CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Overview

Cornell University's campus is big enough to have its own zip code, not surprising given the seven colleges and schools that comprise this Ivy League university. You might catch a glimpse of an ''Ithaca is gorges'' T-shirt hinting at the beauty of the hilly 745 –acre campus with its gardens, gorges, and waterfalls. The spectacular view, Ithaca and Cayuga lakes, and a plethora of outdoor activities do have a few drawbacks though getting to class can feel like a real trek, and theca is a small and remote town. Cornell's main campus is teeming with activity over 260 university buildings, nearly 800 student group s and a whopping 4,000 courses are just some of the offering. Cornell is  big enough to  be divided into North campus , West campus,  Central Campus  and East Hill as well as college town (on south side) and Plantations, Vet Quad, and Orchards (on the east side).

Cornell is said to be the easiest Icy to get into –though admission is still very competitive. Cornell's unique structure distinguishes it from the other: four of its colleges/schools are private and three are public, creating in-state tuition options. As a top -notch research institution, Cornell offers students an enormous amount of resources, though some complain that their professors are more focused on personal advancement than teaching. The university also consistently ranks near the top of the list of U.S. News and World Report.  Students who attend will have to be able to contend with rigorous classes and the pressure to succeed in a highly competitive environment.

Academics

Due to Cornell's decentralized structure, each of its seven undergraduate colleges and schools is fairly autonomous, managing its own admission and academic programs. Required classes vary by college. the college of arts and sciences requires first- year writing seminars; foreign language courses; distribution courses in cultural analysis, historical analysis, knowledge, cognition, and moral reasoning  literature and the arts, social and behavioral analysis, and physical and biological sciences; two physical education courses; and passing the swim test. The college of arts and sciences has the most students, followed by the agriculture and life sciences and engineering college together these account for about three –quarters of the student population. There are nearly 80 undergraduate majors, and while most professes are highly praised and many are well known in their own advancement than imparting their best teachers, being more focused on their own advancement than imparting their knowledge to students. Some ''aren't afraid to cancel class when they have a conference to attend '' while others ''give out their cell phone number  just so students can reach them,'' say student . There are some large lecture courses such as psych 101 , which has more than 1,000 student, but this is atypical, especially as students enter upper level classes ,. the most common course size is 10 to 19 students.

            With 98 percent of student s in the top 25 percent of their high school class , the competitive  atmosphere among student isn't surprising. The competition ''isn't overt and doesn't stop us from cooperating on projects, but it is an underlying sense,'' comments a student. Cornell has a reputation for an intense workload. However, Cornell's label as a ''suicide college'' is statistically unwarranted: suicide rates aren't actually higher there than at any other colleges. Strong programs include agricultural sciences, biological sciences, economics, engineering degree s (including computer science, environmental engineering, and mechanical engineering), English, and hotel administration, industrial and labor relations, and veterinary medicine , all of which  are highly regarded programs, especially hotel administration. according to the university , its interdisciplinary research centers in nanotech, biotech, supercomputing, and genomics ''sets Cornell apart from its Ivy League peers.''

 

 

CORNELL COLLEGE

 

 

 

Overview

''We're not in Ithaca '' Cornell College's website reminds its visitors. Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, do seem to share some surface similarities: students at booth schools have to brave cold , snowy winters and steep inclines hence Cornell college's nickname ''the hilltop''(not to be confused with the university 's nickname , ''The Hill''). However, there are many factors that unmistakably distinguish the liberal arts college from any other schools. Cornell's wooded 129 acre campus in Mount Vernon, Iowa is not only beautiful but historic: indeed, it was the first college to have its entire campus listed on the national register of historic places. Unfortunately, being situated in Mount Vernon does limit the off campus social scene; the nearest major city, Chicago, is 200 miles away. Cornell College may not have the brand name recognition that the ivy league university of the same name enjoys, but it ranks high in academics: Forbes magazine ranked Cornell the top college the top college in Iowa and the college was recently ranked ninth on U.S.  News and World Report's ''Schools to watch'' list.

            Perhaps the most distinguishing factor of Cornell college is its'' one course at a time'' (OCAAT) system , where academic terms involve studying you guessed it just one subject . This system, as well as the small size of the college, cakes for a tight- knit student body. Students who are happy to live in Iowa, and want to attend  a strong school where they can get their college education in focused'' blocks,'' will thrive at Cornell.

 

Academic

Cornell College offers 35 majors, 25 minors, and 11 pre-professional programs. The strongest programs are biology, economics and business, elementary education, English, psychology, and pre-professional programs in law and medicine. All students are required to complete a capstone project, but by far the most unusual requirement for Cornell students is participation in the college's unique one course at a time (OCAAT) system. what is normally covered in a semester at a typical university fits into less than 18 Cornell class days, allowing student to focus deeply in the three and a half weeks of each of these '' blocks.'' there is a four-and a half day ''block break'' after each course ends.'' I love the block plan because I can live and breathe a subject for an entire month,'' say a student. The '' block plane'' makes for strong relationship s among student s and between student and their professors. However, some participants feel it is less ideal for foreign language classes. A class cap of 25 and low faculty student ratio ensure that student get individualized attention. The bachelor of special studies also allows students to carve an individualized path with the guidance of faculty student design their own liberal arts program as outlined in their prospectus. The BSS offers flexibility since there are no general education requirements or constraints. Other special academic opportunities include the competitive Cornell Fellows Program, a chance for high level internships and professional mentoring for a select group of about 30 students.

According to the college, students typically study in more than 20 countries each year. One block Cornell courses provide a window to study abroad for those who don't want to go for an entire semester (semesters are broken down in blocks one to four and five to nine). About 65 percent of Cornell students pursue graduate studies, and the college ranks 68th among U.S. private four-year college in the number of graduates who go on to earn PhDs. The career office offers number of services for students and alumni, such as individual counseling, help with preparing for internships, and finding jobs. Half of students enter a career related to their major within one year of graduating.