Biology - CAS or CALS

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I decided to do my Cornell app a bit early(5 days before is early in my book), and I just realized that Biology is a major under both the College or Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences....I initially thought that I should go for CALS because Biology is a <em>gasp</em> life science, and I'm also interested in taking classes in AEM (Applied Economics and Management) but I've also heard that CALS is harder to get into and they also have an additional essay.</p>

<p>So which school should I apply under?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>CAS has an admit rate of about ten percentage points less. I've always heard that getting into CALS is easier.</p>

3

<p>I've heard the biology in CAS is more . . theory based, and you get a wider range of electives in CAS.
Biology in CALS is more of a hands on approach.</p>

<p>(What I've heard, correct me if I'm wrong people)</p>

4

<p>It depends whether or not you live in NY state and whether or not you would want a a more liberal arts'ish curriculum or not</p>

5

<p>They are the same thing. CALS and CAS bio major take the same requirements. The only difference is the electives they can choose to take. CAS has more liberal art requirement, while CALS has its own CLAS requirement. About which one is easier to get in. I think as a NY state resident, it's probably harder to get into CALS Bio than CAS. There are just so many highly qualified NY people apply to CALS because they can save a lot. Two of my friends from NYC high school had almost identical grades, SATs and ECs, one applied to CALS Bio and one applied to CAS bio ED. The CALS bio major got rejected, while the CAS bio major got accepted. Overall, CAS has lower acceptance rate, CALS has some pretty selective majors (AEM, BEE, Bio...etc). If the acceptance rate for AEM is 20%, I would think that Bio is just slightly higher.</p>

6

<p>I don't live in New York (I live in California) and I'm not so sure if I want liberal arts (I'm really focused on going into Medicine). I have two questions (btw, thanks for the quick response)</p>

<ol>
<li>Which is easier to get into for out-of-state applicants?</li>
<li>Which college has less core requirements? (I want some academic freedom)</li>
</ol>

<p>Once again, thanks for your help.</p>

7

<p>Academic freedom would definitely be CAS.</p>

8

<ol>
<li><p>Out-of-state, probably CAS, since Ag has to fill 2/3 of its class for NY residents. However, they might take you for that 1/3. Not really sure.</p></li>
<li><p>Definitely Ag. You have less requirements. However, you can only take 60 credits from the private colleges.</p></li>
</ol>

9

<p>I would say if you're looking for more academic freedom, CAS is your best bet.</p>