Cornell University Reviews

"Very intense courses, but you learn a lot. Depending on your background some will be review, which always helps to solidify concepts. Research opportunities are available right from the beginning, which is great."

"My graduate program is very flexible. We are required to take only one course. We have great seminars and colloquiua organized every week. Great research atmosphere."

"Great school for an MBA. It is a top 10 MBA with all the resources you might need. Consider the fact that is somewhat located out of a major city thus recruitment adds up to the costs."

"Cornell is the top veterinary school in the country for a reason. I am specifically specializing in shelter medicine and Ithaca is where the no-kill revolution began, and the local SPCA is one of the best in the country. The vet school is wonderful and everyone is supportive of each other. Classes are extremely difficult but that is to be expected, and opportunities abound for networking and hands-on experience."

"As a recent Cornell graduate myself, I would not recommend this school unless you are ready to embrace some of the things Cornell would do to your life. Cornell University, just recently ranked #11 in the world and #9, is undoubtedly a high quality institution. You will be taught by world class professors, who have probably won some awards as high value as the nobel prize in their field of study--but even so, they are actually very humble, approachable, and are willing to help you succeed. Academically, Cornell really excels. However, there’s always a cost to studying at a well-ranked university, in that you also have to be ready to embrace more challenges. Here are some costs that people don't really tell you about studying at Cornell. First, everyone at Cornell studies all the time (weekend, after 2 am, libraries are always full!)--the most common excuse for any event is one of these: prelims/finals/papers. Cornell students adore busyness. Second, winter in Ithaca is so cold (it still snows in May!). Sun does not like to stay very long either. Third, the buildings are quite old. Classes are far away from each other. The campus is located on the hill, and you are expected to walk about at least a mile per day to reach to your class. Fourth, the city of ithaca does not offer many entertainments, and it is an hour away from a big city, and 5 hours from New York City. Fifth, the restaurants at collegetown are wayyyy over priced. The food they sell on campus is expensive as well. So, honestly, if you don’t get accepted, seriously, don’t feel down. Consider yourself lucky for not having to face these hardships. BUT if you do get accepted at Cornell and have your mind and heart set at Cornell, then be ready for these hard hard challenges! I can assure you, they are worth it! Because Cornell has opened my eyes on so many things about humanity and has shaped an integral part of who I am. Once you graduate, you will be proud of yourself for earning not just a degree, but life values, endurance, and character."

"Cornell's master program in city and regional planning was a great experience that really helped me stand out amongst other job candidates during my job search after graduation. There are multiple tracks to choose from or specialize in and many professors with varying interests that you could work closely with through research assistance, teaching assistance, or private research on their publications. I do wish there was more practical experience to draw from the professors given that most of the professors have strict academic experience. If you were looking to work towards a PhD, this would be a great place. Nevertheless, Cornell has a ton of classes to take outside of the CRP program that can help boost practical experience like design, GIS, etc. classes. In fact, the professors encourage us to take as many classes outside of the CRP program too to get the most of our Cornell experience."

"The thing that really stands out about the Cornell M.Eng program is the interaction with the professors. I feel that I have gained more real-world knowledge and connections in one semester of my graduate program than in four years of undergrad at Cornell. The downside is that graduate students do not receive any financial aid. It makes it really tough to initially justify the decision to attend."

"The Cornell University Veterinary Medicine program is known to be the oldest and best rated out of all veterinary programs in the United States. From the moment I was invited to the information session after my acceptance into the program, I felt the warm of the faculty towards the students. I no longer felt the divide between teacher and student. But as mentors, colleagues, and friends. All of my professors have been dedicated, intelligent, and passionate individuals who continually support the class is so many ways. From coming in to the gross lab on the weekends for study sessions, to going jogging on lunch breaks, and even directing choirs and plays. The workload is intense, but manageable. My only wish is that there were more ethnic and cultural diversity within the classes. The cost of tuition is also a common issue many students face in graduate programs this day and age."

"The program is great in terms of course flexibility and allowing students to explore their interests through an intense senior design project. The masters in engineering program at Cornell is meant to be a continuation of the four year undergraduate degree and is only one year, which can be considered a pro or a con depending on what type of program your looking for. One con of the program is that it's very helpful to develop good relationships with faculty, and if you don't you can miss out on opportunities to do great research."

"Cornell's veterinary program is truly amazing. The passion and love for educating the students are clearly evident in all the professors. The curriculum itself is very unique and conducive to learning."

"I believe it is a great university with great infrastructure when compared to Columbia, Duke and others. Also Ithaca, NY is affordable when compared to other schools. The only con I find is probably its location but their reputation and the fact that it is a top business school makes its bearable since you are with great people around."

"A few weeks after beginning my graduate program at Cornell University, I was headhunted to carry-out an agricultural research in Burundi, Africa. The vast collaborations that Cornell has with other institutions is the main reason why this opportunity was made possible. Without a doubt, the program has opened me up to new ways of learning. I'm already interacting with communities, giving of myself daily, while still having an enriching experience of personal development and professional network building."

"Johnson focuses on real world business approaches. Students leave with solid experience. The career services are among the best in the world."

"CIPA offers a flexible curriculum, which has pros and cons. Some students seem a little lost in choosing courses, but others create a comprehensive course. Financially, CIPA compares VERY favorably to all of its competitor programs at other schools. For me, the price was worth it. Ithaca is not the best, but the pros outweigh the cons of the surrounding area."

"Great program. Faculty is helpful. Network helps with job search. Living cost is high."

"Cornell University provides an unparalleled education for engineering. Students are really pushed to work to their limits and find out just how talented they are. The graduate program really motivates students to design and create the best possible idea to further human life and achievement. The only con to the graduate program is the cost. At a duration of one year, the program does not last long, and because of this little to no aid is provided by the school. Master's students are forced to take out very high sums of money in loans."

"Graduate students in my program at Cornell are very fun in addition to being motivated. The atmosphere is generally collaborative rather than competitive, and the professors are very helpful and often available. Ithaca is beautiful and has great restaurants, but it is pretty inconvenient to get to and from."

"The rigor and volume of work required in the veterinary program is high, but there is generally a great atmosphere; the faculty are incredibly willing to help all students and the intensity of the program encourages students to help each other out and thereby fosters friendships."

"My graduate program at Cornell is pretty intense, but I am certain that I will have a lot of good experience and scientific research completed at the end of my PhD. The networking between different professors and programs on campus is actually very good and encouraged. The campus itself is equipped with much of the technology and technical skills that one might want to use, if their research calls for it. The surrounding area, unfortunately is the fairly small town of Ithaca. There are some nice gorges and hiking trails nearby, but otherwise there is not a lot to do in the town, compared to actual cities. Furthermore, the living costs here are quite high as well and transportation is not great. Overall, the campus is really good for research, but the surrounding area is not enormously accommodating."

"Cornell's campus is nice in that it promotes a lot of collaboration between labs across campus, and many scientists with varying interests are able to discuss their scientific interests freely here. There are also many laboratories and technical facilities available for using high end equipment, if one's research calls for it. My particular program is challenging in that I am kept very busy, but it also means that I get a lot of experience and a lot of experiments completed for papers. The surrounding area unfortunately does not offer a lot of variable excitement. There are many gorges and waterfalls and some great hiking places nearby, but the town of Ithaca is honestly very small and rural, and there is not a lot to do, especially if one does not have a car. Furthermore, the bus system around town is lacking in a few ares away from downtown. Living expenses are also quite high in the area, which can make things a bit difficult. Overall, the science is great here, but the town itself and living outside of the laboratory can be a little difficult."