Acceptance Rate as Bio major in Cornell CALS?

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I was strongly considering applying to Cornell CALS (ED actually) because I am a NY state resident and because I want go on the pre-med/bio track. However, as I did some research, I saw that to apply to CALS as a bio major is highly competitive. So I'm asking if I should still apply to CALS as a bio major or to CAS? This may seem like I'm choosing schools over acceptance rates but I'm trying not to. It's just that Cornell is a dream school of mine and any chance to attend is great.
From what I heard CAS is competitive to get into but would applying to CALS as a bio major be even more competitive even if I am a NY state resident? Thanks in advance</p>

<p>I’d like to bump this; I have the same question.</p>

<p>Additionally, how is this like for non-NY state residents?</p>

<p>I don’t know any specific information, but I can tell you that it will be competitive for either college. Historically, CAS has a lower acceptance rate than CALS overall (I don’t know about biology specifically), but it’s not about the acceptance rate. It’s cliche to say this, but it’s all about your fit for the respective college. I’m a bio major in CALS (pre-vet), but looking back, I think I’d rather have been in CAS. Much more of the courses in CAS interest me and I’m studying a language, which isn’t required in CALS, but is in CAS (when I was in high school, I thought CALS was the perfect fit for me, but I’ve found new interests in my two years at Cornell). If you’re more of a science-y person, you might be better off in CALS since that’s mostly what the college offers, but if you are also into arts/humanities, I’d recommend CAS.</p>

<p>I personally don’t have any worries about which fits me more; I’m just as open to a more science-y schedule as I am to a liberal arts/sciences one.</p>

<p>My other concern is the SAT II’s. I have only done the Math I and II SAT II’s. I am unable to take a science SAT II for the early decision. Will this hurt me more in CAS or in CALS?</p>

<p>Judging from what you stated, I am concerned with how the admissions officers for Biology majors in CALS handle the SAT II scores and test choices than from the CAS admissions officers.</p>

<p>I know for a fact that CALS has some sort of leniency on not having a science SAT II, but I am not sure about CAS. Plus, I feel that contact CAS about this will do nothing but yield generic information. Does anybody have any firsthand knowledge on the CAS officers’ stance on this?</p>

<p>…This is a bit off-topic, but I realized that CALS and CAS acceptees tend to have 750+ Math and Critical Reading SAT scores. Is it true that one will be at a disadvantage if one were asian and had scores a little less than 750?</p>

<p>bump. i agree with FunBun’s questions and i had one of my own as well.</p>

<p>does CALS automatically look down upon applicants who haven’t taken the SAT IIs? i applied to CALS because it is the only cornell college that doesnt REQUIRE them (though it does “recommend” them). i mean my SAT I score and my ECs are good, so should my lack of SAT 2s really bring me down that much?</p>