<p>I've brought this up before and just want to put it out there again and see who comes out and responds. I really Cornell and it is my Early Decision choice. There are a variety of reasons I'm doing this, but the biggest are the fact that I'm in love with the broad scope of programs available for someone like me that appeal directly to my interests and the financial aid commitments they've made. ILR seems to be the perfect fit for me and, so far, it's been my obvious pick. But after looking at some admissions stats (I know, I know that's not how you're supposed to pick schools but I'm not looking for a "backdoor", just being realistic), it appears that Human Ecology has a lower admit rate and a more lenient SAT range. Normally, I wouldn't even think about this. I would apply where I fit best and hope for the best. However, Human Ecology's PAM program seems like it would also be a perfect fit for me. Problem is, because PAM is a small part of a larger school (not a single major school like ILR) there isn't as much information available about it. I've been to the ILR info session and will be hitting up the ILR open house next month (I'm pretty excited and I don't just get worked up about college visits) and hopefully I can check out the HumEc info session when I'm down there. Until then, can anybody give me examples of some of their first hand experiences with PAM, particularly with a focus on how it would appeal to someone interested in a topic like, for example, ILR. If you are a PAM major, how would you describe your academic interests and the interests of your peers? What kinds of things are PAM people doing after graduation? I'm starting to think this might sound like essay topic baiting, but it isn't I swear! Thanks in advance. I really need to work on getting to the point with this whole posting online deal, don't I? I won't be offended by a simple "TLDR". LOL</p>
<p>^ try breaking things up into points. less chunky blocks of text = better.</p>
<p>anyway, i’ve only had one experience with a PAM class (and it was only PAM 2000, so take what i’m about to say with a grain of salt) but, i can’t help but feel that most PAM majors i’ve met are… to put it bluntly, not as intelligent as the average Cornellian. of course, i may have just met the exceptions (bc let’s face it, there are always exceptions), but come on! if you’re a sophomore/junior at Cornell, you should know what derivatives are (at the very basic level) and NOT have to ask the professor to give you an impromptu precalc/early calc 1 lesson. plus, there’s a reason why everyone takes PAM stats over any other stats. it’s the easiest. …and there’s a reason why it’s the easiest.</p>
<p>of course, PAM kids are probably more into policy that they are into econ fundamentals, and so i guess it can be argued that they shouldn’t be required (and, quite honestly, they aren’t) to have to go THAT in depth into topics. but… i can’t help but feel like, if they’re the people who are going to “influence policy” i’d want them to be as knowledgeable about the fundamentals as possible - or at least more so than they are right now.</p>
<p>(i’m fully aware that i’m judging a major based on just a couple people i’ve met/know in the major - like i said, take everything i said with a grain of salt)</p>
<p>Going to the Human Ec. info session and comparing the 2 programs may be the best way to go. My kid was in a similar situation- she was comparing ILR and Human Development in Human Ec. as she was somewhat interested in psychology (or so she thought).<br>
After going to both sessions, it was clear to her that ILR was a better fit. </p>
<p>Try to figure out what your academic interests are and then ask at the info sessions how the PAM program vs. ILR meets your needs. There are similarities in the programs, so you wouldn’t be the first one to ask the comparisons from the admission representatives. My kid is now working for a union and plans to go to law school- so I guess ILR was the right choice for her.</p>
<p>also FYI- if ED doesn’t work out, Cornell is pretty good at giving you a second shot through RD. I know some kids who were rejected ED, but later got accepted in the RD decision cycle.
Good luck.</p>
<p>i think PAM is more related to the health industry</p>
<p>heard PAM is really easy…
could just be rumors tho
haven’t met anyone majoring in PAM so can’t say for sure</p>
<p>I’ve always felt that PAM was kind of a poor man’s ILR, just my opinion</p>
<p>marny, i’m in the same situation. But I decided with Human Development. Why did she pick IRL?</p>
<p>Anybody else? This is interesting.</p>
<p>Riley- it’s been a while so I don’t know for sure what did it but-- I do remember meeting my kid after the Human Ec presentation. It was quite a long info session, so my guess is that they discuss all the different programs within Human Ec.<br>
Maybe all the info and talking about the different programs made it sound complicated and it didn’t seem as targetted as the ILR program. She made her decision right after the Human Ec info session and decided to apply ILR. (I think her words after the Human Ec. info session was to the effect-- “it just sounds so confusing”).Sometimes you just gotta go with that gut feeling, even if you can’t logically explain it.
She was also losing her interest in psychology- so the combo of study in economics, labor, history etc. was geared more to her academic interests. </p>
<p>But the best thing my kid did was to go to both the info session at ILR and Human Ec. I think that allowed her to get a good feel for the programs and make the right decision for herself.</p>
<p>hi</p>
<p>i was a PAM major last year, just switched majors… you can send me a message with questions</p>
<p>To ije28: I know your post was months ago, but D considering PAM program and would like more details regarding your decision to leave program. You can pm me if necessary. This is my first post, not sure how this is done. Thanks. If there is anyone else who has info on PAM and the jobs a graduate would be recruited for, please chime in.</p>