<p>Who goes to Cornell CALS? I am a junior considering applying early decision there next year. I love nature and the outdoors, and I think Cornell would be a great place for me to live for that reason, especially because of those gorges, which are beautiful. I might major in the Science of Natural and Environmental Systems, but I will make sure to take the premed courses as well, because I want to go to medical school later. What do you think of the school, the area and the student body? Also, if you or somebody you know are in this major, do you/ they like it and what could you tell me about it? Also, even if you are a Cornell student, that isn't part of CALS or this major, please tell me about your experiences at Cornell, and whether you think it would be a great choice or not. Thanks!</p>
<p>yes a friend of mine is a natural resources major and i always hear about her going off and doing some actual field work (mostly survey) </p>
<p>other acquaintances are always doing stuff outdoors (especially those who live in eco house) </p>
<p>not sure how many of them are pre-med though…</p>
<p>Field work is always cool. And another quick question, do you think it may hurt my chances at getting in if I already have 2 Bs as final grades in my AP history classes? My GPA still works put to be just above a 3.9, and I have taken more APs then many other students, since I have taken all that have been offered, plus I double on on the sciences.</p>
<p>I was a Natural Resources major, which I think is different than what you’re talking about. I don’t know if it’s the wisest path for pre-med, though.</p>
<p>Either way, it entailed a lot of field work in the woods and streams and a lot of studies in law, policy, philosophy, economics, and the hard sciences. My focus was on urban development and policy, so I had several classes in the Architecture, Art, and Planning school. Others pursue more hands-on population management tracks, but I took the Resource Policy and Management track. </p>
<p>Though you’d never know it by reputation, if you look at the distribution of grades Nat Res students tend to have lower grades than many of the renown “hard” majors. The classes can be surprisingly difficult, include diverse disciplines, and be a lot of work, so keep that in mind for pre-med GPA concerns.</p>
<p>Given your name on here, I should also point out that it is by no means an “environmentalist” (aka tree hugger) program. It teaches you how to identify hundreds of trees as well as how to sustainably cut them down. You’ll be electrocuting fish in streams to stun them and learning the complexities of environmental law, philosophy, and policy with a very clear focus on best-use, not hands-off.</p>
<p>Even though my name says otherwise, I’m more of just an outdoorsy person than an actual tree hugger. For example, I love mountain biking and fishing, and I just love being out in nature. I have done ecological research before, and i love field work, as well as lab work in the science. I’m more interested in the science part of it than the environmental policy, which is why I am thinking of the Science of Natural and Environmental Systems rather than Natural Resources. I was also thinking of maybe Biology major with a concentration in Ecology and Evolution (or whatever they call it).</p>
<p>Then it sounds like a great fit to me. I wasn’t trying to dissuade you, just letting you know.</p>
<p>you dont do much of those in your future if you go medicine.</p>
<p>unless you plan on tropical medicine or something like that…</p>
<p>Well, I guess its more of my parents that want me to be a doctor. I really want to be a science teacher, and one of the areas I enjoy is ecology. I guess as an alternative to the environmental stuff, I would like chemistry. That was one of my favorite science as well, but I guess I just liked the field opportunities of environmental biology. I’m guessing majoring in chemistry and doing pre med would be a little more of a good mix.</p>
<p>Err. Chemistry is only in Arts and Sciences and I am in-state, so CALS would be much more reasonable. I mean Cornell has so many majors, maybe I can go into CALS undecided major and study a semester or something then declare. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>here’s what i recommend…sit down and go through the list of all CALS majors available…</p>
<p>see what courses are required and what electives you can take…</p>
<p>you can always do something more pre-med like nutrition and then take electives in courses that pique your interest (i.e. field surveying)</p>
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<p>You can, however, major in biochemistry in CALS.</p>
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<p>You can, however, major in biochemistry in CALS.</p>
<p>@ResurgamBell</p>
<p>Why would anyone have to settle and do a more “pre-med” major? The Pre-med requirements are NOT that bad, and are not much extra. Better major in something you actually enjoy than get a degree in a major you hate on the HOPE that you are somehow better prepared for med school?</p>
<p>@TreeHugger</p>
<p>For CALS, you are required to declare a major in your application.</p>
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<p>You can, however, major in biochemistry in CALS.</p>
<p>lol @ cayuga </p>
<p>chendrix: you are correct…i was not suggesting she do this…just giving the OP all options…and if she had followed my first point on sitting down and looking at all available majors she might have run into what cayugared05 suggested!</p>
<p>Resurgam Bell - I’m a dude (sry for the flamboyant username though)</p>
<p>chendrix - My friend got into CALS Early this year and he told me he’s undeclared right now. Maybe he just has to declare prior to the school year.</p>
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<p>I think you can be undeclared, but you need to indicate an interest – e.g. environmental sciences, biological sciences, applied social sciences, etc.</p>
<p>But I wasn’t an Aggie.</p>
<p>Just wondering, I know that this year, Cornell’s acceptance rate went way down especially in the land grant schools like CALS (probably due to financial crisis). Did the SAT median scores change a bit? I have only taken the SAT once and I got 620 on Reading with 790 on math. I plan to take it again and most likely get a tutor to try and get that reading near 700, but will scores like these no longer cut it for Cornell?</p>
<p>I don’t have any hard facts or data to back this up, but I think you might want to get your Reading score up. Your math score is fine though.</p>
<p>And I’m going to be a freshman this fall in CALS; I applied for Environmental Engineering.</p>
<p>You can apply under “Environmental Undeclared” but I’m not sure if you have to say what area interests you.</p>