What's the academic environment like at Cornell?

Hi, I'm strongly considering applying to Cornell. Their strong academic reputation drew me in, but I'm curious to hear more about it from the inside. How intense is the workload? How's the intellectual atmosphere?

Cornell University is well-known for its rigorous academics and that reputation certainly plays out on campus. At Cornell, you will encounter an intellectually stimulating environment that challenges students to push their boundaries and capitalize on the vast range of opportunities.

The typical workload varies depending on the major, but across all disciplines, students often report spending a significant amount of time on coursework. For instance, if you are in Engineering, your day might involve several hours of lectures, labs, and discussion sections, followed by additional hours spent on problem sets or projects. Humanities and social science majors also have quite rigorous workload with extensive readings and substantial essays. But, no matter what major you're in, Cornell employs a proactive academic support system to ensure students can keep up with their coursework.

Many students appreciate the intellectual rigor and the opportunities to engage with top-notch professors and researchers. They willingly step up to the challenge, often stimulating each other intellectually outside the classroom, discussing everything from art, politics, economics, scientific theories, and global issues over a meal or a coffee.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the nature of Cornell's academic atmosphere can also be competitive, and it's not uncommon to experience stress, especially around midterms and finals. However, students generally also collaborate with each other rather than compete as there is a shared understanding that everyone is in the same rigorous academic boat.

Cornell also offers a multitude of academic resources available to students, including writing workshops, subject-specific tutoring, and study groups. Supportive professors and peers contribute to a culture of academic success. Cornell's various libraries are also excellent resources, not only for research and study spaces but for workshops and other academic support.

In summary, while Cornell's academic atmosphere is intense, it is also collaborative and diverse. This atmosphere helps students to appreciate the joy of learning and foster intellectual growth. So if you're the kind of person who enjoys intellectual challenges and thrives in a stimulating environment, you would likely appreciate the academic culture at Cornell.