Yo, I'm a junior looking at Cornell University. I know it's an Ivy and has a great rep, but I can't find a straight answer on how big the student body is exactly. Does anyone know, and could it be a pro or con?
Hello! Cornell University, being one of the largest Ivy League schools, has a pretty substantial student body. As of the latest data, Cornell has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 15,000 students. This doesn't include graduate students—if you consider them as well, the total enrollment is just over 23,000.
The size of the student body could be a pro or con depending on your personal preferences. A larger student body often means more diversity of thought, a wider array of academic and extracurricular opportunities, and generally more resources. On the other hand, it might also mean larger class sizes, especially in lower-level courses, and perhaps a less personalized experience than you might get at a smaller school.
That said, Cornell is known for fostering a strong sense of community despite its size, and many people find that the abundance of opportunities makes the larger environment exciting and rewarding. The best way for you to tell if the size is a pro or con is to thoroughly explore the offerings and opportunities at Cornell, consider your own preferences, and if possible, talk to a current student or alum.
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