and many classmates more glum.)

Anonymous

03/28/2025 12:55 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Oh no, Cornell is definitely fun!

(They have had very public suicides over the years. Honestly, mental health issues have escalated for all kids, everywhere.)

For many, many kids, Cornell is an enjoyable experience.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 12:53 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:Cornell is more fratty/party if your kid wants that.

Can people with kids currently at Cornell verify whether this is true? Our sense is that Cornell is where fun goes to die … which makes DC reluctant to apply, even though they have the stats and their HS is a strong feeder. Thx.

Anonymous

03/28/2025 12:38 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Don’t pick college based on weather. It’s 4 years.
Are the people there your people? Is the vibe your vibe?

Anonymous

03/28/2025 12:37 Subject: Emory v Cornell

Anonymous wrote:Should be an easy choice based on location & weather as both are excellent schools.

Yup. Emory weather is gross.
😷