Is Astronomy a competitive major at Cornell college of arts and sciences?
I am undecided whether to major in Computer Science or Astronomy. However, I would want to double major in both. So, on common app preferred major section, which one should I put - CS or Astronomy?
Btw, I am genuinely more interested in astronomy from a long time but I have more ECs related to CS. Won’t the adcoms doubt that I am applying for Astronomy just to get admitted? Won’t they think that if I am interested in CS, then why not CS major?
I feel CS is really very competitive and getting admitted to CS at Cornell would be difficult, so if I put Astronomy as my major, is it possible to change to CS once I get admitted to Cornell?
If you want to change your major to CS once you’re admitted it doesn’t sound like you’re that committed to astronomy. Adcoms are aware that some students will try to get in by applying to what they think is a less competitive major. It can be very difficult to change to an impacted major, so apply to colleges using the major you actually want to study.
Cornell does not admit by major but by college. You can study both CS and Astronomy in CAS. You declare your major in the middle of your sophomore year.
If you want CS in engineering, I don’t believe you can fully double major.
Here’s the link to double majoring: http://www.cs.cornell.edu/Info/Department/Ugrad/Astro.html
Astronomy is a VERY small department (by student count) at Cornell. If you have a genuine interest in the subject (backed up by a history of activity in the field), you should reach out to the department and see if you can speak to or email a Professor. Ask some relevant and insightful questions to determine if it is the right major for you. You very well may develop an advocate that can help you in admissions. It is possible that you would be considered “unique” as an applicant, as well.
Cornell Fuertes observatory is cool, and the Cornell Astronomical Society is always looking for members.
On the other hand, the CS major (between A&S and Engineering) has a huge number of students.
There are a few interesting classes being offered this coming spring that will bring your two interests together:
ASTRO 3334Data Analysis and Research Techniques in Astronomy
ASTRO 3340Symbolic and Numerical Computing
I can’t see why you couldn’t write a compelling supplemental essay to demonstrate your interest in both 