Cornell c/o 2028 hopefuls

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Things that were good:
  • There is a lot of gift aid (need-based) so the COA isn't necessarily the amount you will be taking in student loans (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
  • Immense amount of opportunities when it comes to wildlife and international veterinary experiences
  • Aquavet
  • Housing is plentiful, hardest part is finding the right match
  • Lots of great study spaces
  • In the Youtube video tour of the school, the indoor color scheme looks meh but in-person its bright and cheerful
  • Don't really have to spend much on textbooks if you don't want to (many copies in tutor rooms and library)
  • All the prospective students participated in a mock PBL and it was so much fun. definitely very engaging learning method.
  • don't have to deal with microscopes and microscope slides since everything is on the computers
  • in gross anatomy lab you can look at animal at any time and you can also look at the animal that belongs to other group
  • the anatomy resource room is awesome, a bunch of optional self-guided modules and the models look very useful/cool
  • learning pathways are flexible
  • if interested in zoo medicine, school pathway is well thought out and advisors are knowledgeable
  • lots of different student groups (there's even a dance group)
  • no dress code for class
  • syndavers
  • on-campus therapist for the vet school community
  • building requires card access
  • vet school is like its own area in the university so you don't have to fight for parking
  • Dean Leaders and VIP programs open to incoming students
  • it feels like they really have it all in terms of learning opportunities, shelter med, LA, exotics, wildlife, equine, SA, research, diagnostic labs
Things I didn't like:
  • Not really great options in terms of gyms/fitness, there's a wellness room in the school but at least personally I prefer a full-fledged gym. have to pay for university gym access or go elsewhere off-campus
  • the hospital/school job you get as a first-year is what you stick with for the rest of your time at school (there might be some exceptions?)
  • didn't really get to see the teaching hospital
  • the tour felt very brief. would have been nice to see more of the teaching hospital, dairy farm, etc. they didn't mention the poisonous plant garden
  • the vibes felt kind of off at times when students and faculty brought up money. they were very unconcerned about it and were basically like, choose your dream school, your dream specialty, don't worry about which campus job makes more money, just don't worry about money in general and it will work out. I think it's not necessarily a reflection of the school itself and probably more like the people that felt comfortable talking about it were from more privileged backgrounds idk
Thank you so much for that info....did anything hit you as a surprise during the info session? Do you have options besides Cornell and did you make a decision to attend Cornell cvm after visiting?

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Did they mention at the financial aid session when we would hear back about institutional scholarships and loans?
 
Thank you so much for that info....did anything hit you as a surprise during the info session? Do you have options besides Cornell and did you make a decision to attend Cornell cvm after visiting?
Didn't really get any surprises during the info session. Got a really great reminder/tip during the lunch sessions with the faculty. Basically, if you're interested in something-- make sure you are on the faculty's radar by introducing yourself. be proactive

I withdrew all my other applications after getting accepted. I didn't want to deal with being tempted to go to a different school when Cornell is my IS option.

I definitely don't regret my decision to commit. Every school has its pros and cons and I think for the most part, the community is what you make of it. The resources available are fantastic.
 
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Did they mention at the financial aid session when we would hear back about institutional scholarships and loans?
If you complete by Feb 28th it should be ready around March 15th.

don't forget to do the CSS profile. will need parental financial data
 
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Things that were good:
  • There is a lot of gift aid (need-based) so the COA isn't necessarily the amount you will be taking in student loans (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
  • Immense amount of opportunities when it comes to wildlife and international veterinary experiences
  • Aquavet
  • Housing is plentiful, hardest part is finding the right match
  • Lots of great study spaces
  • In the Youtube video tour of the school, the indoor color scheme looks meh but in-person its bright and cheerful
  • Don't really have to spend much on textbooks if you don't want to (many copies in tutor rooms and library)
  • All the prospective students participated in a mock PBL and it was so much fun. definitely very engaging learning method.
  • don't have to deal with microscopes and microscope slides since everything is on the computers
  • in gross anatomy lab you can look at animal at any time and you can also look at the animal that belongs to other group
  • the anatomy resource room is awesome, a bunch of optional self-guided modules and the models look very useful/cool
  • learning pathways are flexible
  • if interested in zoo medicine, school pathway is well thought out and advisors are knowledgeable
  • lots of different student groups (there's even a dance group)
  • no dress code for class
  • syndavers
  • on-campus therapist for the vet school community
  • building requires card access
  • vet school is like its own area in the university so you don't have to fight for parking
  • Dean Leaders and VIP programs open to incoming students
  • it feels like they really have it all in terms of learning opportunities, shelter med, LA, exotics, wildlife, equine, SA, research, diagnostic labs
  • access/connections to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in CT and Ruffian Equine Specialists on Long Island
Things I didn't like:
  • Not really great options in terms of gyms/fitness, there's a wellness room in the school but at least personally I prefer a full-fledged gym. have to pay for university gym access or go elsewhere off-campus
  • the hospital/school job you get as a first-year is what you stick with for the rest of your time at school (there might be some exceptions?)
  • didn't really get to see the teaching hospital
  • the tour felt very brief. would have been nice to see more of the teaching hospital, dairy farm, etc. they didn't mention the poisonous plant garden
  • the vibes felt kind of off at times when students and faculty brought up money. they were very unconcerned about it and were basically like, choose your dream school, your dream specialty, don't worry about which campus job makes more money, just don't worry about money in general and it will work out. I think it's not necessarily a reflection of the school itself and probably more like the people that felt comfortable talking about it were from more privileged backgrounds idk
  • colder and snowier than my area of New York.
  • DARK at night. kind of scary to drive tbh but maybe im just being a city girl
I didn’t go to the session but what do you mean by campus job??
 
I didn’t go to the session but what do you mean by campus job??
you can work at the hospital after Block I

Ambulatory, Anesthesia, Behavior, Dentistry, Dermatology, LA, Exotics, SA Nursing Care, Imaging, Pharmacy, Reproduction, SA Emergency, SA Internal Med, SA Surgery, SA Community Practice, and Wildlife

There's a whole match process and then you stay in that job for the rest of your time at school. Some spots are more competitive than others to obtain. Some require on-call. Some require shifts during summer/breaks. Can't exceed 20 hours per week.

80% of students get their first choice and anyone that wants a job gets a job.
 
I didn’t go to the session but what do you mean by campus job??
The nice thing they mentioned about the jobs too is how accommodating they are to fit into your schedule, and how they vary in commitment which is nice considering how busy school will be! The student who gave my tour said she works as a wildlife tech and works about three, four hour shifts a month, which is nice to get more experience but not be stretching yourself too thin.
 
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Things that were good:
  • There is a lot of gift aid (need-based) so the COA isn't necessarily the amount you will be taking in student loans (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
  • Immense amount of opportunities when it comes to wildlife and international veterinary experiences
  • Aquavet
  • Housing is plentiful, hardest part is finding the right match
  • Lots of great study spaces
  • In the Youtube video tour of the school, the indoor color scheme looks meh but in-person its bright and cheerful
  • Don't really have to spend much on textbooks if you don't want to (many copies in tutor rooms and library)
  • All the prospective students participated in a mock PBL and it was so much fun. definitely very engaging learning method.
  • don't have to deal with microscopes and microscope slides since everything is on the computers
  • in gross anatomy lab you can look at animal at any time and you can also look at the animal that belongs to other group
  • the anatomy resource room is awesome, a bunch of optional self-guided modules and the models look very useful/cool
  • learning pathways are flexible
  • if interested in zoo medicine, school pathway is well thought out and advisors are knowledgeable
  • lots of different student groups (there's even a dance group)
  • no dress code for class
  • syndavers
  • on-campus therapist for the vet school community
  • building requires card access
  • vet school is like its own area in the university so you don't have to fight for parking
  • Dean Leaders and VIP programs open to incoming students
  • it feels like they really have it all in terms of learning opportunities, shelter med, LA, exotics, wildlife, equine, SA, research, diagnostic labs
  • access/connections to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in CT and Ruffian Equine Specialists on Long Island
Things I didn't like:
  • Not really great options in terms of gyms/fitness, there's a wellness room in the school but at least personally I prefer a full-fledged gym. have to pay for university gym access or go elsewhere off-campus
  • the hospital/school job you get as a first-year is what you stick with for the rest of your time at school (there might be some exceptions?)
  • didn't really get to see the teaching hospital
  • the tour felt very brief. would have been nice to see more of the teaching hospital, dairy farm, etc. they didn't mention the poisonous plant garden
  • the vibes felt kind of off at times when students and faculty brought up money. they were very unconcerned about it and were basically like, choose your dream school, your dream specialty, don't worry about which campus job makes more money, just don't worry about money in general and it will work out. I think it's not necessarily a reflection of the school itself and probably more like the people that felt comfortable talking about it were from more privileged backgrounds idk
  • colder and snowier than my area of New York.
  • DARK at night. kind of scary to drive tbh but maybe im just being a city girl
I agree with pretty much all of this!
One thing I'll add that they mentioned which was a pro to me was how compared to other schools/curriculum styles, Cornell students spend less time in class/lectures the way their curriculum is set up. It sounds like instead of always being there from 8-5pm like some schools, you are more open to have your afternoons "free" (not free necessarily but not scheduled for class) due to the PBL curriculum to be used to be teaching yourself the material/researching things you don't understand if that makes sense. I know it depends on your learning style if this is a pro or not but this stood out to me compared to other schools. The mock tutor group was so much fun and again stood out to me compared to other schools, small group learning is a big pro for me!

Another pro is the amount of electives they have! I can't remember the exact number but it was an extensive list and it sounds like a lot of students don't always take electives in their track species, like someone interested in Small Animals might take a wildlife elective just for a different experience in school. It does not sound like there is an elective class size cap either.
 
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Does Cornell require any special items to be purchased for the start of school....ie, special Laptops, overalls, stethoscopes, etc.
 
for anyone who went to an info session already.. did you bring a guest? or did other people?
 
Does Cornell require any special items to be purchased for the start of school....ie, special Laptops, overalls, stethoscopes, etc.
Special laptops were not mentioned so I do not think those are required. Things like coveralls and stethoscopes I think are pretty standardly required for most schools to my knowledge. They said they would give us a list of things we needed to bring closer to when we would actually be arriving.
 
for anyone who went to an info session already.. did you bring a guest? or did other people?
I brought a guest! I would say a good handful of other people did as well (maybe 25% brought one if I had to guess... not sure if that was due to availability/capacity though). We were altogether in the morning and for lunch, and then separated for the beginning of the afternoon when students did their own tutor group sessions while guests went on a tour, and students did a student only tour later.
 
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Does anyone know if there are extra fees or interest charges if paying for tuition in monthly installments by their system cashnet?
 
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for anyone who went to info session, what did you wear? is it more casual?
 
for anyone who went to info session, what did you wear? is it more casual?
Not as formal as like what you would wear for an interview but I wore like business casual and felt like it was perfect. Some people wore jeans and sweatshirts, but I'd say most worse some sort of business causal.
 
Not as formal as like what you would wear for an interview but I wore like business casual and felt like it was perfect. Some people wore jeans and sweatshirts, but I'd say most worse some sort of business causal.
How much time did you spend outdoors? Are we covering up with a coat and boots?
 
How much time did you spend outdoors? Are we covering up with a coat and boots?
None! The whole day was inside so besides walking in from your car its all in the building. They have a place to hang your coats if you bring them or you can keep them with you for the day.
 
None! The whole day was inside so besides walking in from your car its all in the building. They have a place to hang your coats if you bring them or you can keep them with you for the day.
Thank you for the speedy reply. I am immune compromised....is lunch with a large group or on your own...dinner?
 
Thank you for the speedy reply. I am immune compromised....is lunch with a large group or on your own...dinner?
Lunch depends... You have the option of having lunch with whatever track you want to learn more about so there was a small animal room, large animal room, etc. My group was maybe about 25 people total for lunch. Dinner is just on your own after the tour is ended you're free to head out!
 
Lunch depends... You have the option of having lunch with whatever track you want to learn more about so there was a small animal room, large animal room, etc. My group was maybe about 25 people total for lunch. Dinner is just on your own after the tour is ended you're free to head out!
Oh, I thought dinner was with the group at the end of the day......what time did you finish up and head out?
 
The actual programming part was more of a "listen and learn" type of thing. But after check in at 8:15 there was time to socialize with other newly accepted students before the info sessions started and during the afternoon we had smaller groups where I got to chat to and meet other accepted students. We met existing students throughout the day like in Q&A sessions and the students led our tours as well.
 
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The actual programming part was more of a "listen and learn" type of thing. But after check in at 8:15 there was time to socialize with other newly accepted students before the info sessions started and during the afternoon we had smaller groups where I got to chat to and meet other accepted students. We met existing students throughout the day like in Q&A sessions and the students led our tours as well.
So, overall, worth the time to attend? (3 day trip for me)
 
So, overall, worth the time to attend? (3 day trip for me)
YES! Definitely worth it to attend in my opinion. The morning lectures were basically information you can find online - student services info, financial aid, etc. which was not super interesting to me but lunch with faculty and students was amazing to ask questions related to your track interest. If nothing else, the mock tutor group to showcase their unique curriculum in the afternoon 100% made it worth it for me. Cornell has a bit of a different curriculum style than other schools so being able to get a feel for it first hand was incredibly beneficial for me to see if that felt like it fit with my learning style.
 
YES! Definitely worth it to attend in my opinion. The morning lectures were basically information you can find online - student services info, financial aid, etc. which was not super interesting to me but lunch with faculty and students was amazing to ask questions related to your track interest. If nothing else, the mock tutor group to showcase their unique curriculum in the afternoon 100% made it worth it for me. Cornell has a bit of a different curriculum style than other schools so being able to get a feel for it first hand was incredibly beneficial for me to see if that felt like it fit with my learning style.
Thank you....you were very helpful. :) I was wondering about PBL also.
 
Thank you....you were very helpful. :) I was wondering about PBL also.
Yes they mention it a bit in the morning with an information session and then like I said we have a mock session for like 1.5 hours in the afternoon I think. I walked away really enjoying it, definitely will be helpful making my final decision.
 
I've been scrolling through the Cornell class of 2028 facebook group and lots of students are posting they have openings in their houses. Going into it I was wanting to live in an apartment but is this uncommon does anyone know? Do most people live in houses? Or is it just houses that people need new roomates so thats what is being posted on the group.
 
I've been scrolling through the Cornell class of 2028 facebook group and lots of students are posting they have openings in their houses. Going into it I was wanting to live in an apartment but is this uncommon does anyone know? Do most people live in houses? Or is it just houses that people need new roomates so thats what is being posted on the group.
Is there on-campus housing for the 1st year Vet school students?
 
I've been scrolling through the Cornell class of 2028 facebook group and lots of students are posting they have openings in their houses. Going into it I was wanting to live in an apartment but is this uncommon does anyone know? Do most people live in houses? Or is it just houses that people need new roomates so thats what is being posted on the group.

from past forums/research i think it’s a mix! i’m personally going to opt for an apartment
 
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Have you started looking yet/know places where vet students live?

from what i’ve seen they live in dtn ithaca/lansing/near the school. some say avoid college town bc that’s where a lot of undergrads live… i’ve personally been looking in dtn ithaca/lansing
 
from what i’ve seen they live in dtn ithaca/lansing/near the school. some say avoid college town bc that’s where a lot of undergrads live… i’ve personally been looking in dtn ithaca/lansing
So which comes first...the apartment or the roommate (s)?
 
I've been scrolling through the Cornell class of 2028 facebook group and lots of students are posting they have openings in their houses. Going into it I was wanting to live in an apartment but is this uncommon does anyone know? Do most people live in houses? Or is it just houses that people need new roomates so thats what is being posted on the group.
Any chance you can drop the facebook group?
 
Does anyone know of nice apartments within walking distance of a CrossFit gym? When is everyone going to start looking for roommates and apartments?
 
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Declining my OOS seat! Hopefully someone on the waitlist can receive some good news!
 
I was wondering for any current DVM students at Cornell, how is the exam schedule, is it on paper or an iPad and what is the formatting of the questions.
 
Is anyone still looking for housing? I need more roommates for a 5 bed 1.5 bath house that's 3 mins away from the vet school. Rent would be about $500/mo! Lmk if you're interested :)
 
Any current or past student at Cornell vet school have any suggestions on where a good apartment might be that is pet friendly.
 
Declined my OOS seat- hopefully someone on waitlist gets good news :)
 
Hi there. I have a great pet-friendly place that I will be leaving at the end of July (internship ends 6/30). Super close (~5 min) drive to vet school/hosp. DM me if you want to learn more.
 
Hi there. I have a great pet-friendly place that I will be leaving at the end of July (internship ends 6/30). Super close (~5 min) drive to vet school/hosp. DM me if you want to learn more.
Hey looking for more info
 
you can work at the hospital after Block I

Ambulatory, Anesthesia, Behavior, Dentistry, Dermatology, LA, Exotics, SA Nursing Care, Imaging, Pharmacy, Reproduction, SA Emergency, SA Internal Med, SA Surgery, SA Community Practice, and Wildlife

There's a whole match process and then you stay in that job for the rest of your time at school. Some spots are more competitive than others to obtain. Some require on-call. Some require shifts during summer/breaks. Can't exceed 20 hours per week.

80% of students get their first choice and anyone that wants a job gets a job.
May I ask how much these jobs pay per hour?
 
I'm working on my budget. Does anyone know how much is actually spent on books each year? I've heard no books are needed however I've also heard book costs can run $2000. per year.....???
 
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