<p>I want to pursue computer science in Cornell which school should I apply to? Where would I have a better chance and should be my primary? AS or should I apply to engineering?</p>
<p>I’d suggest checking out a couple dimensions to this decision.</p>
<p>First, what are the differences in the CS programs themselves in the two schools? Do you prefer one over the other?</p>
<p>Second, check into the differences in the general requirements of the two schools. If you major in CS in the engineering school you will have a lot of science, math, and intro engineering requirements. In CAS you will have requirements like language requirements. Very-very different paths outside the CS program itself.</p>
<p>Finally, personally I’m not a fan of the strategy of applying to the college within a University with the slightly better odds as opposed to the college within the university which is the better fit for the student.</p>
<p>I know it sounds a little desperate applying to both but frankly I was asking because I was not sure</p>
<p>the website states there is no difference </p>
<p>Cornell Students apply to a major after completing core requirements of their College. A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. The two degree programs are similar in that they have the same Computer Science Major Requirements.</p>
<p>I am thinking of making engineering my primary because I think engineering offers a BS in computer science while AS offers a BA?</p>
<p>and I am really good in maths so I don’t think I will face any difficulty in that.</p>
<p>
That’s even better … so there is no difference in the requirements for the CS major. However there are HUGE differences in the overall requirements for the schools. </p>
<p>When I was at Cornell a long time ago (assuming no AP credit). Engineering … 4 semesters of Math, 1 semester of Chemistry, 3 semesters of Physics, a bunch of intro engineering courses to help select a major, and then all the courses in the major … as well as pretty much one elective a semester. In the Arts School … a much much lower requirement on math and science courses … and much much higher requirement for a variety of liberal arts courses including languages to fulfill the schools distribution requirements. I was considering being a math major but wimped out because of the overall requirements of the arts school … (and ended up as a Operations Research major (basically applied math) major in the engineering school). PS - the adult version of me would pick the arts school path … I know would look at the forced breadth as a good thing!</p>
<p>Yes, BS is Engineering and BA is A&S.
However, Cornell states that the type of degree you have does not influence employment rates and such. There’s just a difference in the annoying department requirements you have to fulfill.</p>
<p>As for which school you’ll have a better chance in, they’re both very hard to get into. If you’re a girl, apply to Engineering, but if not, just think of it this way. If you’re cut out for Cornell, you’ll get in regardless of which department you apply to as your primary.</p>
<p>I’m currently a junior majoring in CS in A&S, and while I had thoughts of transferring to Engineering, I decided not to for a few reasons. One reason was that if I decided to change majors, I would have a whole bunch of other majors I could choose from. In Engineering, the only “backup” major at your disposal is Operational Research. Keep in mind that the CS major is one of the hardest majors at Cornell, and I can assure you that I know quite a lot of people who switched to OR majors after they realized they couldn’t handle the CS curriculum.</p>
<p>If you’re 100% sure you want to major in CS and have absolutely no interest in any other fields, go for Engineering. If you’re even slightly worried that you might have a change of heart halfway through college, go with A&S. You decide.</p>
<p>My heart is set out on computer science if I decide I cannot handle it I will most probably switch to computer engineering. Surprise Surprise! 
While I am interested in psychology hence AI aspect but I can take </p>
<p>Free College Electives (Arts and Sciences)
and be happy. Hopefully you are right and if I am good enough I will get in both</p>
<p>Also will AP help me more in either school?
Considering I take A level Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology all 5</p>
<p>The kind of APs you took shouldn’t really affect anything.</p>
<p>Also, a little warning. There is very little coding (which is the fun part) to the CS major. There’s a greater emphasis on understanding the concepts of why things work certain ways and a lot, I mean, a lot of mathematical proofs that will make your life miserable. You shouldn’t choose CS just because you are good at coding.</p>
<p>Anyway, judging from your past posts.
It’s pretty clear you’re asking, “What’s the easiest way to get into Cornell and become a CS major?”
There isn’t an easy way. Stop trying to exploit the acceptance rates of different departments because honestly, they’re all pretty much the same for Engineering and A&S.</p>
<p>I would do Engineering since CS would be more engineering focused and you would probably get more detailed education in the engineering college for CS</p>
<p>The CS courses for Engineering students and AS students are the same. The difference is that Engineering majors take more math, physics and chemistry while AS students take lesser science courses. If you like math and science, go for engineering. If not, go for Arts and Sciences. Also choose Arts and Sciences if you are interested in non-CS courses like Psychology, Philosophy and foreign language courses.</p>
<p>Then I shall go for engineering for computer science and keep the alternate program as AS. Thank you everyone for your opinion.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Source? What do you mean by “coding”? I strongly disagree with this statement, as a senior in CS myself. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Again, source? I’m not sure what you mean by “backup major”, but Operations Research is not for everyone. </p>
<p>Also, how can you say Computer Science is one of the hardest majors at Cornell if you’ve only pursued one major- source? From a personal viewpoint, there’s nothing remotely “difficult” about CS in the undergraduate curriculum. If you go to class, and go to office hours when need be, you’ll be more than fine. Sure, it might need some extra time, but it’s not the most intellectually challenging major. </p>
<p>Having taken seven upper level CS classes last semester with a ~40 credit load, with the little time I had to spend towards academics, I felt more challenged by math/orie classes.</p>
<p>I thought in general CS was considered an easier major than something like ChemE or EE.</p>
<p>I think it just seems super hard because there’s a perceived high barrier to entry.</p>
<p>Here is my guide for choosing CS in Arts vs Engineering that I wrote a while back. Enjoy.</p>
<p>You take the same sequence of CS classes for Arts vs Engineering.</p>
<p>However…
For arts, you have to satisfy this checklist to graduate:
<a href=“https://www.cs.cornell.edu/undergrad.../artschecklist[/url]”>https://www.cs.cornell.edu/undergrad.../artschecklist</a></p>
<p>For engineering, you have this checklist:
<a href=“https://www.cs.cornell.edu/undergrad...eringchecklist[/url]”>https://www.cs.cornell.edu/undergrad...eringchecklist</a></p>
<p>The real difference is this:</p>
<p>For Engineering, you HAVE to take the Engineering math sequence consisting of Math 1910 (Calculus for Engineers), Math 1920 (Multivariable Calculus for Engineers), and Math 2940 (Linear Algebra for Engineers). You can also take Math 2930 (Differential Equations for Engineers) if you want to go into Robotics, Graphics, or Scientific Computing. AP Credit can get you out of the Math 1910, but that’s it.</p>
<p>For Arts, you can take the regular math sequence consisting of Math 1110 (Calc I), Math 1120 (Calc II), and Math 2210 (Linear Algebra). You can take the Engineering math sequence instead, but why on earth would you do that? Here, AP Credit can get you out of the first two math classes, leaving to take only Math 2210.</p>
<p>Also, Arts requires you to take a language in a addition to a humanities distribution requirement (called “Liberal Studies”).</p>
<p>In Engineering, you don’t have to take a language, but you still have a Liberal Studies requirements. Engineers have the option of using a language to satisfy this.</p>
<p>In Arts, you have to take two science classes of any kind.
In Engineering, you have to take Chem 2090 (Chem for Engineers), Phys 1112 (Mechanics), Phys 2213 (E&M), and then you have a choice for the 4th science class. I am choosing to take Phys 2214 (Oscillations & Waves).</p>
<p>Engineering requires you to take an Intro to Engineering class and a bunch of Engineering distribution classes.</p>
<p>Take Arts if you want the freedom to take a bunch of humanities classes.
Engineering will drag you through a bunch more science and tougher math courses.</p>
<p>You choose your fate.
Good luck! Please feel free to ask any questions.</p>
<p>thank you so much everyone! Peppino your guide was especially useful</p>