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Cornell College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Cornell College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Cornell College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Cornell College reviews, or contribute your own Cornell College review if you're a current student there.

  • 12 out of 12 people found this review useful.

    Angela from Westmont, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Block plan enables me to really focus, both to learn and to love a topic. The only downside is that some details do get skipped occasionally due to time constraints. But the retention of material learned plus the attention you can give to the details of your own work more than makes up for this. Additionally this school has succeeded in teaching the procrastination queen (me) how to utilize time management, which will help in real life more than most gen ed classes ever will.
    Am enjoying being here

    Everyone is so friendly and fun! The small number of students contributes to the great feeling of community on campus. I love both my peers and professors here; everyone watches out for everybody else and helps you to succeed. I like the intensity of life at Cornell, and all the fantastic friends there to share it with me.
    Bang for the buck

    They are great about giving scholarship, but it is still a lot of money. Realize you are partly paying for a name and the chance to experience life to its fullest. My philosophy is that since I'll owe less than a small house when I'm done, it's all good.
    Tips for prospective students

    Don't be afraid of showing your eccentricity to this college on your application! The average student here is unique in ten different ways, and easily excitable about things they are passionate about (everything!) so let that shine through during your interview.
    Great for these types of students

    Cornell fits best for the mildly weird (in a good way!) who have a good work ethic and can handle focusing on one task for hours at a time. Once at Cornell, don't expect too sleep much, there is just too much fun (+homework) to be had! Drink lots of Mt. Dew, we have proven it to keep you from getting sick in the petri dish that is Cornell in the winter. For those of you who can spontaneously have fun rolling down hills at 2 am during a study break from watching movies and writing that 9 page paper that is due the next day....I'll see you this fall!

  • 6 out of 6 people found this review useful.

    Lucee from Pleasanton, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I love the atmosphere of learning here. There is always something academic going on, from the many guest lecturers and visiting professors to class field trips. I can focus fully on one subject at a time and not have to worry about having two papers due on the same day for different classes!
    Am enjoying being here

    The Greater Mt. Vernon area is very vibrant. Cedar Rapids is literally a 10 to 15 minute drive and it has a ton of activities, from museums and shopping to art galleries and fun places to volunteer. If you're looking for a big city atmosphere, Iowa City is just half an hour away, it's a true College town being home to U of Iowa! There are tons of parties and stuff to go to down there, as well as a giant mall!
    Bang for the buck

    It's true that Cornell is a bit on the expensive side, but they are definitely not stingy with scholarships and grants. Talk to your admissions counselors if you're worried about the money aspect, they will do almost anything to get you up to the hilltop!
    Tips for prospective students

    Make really good friends with your admissions counselor! He or she can be your best friend when applying and visiting Cornell, or any school. If your school offers a facebook group for prospective students, MAKE sure to join and participate, that way you'll already have friends and maybe even a roommate before you arrive in the fall!
    Great for these types of students

    This school is definitely great for people who procrastinate (LIKE ME!), it seriously knocks that habit right out of you. It's really good for people who come from a close knit-community because you definitely feel it on the campus. This college is great for people who want to do a ton of things! There are literally groups for EVERYTHING, from Capoiera to Chess and Games and the Knitting Club! N3rds will have super epic fun here too!

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Ann from Houston, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The learning environment here is rigorous but the small class sizes allow the instructor to pay more attention to you as an individaul. I've found that the professors here are always more than willing to help you out if your finding a course difficult. However, learning on the block plan can be challenging for procrastinators and, due to the time constraint, some professors aren't able to go over all of the material needed, but learning here is definitely a unique experience. Besides learning in the classroom, there's always guest speakers, educational films, and other educational events that go on every week!
    Am enjoying being here

    Since Cornell is a small college, you get to know people fairly quick and eventually there won't be a face that's unrecognizable. Plus, there are so many different activities to choose, from our outstanding Colleges Against Cancer group to our awesome capoeira club. There's just so many different groups and clubs to pick from that you'll have trouble narrowing your list down.
    Bang for the buck

    Although the price can seem overwhelming, the education and experience you'll get to have here are worth it! Cornell is usually quite generous with it's financial aid packages and the financial aid office is always more than willing to help students discover other options to pay for school and with providing information on outside scholarships.
    Tips for prospective students

    During the admissions process, your admissions counselor is your most important asset, USE THEM WELL! They're always happy to answer any questions you have and can help relive the stress of applying to colleges. Also, do your research on the college and, if possible, visit the college(s) you're thinking of going to so you can get a feel for the campus.
    Great for these types of students

    Cornell is great for the type of student that likes to be involved inside and outside the classroom. It's also great for those who like to be part of a tight-knit community and who want to have a unique college experience.

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Elizabeth

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Not only are the professors really great about helping you with material, but there are many amazing opportunities to attend lectures from visiting professors, researchers, graduates, and other impressive visitors. There are a lot of clubs, academic, volunteering or just for fun, that help you learn about so many different things.
    Am enjoying being here

    I love the small town community feel, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the malls and big cities only a half hour away. There are also great experiences to be had right here on campus: professional comedians, hypnotists, magicians, bands, outdoor movies on big screens, dances, and more make campus really fun!
    Bang for the buck

    Cornell is financially amazing. They do a lot of fund raising that keeps tuition much lower than similar schools, and then they offer amazing financial aid and scholarships on top of that. Don't get scared off by the starting price tag, many students never come close to paying full tuition, room and board.
    Tips for prospective students

    Apply as early as you can. You'll find out soonest if you applying Early Decision (binding) or Action. Definitely visit campus if you can. Everyone is really friendly and that way you can get a rough idea about whether you think One-Course-At-A-Time is right for you and if you like the dorms and other buildings. After all, you're trying to decide where to live, study, and have fun for the next four years, so you might as well go take a look!
    Great for these types of students

    Any kind of student! Campus is amazingly diverse in many ways. There are students for a whole bunch of backgrounds, from all over the country and the world. With so many different types of people, social groups and clubs to get involved with, it's hard to feel left out!

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Andrea from Houston, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    A lot of my first year classes were review to be honest but the pace is definitely enabling me to absorb any new information thrown at me. I love getting close to my professors especially when I am so interested in the subject in and out of the classroom.
    Am enjoying being here

    At first it was hard adjusting since I'd come from a huge populated city to a small town. I have learned to make the most of it because it's 4 years that we'll never get back. I love my friends and I love the quietness of it all.
    Bang for the buck

    It's definitely costing me to come here. I'm not thrilled having to pay and take out a loan but I don't think I'll mind later on when I'm glad I didn't give up.
    Tips for prospective students

    Ask what students do for fun but don't expect it to be crazy and exciting. Tour the town and say hello to the community members. Spend the night and attend a class of your choice. It goes a long way to actually spend hours on campus when it could make or break the desire to apply or even attend.
    Great for these types of students

    Students who want to try a different pace from high school where classes were in semesters and for those who want to build relations with professors and students on an intimate level.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Haley from Mount Vernon, IA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cornell's ocaat program is great for students who need to be able to really focus. the campus is beautiful and the entire staff is willing to help with anything.
    Tips for prospective students

    do not overload yourself with hard classes in the beginning. also, it really helps if you have taken foreign language classes and can just test out of them.
    What to do for fun

    there are so many clubs that it is hard not to join at least one. on long weekend s this place is party central and all you have to do is ask the right people. there are always speakers coming around and guest artists doing a performance on the oc. you just have to know where to look.
    Campus Safety

    sometimes a little slow on the uptake, but really nice people

  • 0 out of 5 people found this review useful.

    Laura from Tucson, AZ

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Port Orange, FL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    It is a small campus with about 2000 students which makes it more personal than larger universities. The blocks are 3 1/2 weeks which is a great deal of material in a short amount of time. Overall, I like the school and what they have to offer.
    Tips for prospective students

    Make sure you are prepared for the aggressive type of One Class At A Time system that they teach here. You will be expected to learn a lot of material in a small time period. This can be difficult if you are involved in outside activities.
    Academic Rigor

    I have found the classes to be challenging and interesting. I even took a trip overseas through one of my classes and learned about Japanese culture.
    Dorm Life

    Dorm life can be rough if you are not used to sharing. The rooms are smaller than you think. Sometimes the other students are not considerate of the property and make it almost disgusting to use the facilities.
    Food and Dining

    They are getting a new vendor this year(2012-2013) so I don't know how to rate the food. The current vendor isn't bad but when you eat each and every meal at the dining hall it can be boring after a while.
    What to do for fun

    Mount Vernon is small but it is not far from Cedar Rapids. The closest town that has the movies and restaurants is Marion.
    Bang for the buck

    Even though it might be expensive I feel that the friendships and relationships that I make during my college years will help me when I graduate. I would not have had that opportunity outside of Cornell College. The college does everything it can to assist every student who applies there.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    They have a really nice bonfire and fireworks display during football homecoming. It is better than the July 4th display in my city.
    Great for these types of students

    This school is good for anyone who wants to concentrate on one class and not a multitude of classes.
    Clubs and Activities

    They have many clubs and activities to participate in.

  • Brenda from Oakland, Ca.

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Cornell College's OCAAT plan is great for focusing on a subject and you learn a ton. Financial aid is pretty good, and first-years are guaranteed a work-study job. Lastly, there are a ton of clubs and opportunities to meet people.
    Tips for prospective students

    Don't be afraid you won't fit in. There are a lot of different people in this small campus.
    Academic Rigor

    A lot of the first few classes are review, but don't take that for granted. They are not overwhelmingly hard, but they definitely should not be taken lightly.
    Dorm Life

    Some of the dorms are better than others, I know some of them are getting repaired so it'll be good. Overall dorms aren't too bad, if somethings lack, they make it up with other things.
    Food and Dining

    The food can be better, they usually give the same stuff and it gets redundant and overwhelming. Don't expect to have a lot of diversity in food and the choices are extremely limited.
    What to do for fun

    There are a lot of clubs here and you can usually entertain yourself if you really jump in and commit to activities.
    Bang for the buck

    Although it is a bit pricey, the school does a really good job in giving scholarships and giving students financial support.

  • Nicole from Lemont, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cornell college is a liberal arts college that has their students interests in mind. it is an academically challeniging school as well one that puts great emphasis on student involvement. cornell college offers many activities for their students to be active in.
    Tips for prospective students

    when looking at cornell, make sure that you look at classes offered. many students come here with high hopes and then realize they don't have many classes offered for their major. also, make sure that you are prepared for this block plan. students think they can handle the one course at a time but some students do not succeed on it.
    Academic Rigor

    cornell college classes range academically. one can find easier classes but eventually he/she will have to take those harder 300 level classes in order to graduate.
    Dorm Life

    cornell college has many different types of students living on campus. it is difficult to find your group of friends especially if you are coming here knowing no one. but there are many types of activities that goes on on campus that one can find friends.
    Food and Dining

    the dinning hall here has okay food. if one were to search for food of their liking or get creative with the food offered it turns out to be alright. the grill that they have though that is not connected to the dinning hall some good food though!
    What to do for fun

    cornell college has a group on campus called get out of town and they offer trips to the local mall, skiing trips, or hockey games. we are also located 30 minutes outside of iowa city and 20 minutes from cedar rapids so there are many things to do off of campus.
    Bang for the buck

    cornell college is pretty expensive but i think it is worth it. cornell is ranked highly for its academics and i think the ranking holds true to its standings.
    Clubs and Activities

    there are clubs for almost everything here on campus. also if there isn't a club on campus that you want to join it is very easy to start your own.
    Greek Life

    there are many different types of greek fraternities and sororities here at cornell. if one was looking to join greek life they would have no problem finding one to fit in with.
    Campus Safety

    i am only a first year here at cornell but i think that this campus is extremely safe. campus security is always on campus and available in just a phone call.

  • Caitlin from Iowa City, IA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    cornell college is a great place to go. i love the once course at a time. it's very effiecient and there is always something to do on campus.
    Tips for prospective students

    if you like to study one subject at a time for exams and such, cornell would be great for you.
    Academic Rigor

    the classes here are a little bit on the harder scale but they really help you a lot. i've only been at cornell for 6 months now and i feel like i learned more than i did during my entire senior year in high school.
    Dorm Life

    the dorm life is fun but the facilities are for the most part great. i love staying on this campus. it's a beautiful place and people are so nice here.
    Food and Dining

    they don't have the best quality but they do have some good choices. this might be the last year of the company for our food service that we have now....so who knows who will be there next.
    What to do for fun

    there's so many things to keep entertained on the weekends and block breaks. there are many clubs on campus and they will host events a lot. there are also lots of parties over the weekends and especially block breaks. mount vernon is a small town but two cities are not far away. there's cedar rapids, there's a lot you can do here or there's iowa city where you can do a lot too.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    at the basketball games where we compete against our rivals, after the first shot we make, the crowd throws toilet paper onto the court.

  • Preston from Aurora, CO

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    it is a great school that offers one course at a time. this type of learning is great for me as it allows me to focus on one subject. i am able to invest all my time and energy into the coursework and i believe i get more out of the classes this way.
    Tips for prospective students

    come and take a look at the college. meet students and instructors and get a feel for the campus. i felt at home when i came and visited and believe it was the right choice for me.
    Academic Rigor

    the coursework is much different from traditional colleges as we are on a block schedule. all the coursework is completed in three and a half weeks so it is intense. we totally immerse ourselves in the coursework and in the end have an in-depth learning experience.
    Dorm Life

    the dorms are nice and roomy. everyone gets along well on our floor and we look out for one another. many students study together in the lounges throughout the week.
    Food and Dining

    sudexo is what we call the cafeteria. i cannot complain. i get 3 square meals a day and am never hungry. the food is good.
    What to do for fun

    there is an event every year call humans vs. zombies. most of the college participates in the game on campus. it is a great way to get to know people on campus. we have comedians and preformers come to the college on a regular basis. i also go and see plays put on by the drama department.
    Bang for the buck

    i also am a member of the men's basketball team here at the college. i have developed very meaningful relationships and love the comradery i feel with my teammates. it has been a great experience.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    every year at the men's basketball game versus coe college, when our basketball team scores their first basket, everyone in the audience throws toilet paper rolls on to the court. a technical is called for delay of game and they have to stop the game to clean the court. this is a very fun tradition.

    Great for these types of students

    students who may have troubling many courses at one time. students who prefer small classrooms with lower student to staff ratios. who prefer a college atmosphere who puts academics first.
    Clubs and Activities

    i participate in men's basketball
    Greek Life

    there are greek organizations on campus and i participate in an unofficial group that is associated with my basketball program.

    Campus Safety

    i feel completely safe on campus. i have never had anything stolen and people look out for one another here. i know campus security is available to me whenever i have a concern.

  • Yi from Mount Vernon, IA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I love block plan! The block plan help me focus on one course. The professors here are all very kind. I can always find the professor when I need him/her.
    Am enjoying being here

    The life here is peaceful.
    Bang for the buck

    almost every student here get scholarships!!!
    Tips for prospective students

    don't hesitate. just apply!
    Great for these types of students

    students who work hard. here is also great for nerds and geeks

  • Alex from Newhall, IA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    The teachers are truly focused on TEACHING nothing else there different schedule at Cornell allows them more one-on-one teaching time.
    Will enjoy being here

    The campus is great! I was told when visiting you can make friends fast because of the wide variety of students that attend! plus the location of Cornell is near to bigger cities so your never far away from some place that you could go and have fun if you needed a quick break.
    Bang for the buck

    Cornell offers you a great experience and you get what you pay for the extra cost seems to be well made up for with all the opportunities Cornell gives you.
    Tips for prospective students

    Go and visit Cornell and ask questions. See if there different and fun way of doing things is right for you.
    Great for these types of students

    Strong in academics, willing to give new things a try, good for shy people as it is a smaller college. Really just about everyone in all the social groups could find somewhere to fit in at Cornell.

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