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College Prowler

Academics

Cornell is one of the few places that allows for such exceptional exposure to one of the world’s most prominent faculty on a day-to-day basis. I’ve always been impressed with the caliber of teaching and the commitment professors make to each individual student. It’s up to the student to be proactive after class or in supplementary office hours where professors contribute quality time to explain or discuss topics in-depth. Highlights of my Cornell experience include the interactions I had with countless professors of the most impressive backgrounds who engaged me that much more and instilled within me new intellectual interests.

Athletics

We probably the best sports in the Ivy League. Hockey, track, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, and other sports are perennially at the top of the Ivy League and nationally ranked.

Campus Dining

Really, I can't complain about campus food. The dining halls are mostly good and offer a decent variety. At least, there are enough dining halls that you can avoid stuff you don't like. As for cash-and-carry places, most are alright. They can be a bit expensive—except the Dairy Bar, the cheapest coffee on campus—but the food is alright. Trillium's tomato cheese soup is amazing, and the Dairy Bar is awesome for breakfast!

Campus Housing

The bad dorms on West Campus (upperclassmen) have recently been demolished and new dorms have been built. These new dorms are modeled after residential colleges, and each has its own dining hall, faculty in residence, and activities. While some complain the new buildings look like "student factories," rooms in these buildings are now some of the best on campus.

Campus Strictness

I have to say that the campus police are fairly lax about drinking, considering the large amount of underage drinking that goes on, but less so about drugs. If you are going to do either, don't do it in the dorms, you'll most likely get caught.

Computers

I frequently have to wait in line for a computer at the library if I didn't bring a laptop. Library search stations are generally available, but not all computing facilities are full productivity. RedRover is fast, and Wi-Fi computing on the slope is pretty sweet.

Diversity

The campus is very diverse. International students are numerous, and it’s hard not to encounter students with unique backgrounds or clashing interests in your classes. In my experience, the exposure builds tolerance and develops new insights.

Drug Scene

I have never done any drugs, so I don’t know too much about it. I try to stay away from that, but I am fairly certain that there are plenty of drugs being passed around. You can pretty much get whatever you want whenever you want, it if you need it.

Facilities

Most facilities on campus are nice. Some of the more recent buildings are very ugly, but the libraries are all well stocked, and the athletic facilities seem fairly modern. Student centers seem to receive a lot of money, which is odd because people don't seem to frequent them that often. The gyms at Cornell are well stocked and worth the relatively low membership cost.

Greek Life

Greek life is probably exactly what you would expect it to be—the stereotypes are mostly true. It does tend to dominate the social scene because fraternities and sororities are basically social clubs—that’s their purpose. So while it does dominate social life, it does not dominate the student population. Basically, Greek life is here if you’re interested in it. If you aren’t, then it’s very easy to disregard it. There is definitely still a social scene that is not associated with Greek life. The bars and clubs are their own thing. There are also a great number of house parties every weekend that friends will throw. Personally, I was not involved with Greek life here. I do not regret my decision, but Greek life definitely has its benefits. It can be a good social outlet if you want that kind of structure. It can also come in handy for connections.

Guys & Girls

It’s no secret that the quality of females around campus is seriously lacking. That may even be an understatement. Maybe this comes at the cost of an Ivy League education. Everyone has his or her own unique niche, but the Greek scene entirely pervades the social scene around campus. If you’re a good-looking girl in a sorority, then you’ll have the time of your life. For guys, unfortunately, be prepared to put on your Cornell goggles. If Greek life is up your alley, then you’ll find many of your cohorts at the bars on weekends. If you prefer to steer clear of that scene, house parties and places like Stella’s might be more enjoyable.

Local Atmosphere

Ithaca is a very progressive town. A lot of the locals (not associated with the University) are hippie types as a result (though not all of them are; that’s a generalization). Ithaca College is also here, but it’s a fair distance away from Cornell. There are also other schools that aren’t far like Cortland and Wells. There is a lot of stuff to visit, but it depends on what you’re into. The scenery here is incredibly beautiful. We have waterfalls, gorges, and gardens. So if having a beautiful campus is a major issue to you, then that’s definitely a bonus in Cornell’s column.

Nightlife

Parties around campus are typically situated in fraternity houses. They’re filled with underage students who pack themselves in elbow-to-elbow, swaying to hip-hop beats in a hazy stupor until the overwhelming smell of spilled beer becomes too much to handle. House parties off campus are a lot more exciting and personal, affording the chance for new introductions and bonding. Party hoppers usually cram into the bars around midnight for last call at the Palms, a hot spot if you’re 21. Maxie’s and Stella’s have intimate atmospheres and great cocktails. Stella’s also presents regular DJs during weeknights for cocktail hours.

Off-Campus Dining

It’s surprising and especially pleasing to find that excellent restaurants are plentiful around the Finger Lakes. Pangea in downtown Ithaca offers an exotic menu of Asian infusion. Plum Tree, the ‘in spot’ on weekends, serves first-rate Japanese and has the best sake bombs around. John Thomas is renowned for its steaks, and Just a Taste is famous for its tapas menu and diverse wine selection. The options are numerous, so make sure you start looking around early as an underclassman and save up leftover beer money for some quality and enjoyable dining experiences.

Off-Campus Housing

Most students tend to move out of the dorms after freshman year, although optional housing for upperclassmen is centralized on west campus. If you pledge a fraternity or sorority, living in a house is a possibility. Housing in Collegetown is en vogue, not just for locality, but for comfort and spaciousness as well. These perks come at a high cost. Large houses on Dryden and Eddy Street or apartments at Valentine are much more affordable. Living with close friends off campus is a memorable experience and still allows you the chance to bond with neighbors in the vicinity and around the block.

Overall Experience

Overall, my experience at Cornell has been very rewarding. The academic opportunities are immense, and the resources at your disposal are not to be overlooked. If your aim is to get one of the best educations in the world, this is the place to be. But a top-tier Ivy League education in Ithaca comes at a cost. The long winter months makes Ithaca a very bleak and miserable place to live. While the summers and clear skies are gorgeous (Ithaca is gorges), they don’t make up for the miserable weather by a long shot. They do, however, make Cornellians appreciate the summer that much more.

Parking

Parking is terrible. There is absolutely nowhere to park legally on campus if you’re a student. You get a permit for your dorm lot, but that aside, there’s almost nowhere to park during the day or evening before 10 p.m. There are a lot of spaces; they’re just reserved. However, you will always have a spot in your dorm lot. The north and west campus lots are never full.

Safety & Security

The campus is both very secure and safe. We have something called blue-light escort service, which is a system with a blue streetlight and a special phone. Supposedly, no matter where you are on campus, you can see one of these. You push the button on the phone and it immediately connects you to Cornell police. You may also have an escort take you to wherever you have to go on campus late at night.

Transportation

The T-Cat bus system is a very convenient way of getting around the Ithaca area. First-year and transfer students get free fare, and all other students ride free on weeknights and during the weekend.

Weather

Bring your snow boots, North Face down jacket, windbreaker, wool mittens, Gore-Tex socks, and ski mask. If you’re going to survive the Ithaca winter, either lock yourself away at home or be prepared to brave the elements with a wardrobe of Everest gear. Regardless of massive snowfall, class will never be cancelled. If you’re not going to cut, make sure you cover all exposed skin to avoid frostbite.