CALS vs CAS AEM vs Econ

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi everybody!</p>

<p>I'm planning on applying to Cornell for RD and was torn between CALS and CAS, more specifically the AEM vs Econ major. Can anybody give me advice? Is CAS much harder to get into than CALS or vice versa? I have a decent SAT score and SAT scores but my GPA is rather low (improving trend though!)</p>

<p>I really like Cornell and I visited it several times since my brother is an engineering school alumnus.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>CALS AEM is more selective, but it’s a much heavier business concentration. That’s where a lot of the business classes are focused open CAS econ is more like a social science I think.</p>

3

<p>I don’t believe AEM is more selective than CAS. Both are highly selective. Last year there were more 16 applications for ever seat in the CAS freshmen class!</p>

4

<p>AEM is 11-14 percent acceptance. CAS might be slightly higher around 18</p>

5

<p>CAS acceptance rate was 15% last year.</p>

6

<p><a href=“http://www.dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000003.pdf[/url]”>http://www.dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000003.pdf&lt;/a&gt; this is from another thread in the Cornell forum. It’s the acceptance rate for all colleges at Cornell.</p>

7

<p>I think rather than worry about 12 vs 18% acceptance rate, you should be thinking about whether you want a liberal arts experience. CAS and AEM are both hard to get into and will both take you where you need to go business-wise. But, keep in mind, your major will likely only make up 40% of the credits you take at Cornell. What kind of educational experience do you want outside of your major?</p>

8

<p>As an econ major, it’s really important to keep in mind that CAS Econ and AEM are two very programs. Economics is a social science while AEM is business. I suggest you compare curriculum/courses for both programs and see which you are more attracted to. I further suggest taking a sample of courses required for both programs and compare course descriptions. Also keep in mind CAS vs. CALS in regards to requirements. Econ is somewhat more flexible (I think) in that the major itself only requires 8 classes. Both usually lead towards similar careers, though economics tends to be more flexible. AEM is also definitely considered easier than econ. It’s common for econ majors to take AEM courses and vice versa, it’s a general consensus that economics is more rigorous (because it is more of a “science”). That said, pick what interests you the most, not what you think will be easier to apply for.</p>

9

<p>An interesting thread you may want to check out.
Good luck.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/1061470-cornell-concern-any-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/1061470-cornell-concern-any-advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>CAS is where I really want to go.Will choosing CALS as an Alternate,in any measure diminish my chances in my primary choice?Like,will it be considered that this kid has this 2nd option too,so let’s just go with the 2nd option.
What I’m basically asking is,whether it’s better to put only the Primary choice and not put an Alternate one at all?I was going to do an Alternate choice only as a backup plan.
Thoughts please?</p>