Cornell University Top Questions

Be more spontanious

Don't limit yourself on your applications, don't limit based on money or intelligence. There's always someone willing to pay for you to go to college, and someone might accept you that you wouldn't expect.

I had a decent first year, the only thing that kind of ruined it for me was a bad roomate. He wasn't one of those roomates that you didn't talk to, but one of those who were just an immature A-hole. Living with him heavily strained my ability to study, socialize, etc. so I believe that my GPA was not as high as it could have been. Now I know that I could have done something about it and requested a roomate change, I would probably go back and tell myself to change roomates once a problem had arisen and attempts to resolve it fails. Besides that, I feel that I had a successful transition from being a high school senior to a College Freshman. In fact I have given advice to many of my friends who are still in high school, and the number one advice I tell them is to not let "senioritis" carry into college. In retrospect, I probably could have studied a bit more my Freshman year, because I always took grades for granted - I was one of those people who didnt really have to work for that 4.0 in highschool.

To be true to who you are and enjoy whatever classes you enroll in as a freshman. It makes life way better!

Go with your gut. I spent so muc htime agonizing over which school would be right for me, but ultimately, you'll probably enjoy wherever you go and if you don't, then transfer.

I want to tell myself that there are more important things in life than just academics. I want my old self to have hung out more with friends and make lasting memories. Also, when choosing colleges, I want my old self to not pick a college for its academic value but for its worth to me. I would advise myself to use the opportunity at the college of my choice to not only build my knowledge but also find where my heart lies. I want myself to discover something that I am passionate about, something that I could spend the rest of my life on. I want to let me know that I do not have to be so quick in choosing a major, but that I can go to college and choose it as I experience different things. I want to remind myself that I am living my life and so I should be in charge of where I attend and what I do.

If given the opportunity to give my high school self even a hint of the insight that I have now, I would tell myself that the most important aspect of college life is becoming the person you one day want to be. I would explain that while grades are important, I should focus more on how to become a person that I can be proud of in the future, far beyond the numbers. I would also tell myself to pick a college not based on academic stature, but on how much I fell that I can achieve my goals at a university. I would also tell myself to go to everything that I think might be interesting including: club meetings, lectures and even exercise classes. There are so many resources on campus that people do not take advantage of that can really change the entire college experience of a person.

Keep working hard, enjoy the freedom but stay focused.

Dont take on too much and try and have fun wherever you go. The experiences you have will override the 12 hour days in the library in the long run.

You shouldn't worry too much about the college you select. The majority of college have more than 2,000 students, which provides a large enough number to give you a diverse range of people and personalities. You will be able to find friends and have a good time, regardless of where you go. With regard to chosing a school, pick one based on what you believe will furher your career goals. Having a good time and partying happens on every campus, but the more selective schools will help you land a job offer. The college you go to may very well determine what career path you enter, and specialized schools (such as engineering and business) will start you on your path. I would also suggest trying to go to a school where a friend from home is attending as well. If you are social enough to make friends and feel comfortable from the start, good for you; most kids find the first weeks awkward and it helps to have someone you know around.