For the most part, students at Cornell students ascribe to the notion: “Work hard, play hard.” Academics are quite rigorous especially when you consider that the most popular majors are related to science and engineering. There is also lots of competition between students at Cornell for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the academics are so rigorous. Some students who are accepted to Cornell feel they have something to prove versus students who attend some of the more exclusive Ivy League colleges. Nonetheless, there is an active social side to Cornell, partly due to its isolated location and large size, and partly due to its significant Greek life encompassing 25% of its students. For those seeking a fun nightlife, there are plenty of places to go, both on campus and in the fraternities and sororities. If you are not into Greek life and you crave the hustle and bustle of a big city, then Cornell may not be the right college for you. However, if you value attending some of the best classes taught by the best professors in the world, and if your goals in life are aspirational, then Cornell could be the perfect fit. Cornell is a true university in that it encompasses more than 14 individual colleges, each one prestigious. As an undergraduate, you have the benefit of taking classes at all of these schools. In fact, this is one of the biggest draws to universities as compared to liberal arts colleges. At universities, you give up some personal interactions with professors and small class size, but you gain the opportunity to decide from among a much wider variety of classes and resources.