I will also be going to Cornell next year. I will be studying Physics.
I haven't really started looking for apartments yet, but my impression so far is that it is generally cheaper and better in terms of social life and what not if you find somebody else to share an apartment with. If any of you is interested in potentially sharing an apartment with me, feel free to send me a private message. I am planning to go visit Ithaca for a few days some time in May, so by the end of May I should have some definite housing options.
