CoE vs CAS

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I cannot choose which college I should apply primarily. I know Cornell lets you choose two colleges but I have been hearing that Cornell does not really look at the secondary choice.</p>

<p>I'd like to major in Computer Science (for now) but I also have interests in many different areas such as Astronomy, Psychology and Business (just not as much). </p>

<p>Initially, I thought that CoE is the right choice for me but After doing some research on CC and reading reviews from students, I started to doubt that decision. Moreover, I hear CAS offers more "freedom" within the courses. </p>

<p>Also, I saw some discussions about how your grades and SAT scores can determine the college. I will put some info about me to help you and me.</p>

<p>-As for the SAT, my math score is higher than reading score.(is it true that Cornell does not look at writing?)
-My grade is somewhat balanced throughout.
-I do not have any engineering experiences. My ecs are mostly related to Computer leadership
-I am indecisive.
-I plan to major in CS and minor in business (for now)</p>

<p>What would be the right choice for me? any opinion?</p>

<p>ps. Also, What kind of additional information did you put on common app, Cornellians?</p>

<p>I cannot vouch for whoever told you that the secondary choice option is not “looked at” often. It is rarely implemented, yes, because usually a person is either qualified or not qualified enough for both primary and alternate choice colleges, but I would not say it is diregarded. As for the writing section, I am mostly certain it is weighed less (if at all) than your 1600 SAT scale. I am in a similar situation as I am a stronger math student than humanities, but I resolved to apply to CAS primary over engineering. If your passion is truly in computer science, then you already know the answer to your question. </p>

<p>BTW I recommend you clarify any details missing in your app in the additional info section</p>

<p>CS is actually one of the freer majors in CoE, at least based on what I heard (I’m in CAS).</p>

<p>There is a lot more freedom for CAS, but at the same time general ed requirements can be annoying (personally I’m not looking forward to the foreign language requirement).</p>

<p>You should look up the major requirements for CAS and CoE for CS and see how you feel.</p>

<p>The only difference between CS in Coe and CAS are the requirements. Honestly it depends on what you like, if you like art-ish stuff do CAS, if you like eng stuff do Eng. Most CS majors in I’ve seen CAS prefer the eng requirements but then again the eng CS school is harder to get into.</p>

<p>If you’re worried about the difference, you can just apply to CAS and transfer over to CoE.</p>

<p>(Although is CAS really that much easier to get into than CoE?)</p>

<p>^ I actually don’t know, COE generally has the highest grade requirements but I heard CAS’ admissions rate is lower.</p>

<p>A couple of comments, in no order.</p>

<p>You mention an interest in business. Any student, except Hotelies, I think, can pursue an undergrad business minor at the university, so you could do this as Eng or A&S.</p>

<p>Are you female? If so, apply Eng as the F admit rate is more than 2.5x the M admit rate. F admit rate to A&S is only 1.5% point higher than M admit rate to A&S, so really a wash.</p>

<p>If M, A&S admit rate is 5% points higher than M admit rate to Eng. None of these figures contemplate random variables (ED vs RD rate, athletes, legacies, nationality, etc), so if M, I would follow above posters’ advice to look at requirements of each to determine what you would like to study in your ‘free’ time. The wonderful thing about Cornell is all of the amazing courses anyone can study. The only trouble is finding the time to satisfy the pre-reqs for some of them. Would A&S or Eng allow you more time to pursue courses outside of your major?</p>

<p>Re: writing sub-score. While Cornell continues to say that they do not consider that score, I was surprised to see it appear on my son’s application portal. Another school that did not address the issue only lists Math & CR, so I was intrigued that Cornell has recorded all three scores on the application portal. Do with that info as you wish as I have no idea what significance they assign.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>