<p>I'm applying to Cornell in the fall (RD) and am trying to decide which college to apply to. I think AEM would fit me best - however, my extracurriculars are almost solely journalism / athletics. I have received national and regional awards in journalism and am editor-in-chief of multiple publications. No straight-up business extracurriculars there, though I could probably construe in an essay how I plan to use journalism skills in business. Could solid academic stats (36 ACT, 4.0 unweighted, all IB classes & 5s on APs) compensate for the lack of starting a business or working in one? Should I just not risk it and apply to CAS? Perhaps I could apply to CAS as my alternate choice?</p>
<p>if u really have those stats, i think that u would stand a very good chance with a good essay. however, i get the impression that they care less about what kind of ec u have done, rather more about the depth/quality of the ecs, whichever ecs those may be. if u have leadership positions, won major awards, etc, and write good compelling essays, u should be fine. Also, getting a summer job wouldn't be a bad idea.</p>
<p>haha yeah those are my real stats. I have a summer job as a camp counselor - trying to get an internship with my yearbook publishers as well. Hopefully my application won't be edged out by those who actually have done truly business-related extracurriculars, though I think significant leadership positions are just as important to the field. I could be wrong, so please correct me if i am.</p>
<p>Obviously your journalism accomplishments aren't going to hurt you, but a lack of business ecs will be a large disadvantage. From the adcoms I've spoken to over this year, it seems more and more they're keening in on people who have demonstrated interest in business. Plus the applicant pool seems to be getting better and better. If you want to be crafty, you might want to look into applying to the comm major (also in CALS), list a second major of aem, and even if you don't get into aem you would have a strong shot at comm and could transfer to aem (relatively easy since your within CALS already) or even pursue a double major.</p>
<p>anonymous, I didn't even realize that was a possibility. i'll have to look into that. thanks</p>
<p>"Are You a Good Candidate?</p>
<p>Admission to Cornell's Undergraduate Business Program in the Department of Applied Economics and Management is highly selective.</p>
<p>We consider 5 key factors when making admissions decisions: academic achievement, standardized test scores, academic interests, leadership accomplishments outside the classroom, and recommendations.</p>
<p>Because we want to make sure you are ready to handle the academic workload at Cornell University, academic achievement is our primary selection criterion. Have you taken the most rigorous courses at your high school and done well? </p>
<p>But that's not all. We want students who are leaders, team players, creative thinkers, and self-starters. We also want students who share our passion for business and applied economics. Do you dream of starting your own company? Have you set your sights on becoming a top executive at a Fortune 500 company? Are you eyeing a career in the public or nonprofit sectors?</p>
<p>Keep in mind, too, that many of our best candidates have academic interests in multiple academic disciplines."</p>
<p>Pretty sure your academics will get you in, assuming they are strong in Math and Science. A 36 on the ACT would show that you are very well rounded so I can't imagine you'd have a problem. Are you a NYS resident?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Lack of business related experience will definitely be a disadvantage for AEM applicants.</p></li>
<li><p>AEM admissions is also becoming more wary of current Cornell students who apply to the major. The CALS adcom has noticed that more and more students are applying to CALS in one major only to apply for AEM once they arrive on campus. They're working to eliminate these "back door" admissions. That said, if you want to double major in Comm/AEM that would be ok...and many Comm majors actually do this. </p></li>
<li><p>Make sure you app shows achievement in math/science and that your career goals fit in with the mission of CALS.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hmm.... I am a Florida resident.
Thanks guys for your help, I'll have to look into that comm major and see which would be best for me.</p>
<p>Hey man. Whats going on? I actually applied to AEM last fall and got in and now Im gonna go there this fall!!!</p>
<p>So first of all I dont think that many people have "Business Related Experience" I think what they are mostly looking for is leadership and dedication to the clubs that you enjoy doing. For example i never had an internship with one of those business and i never joined any business clubs. My main focus througout high school was the debate team and a Cultural society. So if you are really dedicated with journalism and you show that you should be fine. </p>
<p>If they actually evaluate the five qualities mentioned above "academic achievement, standardized test scores, academic interests, leadership accomplishments outside the classroom, and recommendations."
I think you should be fine. You have the standardized test scores so i would imagine u have academic acievement and interests and im sure you will get great reccomendations. And as for leadership and accomplishment in EC's, you say you got national recognition and although its not in the business feild it still shows dedication and hard work. </p>
<p>I think you will be fine. Dont let people discourage you and tell you not to apply. If it helps your stats have me beat by a mile. I only got a 32 on my ACT and i didnt get national recognition on anything. I got first place in a few local debate tournaaments and i got some medals in local science tournaments but thats about it. I think u will be fine if you apply to AEM u dont seem like you need a backdoor in.</p>