People here really like to spout off incorrect nonsense. So, for clarity's sake, some facts: * Cornell is indeed an Ivy League. However, this is just an old sports conference, and is not something that should therefore matter.
* The "lowest ranked" Ivy is not Cornell, but Brown. And it is, wait for it, still ranked #14. Cornell is #12, and Columbia is tied for #9. So guess what? All of them are excellent schools with no serious quality distinction on the whole.
* As far as engineering goes, Cornell is much better. It is established fact. This is reflected by the significant different in PA scores and overall rank. Cornell is ranked #10 with a PA of 4.2, compared to the #28 Columbia, whose PA is a mere 3.6.
* As for the food comment, it is Cornell that is known for excellence here, not Columbia. It is consistantly in the top 5 nationwide. Columbia is not among the top 20 (which is how far the published rankings extend).
Of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing between the two schools. Each has many good things about them, and many bad things. But that requires you doing some of your own research.
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When the state is most corrupt, then the laws are most multiplied.
-- Tacitus