Biochem at CALS or CAS?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I want to study biochemistry at Cornell. Would current students recommend applying to the Agricultural/Life Sciences College or the College of Arts and Sciences? Is CALS significantly easier to get into? Which experience is better? How many classes can a CALS student take at the other schools?</p>

<p>By the way, Cornell is a "reach" for me... my stats are:</p>

<p>800 verbal, 720 math, 740 writing
790 bio, 630 math II (retaking in october - ran out of time the first testing)
3.77/4.3 GPA
5 ap bio, 5 ap calculus ab</p>

<p>junior schedule:
ap bio - 94%, 5 on test
ap calc ab - 86%, 5 on test
physics II - 92%
american lit - 90 %
us history - 92 %
spanish 3 - 88%
gym/lab assist - 98%</p>

<p>senior schedule:
ap environmental science
ap physics C mech +E/M
ap chemistry
ap calc bc
spanish 4
world literature</p>

<p>varsity athlete in XC, indoor, outdoor track since frosh year
captain of XC team junior year
world quest, model UN
volunteer at hospital
volunteer at puppy rescue
volunteer as bio lab assistant
2x ferguson scholar</p>

2

<p>CALS is easier to get into...it's a public school. I would say choose CALS if you're set on Biology with a concentration in Biochem. If not, choose CAS. There are different requirements for each college. For example, there's a language requirement for CAS.</p>

3

<p>Isn't it still a private school???</p>

4

<p>I don't know what you mean by "reach" :P but I think Cornell is a good match for you!</p>

5

<p>Write good essays and you should have a good chance in getting accepted.
Your stats are decent enough for Cornell. </p>

<p>And apply to CALS--it has a higher acceptance rate and it is more geared for bio folks.</p>

<p>Good luck and keep it up!</p>

6

<p>CALS is more flexible than CAS. CAS requires you to take 100/120 credits from CAS departments...CALS is 55/120 credits. CALS is also specifically designed for Bio-ish stuff. There used to be a limit on how many credits state school students could take from private ones, but it has been removed...so basically the entire school is open to you :)</p>

<p>Ah, the experience is what you make of it. If you work hard and get involved, it'll be enriching and satisfying.</p>