<p>I am considering the possibility of applying next year as a CS major to Cornell. I realize that CS is offered in both CAS and COE. I am more interested in the CAS option as I can also double major alongside Economics in CAS. However, if I end up not liking Econ or CS, how hard will it be for me to transfer to CoE as a CS or ECE major?</p>
<p>Also, one other questions was, which college would be easier to get into immediately out of high school. CAS or COE?</p>
<p>Both colleges are hard to get into. CAS actually has the lowest admit rate, according to most recent statistics. However, this is due to the fact that it is the most popular college and most people will apply for there. </p>
<p>You have to also consider that an applicant that might be accepted by CAS may not be accepted by COE and vice-versa. Each college looks for different students, as I believe they have different adcoms from each respective department review your application. You should probably decide what type of curriculum you are fit for, then make a final decision. If you are looking for a "broader" education, then go for CAS. At COE, your curriculum will probably be more structured and specific. </p>
<p>If you can't decide between the two, I suggest you apply for one of the colleges as your alternate college choice.</p>
<p>Ah, so I can apply to CAS as my first choice college and COE as my second choice. I think that's what I will likely end up doing.</p>
<p>However, what about possibility of transferring once I arrive at Cornell? CAS to COE - will that be very difficult?</p>
<p>Here's a link to the information page for internal transfers:
<a href="http://www.sws.cornell.edu/ITD/%5B/url%5D">http://www.sws.cornell.edu/ITD/</a></p>
<p>You should definitely look into the primary/alternate application option (see the admissions website for more information on how this works). My son, also interested in majoring in CS, decided to apply to CAS as his primary college and CoE as his secondary because like you his academic interests were more in line with CAS. He was accepted ED. Since the major is a joint major between the two schools, there is no difference based on the school you are in. </p>
<p>As a primary/alternate applicant, your application is reviewed by your primary school's admissions office first, they make a decision, and if you are accepted your application is never seen by the secondary college. If you are rejected by your primary college, the admissions office can choose to send your application to your secondary college for review there. This is the first year Cornell has done this.</p>
<p>cornell75, the primary/alternative application option seems very attractive. </p>
<p>If I understand correctly, one doesn't declare there major in CAS until they are done with freshman year correct? If so, will it be reasonable for me to apply to CAS as an Economics major and then become affililiated with both CAS Comp Sci and Econ my sophomore year?</p>
<p>You don't have to declare any major until the end of sophomore year in CAS I believe. Even if you list a possible major on your application, it is nonbinding. CAS expects that people will explore other interests through satisfying distribution requirements or just as a matter of course so you aren't locked in. Having said that, there are more major requirements for computer science than other majors in CAS (according the admissions rep we spoke with) so if you want to major in CAS you need to at least start working on the requirements early on. </p>
<p>And just to add to what I said earlier, the only difference between majoring in comp sci in engineering vs. arts and sciences is in some of the non comp sci classes you have to take and the eventual degree you get--BA in CAS and BS in CoE. Also, you have to satisfy a language requirement in CAS and in CoE you have to take chem and physics and an intro to engineering type class.</p>