Is Cornell really that bad?
I am a high school junior and was planning to ED to Cornell next year. I eventually want to break into IB but I’m seeing crazy Cornell hate on this site. From what I know/researched, they place pretty well at top banks. Why is Cornell so hated and are they really that bad compared to other top schools?
And any college admissions advice from recent grads is welcome :)
Have a good friend there. It’s shit and cutthroat toxic
Competitiveness drives excellence, however.
If only you were competitive enough to go to a better school in the first place
No. God no LOL. Teaching people to be competitive is not the same as teaching them to be excellent. All....and I mean ALL....of the highest powered people I know are intensely collaborative and more to the point.....they're the best at what they do. Competition gets you a job. Excellence allows you to keep it.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, it's important to note that the perception of Cornell, especially in the context of investment banking (IB) placements, can be quite polarized. Here's a breakdown to address your concerns:
Placement Data: According to data from Linkedin/Peakframeworks mentioned in the discussions, Cornell placed 171 students in positions, while Dartmouth placed 99. However, it's crucial to consider the size of the student body in this comparison. Cornell has over 15,000 students, and Dartmouth has significantly fewer, which could skew perceptions of placement success rates.
Perception vs. Reality: Some comments suggest that Cornell is viewed as the "worst ivy" due to its larger size and perceived ease of admission compared to other Ivy League schools. However, this perception doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of education or the opportunities available to Cornell students, especially in highly competitive programs like Dyson.
Program Strengths: Comments from the WSO threads highlight that Cornell's Dyson School has "insane recruiting" and that it's easy to get good grades there. This suggests that for students in specific programs, like Dyson, Cornell offers excellent opportunities for internships and placements in IB.
Community and Alumni Network: Despite the criticisms, there are also positive remarks about the Cornell community and the expansive alumni network. This network can be a significant advantage for students looking to break into competitive fields like investment banking.
Comparative Prestige: While some discussions suggest that Dartmouth and other Ivies may be more prestigious or have a higher regard among certain circles, it's essential to remember that individual outcomes can vary widely. Success in breaking into IB often depends more on personal initiative, networking, and performance than on the school's brand alone.
Admissions Advice: - Focus on Fit: Choose a school that aligns with your academic interests, career goals, and personal preferences. Prestige is important, but fit is crucial for your success and happiness. - Highlight Your Strengths: In your application, emphasize your achievements, experiences, and qualities that make you a unique candidate. Tailor your application to showcase how you can contribute to and benefit from the Cornell community. - Networking and Research: Start building your network early. Reach out to current students, alumni, and professionals in your field of interest. This will not only provide valuable insights but also help you in your future career search.
Remember, while forums like WSO can offer insights and perspectives, it's also important to gather information from a variety of sources and ultimately make a decision that's best for you.
Sources: Cornell Dyson vs. Dartmouth for Undergrad, Brown vs. Cornell, Q&A: Johnson (Cornell) 2nd Year MBA Ask Me Anything, Are These Good Schools for NYC Investment Banking?, Why don't banks target many state schools?
This is what I would say. Its competitive here, but everyone who survives Cornell, he/she will do well in the industry. Cornell last year placed 56 to jpmorgan, 29 to goldman sachs, 20 to baml and citi, 9 blackstone, and 5 evercore. There were only 460 going into finance industry per its career service report.
56 in a year to jpm ib?? Or includes other roles
around 10-15 to ibd, and the rest going to other departments
Lmao 57 to ib is impossible
Cornell alum. This website is filled with toxicity lol. Everyone likes to shit on the school to make themselves feel better about going to a school with a marginally higher ranking on USNWR. The school is only really cutthroat for STEM. People get stressed out while recruiting but that happens everywhere. Dyson, for example, is nowhere near as cutthroat as Stern or Wharton. I had a great time there, as did most of my friends. Placement has only improved since I’ve graduated, as banks that didn’t use to recruit there are now doing so actively.
The only real negative I felt was the weather but it’s not going to be all that much better at other Ivies or top LACs in the Northeast. If you really like the school, you shouldn’t let people on this forum (which includes a fair number of trolls) deter you from applying early.
I go to Cornell and I also shit on the school lol
Any reasons why?
I expect to receive MS from classmates/alumni, but I'll elaborate:
If you go to Cornell it generally means 2 things:
Objectively, Cornell is not a bad school -- it's actually pretty decent. However, a lot of people I know chose Cornell over objectively better schools such as Duke, UChicago, CMU CS, and Caltech for the sole reason that Cornell is an ivy. Note I am not talking about finance here; this applies to the school in general. There's nothing wrong with Cornell; I just find that a lot of people who go there are either type 1 or 2 which are both unbearable personalities in my opinion.
(In case you were curious, I came in as type 2 but am trying to change my ways)
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