Undergrad Architecture - Cornell vs. Columbia (is it even worth it anymore?)
"Oh jeez" - rick and morty
Never assumed to be in this position since I really had low expectations about the process, I was skeptical about being admitted to Syracuse since they rarely accept people from IB programs (guys i think he does IB) March 28th comes, I see that Columbia accepted me. After being deferred from Cornell ED, I assume "well theres no way I got into columbia, theres definetly no way the luck will pass on to Cornell." Well against all statistical caveats, I got into both and fainted in the shower before prompty rushing out with a towel, screaming into the living room where my parents were. Family friends are proud, but deliver mixed results about which to accept. I'll list the pros and cons (subjectively) for each program, and would like to know ANY opinions, experiences, advice, hardships, etc. that anyone would like to share. I also got accepted to syracuse on a full scholarship, and since its a top 5 US Undergrad architecture program thats accredited, I'm still questioning my decision to not enter there.
Columbia:
Pros
It's columbia, 3.7% acceptance rate and have been wanting to go since kindergarten.
Obscenely amazing location, and the campus allows you to do anything in your 3 minutes of weekly free time
After taking a summer course there, the student body seems pretty lit as an understatement. People are genuinely fun to be around, and I can see myself enjoying the experience there
Internships in NYC are supreme, but will have to find them myself
Better financial aid package than Cornell
Cons
4 year non-accredited program; I'll have to take a masters, which I plan to do anyway, but will have to work overtime in order to strengthen my portfolio to a level that can get me into a good masters program
Liberal arts program, meaning that I'll have less architectural work and more intellectual work. Not a problem, but I will basically be taking a break from the career path which I intend to follow
Does it help me get into GSAPP?
Cornell:
Pros
Rated #1 program in the US for architecture
Was my number 1 school, and still is
Accredited, meaning I will be more propelled in the future along my career path
Cornell arch connects you with internships
Cons
might have to join a frat
impossibly sweaty, and will have to work my architectural balls off in order to keep up
Awful financial aid package, my parents are not able to spend 70K a year (side note, I plan to meet up with cornell's deans of finaid and architecture to learn more, please send advice if you have before I visit :)
Seasonal depression because Ithaca is a very fun city and everyone has great things to say about it
Anyway, any thoughts, opinions, etc. are SINCERELY appreciated. Still in shock from these acceptances, and under pressure to balance each program. Thank you
Update: Unfortunately, I can't afford either. Fafsa thinks my family can pay $68,119 per year. Fortunately, Syracuse has a great program with which I have financial access to. Thank you all for your comments; I really thought I decided on Cornell, but see that its not realistic to be able to pay that amount of money. Thank you again