Cornell University

Cornell is full of good and bad things. Academically, it is second to none, but the Professors tend to be detached and uncaring. Personally, about half of the population is friendly and nice, and the other half is stuck up and snooty. My department was abhorrent, but other departments that I dealt with and took classes in were much better. Professors tend to advocate a singular line of reasoning (in History) and want to hear their arguments regurgitated on tests and exams. Originality is not favored, and neither is conservatism. As a conservative, I have often felt pressured to keep silent in class discussions. The Professors are very leftist on the whole, which I think eliminates any ideological debate from historical arguments. They all tend to follow the neo-marxist line of historical reasoning (with some notable exceptions, who were fair and balanced in presenting lectures).

The campus is beautiful, but this past winter (2003) was extremely cold and snowy. There are numerous extracurricular activities here, several hundred student organizations and intramural sports, and I think that is the best part of the whole experience.

Socially, there are two roads you can take - Greek or non-Greek. About 30% of the population is in the Greek system, which can make the non-Greeks feel isolated and out of the social loop. However, the bar scene in Collegetown (where most upperclassmen live) is pretty good, and the two scenes meet there in the bars.All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and I would do it again, but perhaps not as a history major.

4th Year Male -- Class 2003

Campus Aesthetics: A, Innovation: D