<p>I am 99.9% sure i am only applying to one school, because that is what i would like to pursue. But before i made this decision i strongly considered applying for an alternate school (ex. 1st choice Engineering, 2nd choice Architecture). Mostly out of curiosity i was wondering if there are benefits or disadvantages to listing an alternate choice. Without any true knowledge i assumed some of these possible pros and cons:</p>
<p>Pros-
- Shows your diverse educational aspirations
- A better chance of admission, simply due to different colleges reviewing your application if your first choice rejects you.</p>
<p>Cons-
- Multiple choices shows your lack of commitment to the program
- If seen at all less qualified for one school, may instantly be rejected by trying to boost your chances of getting into Cornell without any clear academic purpose
-Seeming somewhat needy?</p>
<p>Are any of these thoughts true? or would some at least agree or disagree with my assumptions? I think this post could be helpful to anybody (like me) that still has yet to find out the ins-and-outs of Cornell. And if anything else i just thought it would be interesting.</p>
<p>My son had the same thoughts - how do you pour your heart out about your commitment to a certain field and then do the same for another? He researched it and decided not to have an alternate college choice. I think it’s more for people who want to major in something that is offered in more than one of the colleges - like biology (CAS and CALS). My son wanted Operations Research in engineering - there’s nothing like it anywhere else at the University. He made a good case and left it at that. I think the chances of getting your second choice are very, very small. Ask an admissions officer for specifics.</p>
<p>Architecture is incredibly selective and I would guess you have no shot if you name it as the alternate.</p>
<p>DS2 was considering AEM as alternate, and the Cornell adcom told the GC not to even bother. There’s so much demand that they would never admit someone for whom it was a second choice.</p>
<p>I would love to see data about how many students are admitted to their alternate choices. It’s hard to know if it’s a viable strategy.</p>
<p>it is not a strategy…it is really for those few majors that have two very viable choices between colleges/schools…</p>
<p>To add on to what MemphisMom said, the primary/alternate selection is really for those applicants who have a wider range of interests where more than one school would suit their interests. Cornell knows that with all the majors it offers, it’s difficult for a 17 year-old to make a decision. So, three years ago, they added this option (it had been used in the mid '80s as well).</p>
<p>Depending on the major, it can’t hurt you, but you have to be very specific as to why the alternate school also fits your interests. Architecture is a very specific program, and the architecture school would probably want to make sure you’re dedicated to the program before admitting you, and it’s not your second choice.</p>
<p>As for the overall number of admits who get in on their alternate choice, it’s about 2%.</p>
<p>Thank you, Cornellpezra. Very helpful.</p>
<p>thanks for the info! answered all of the questions i had! 
All i want to do is mechanical engineering, but a few years ago i was also looking at a math and also architecture before i made my final decision</p>