I’ve had a question for a while and haven’t found it anywhere else on this site.
I’m planning on applying to Cornell for Computer Science this fall. I was originally planning on applying for the major in the engineering school, but found out I would need to submit a science SAT subject test. I would not succeed on a subject test in any of the 3 sciences available, so I now think I will apply to the major in the LAS school. If I decide during my freshman year (if I go there) that I would rather take the major in the engineering school, would I be able to transfer schools? Would they let me do that, or would they say no, because I didn’t meet the requirements in high school?
For reference, I’m a senior (girl) in the top 10% of my class, will have taken 9 APs at the end of this year, have a 1530 SAT, took the ACT this month (waiting for my score), and got a 720 on the Math II subject test (retaking in November, along with French and maybe literature).
Thanks!
Looking on the Cornell website will get you farther than looking on CC.
Yes, you can transfer. There is a lot of information available online that you can peruse, but the short answer is that you can apply to transfer as soon as you have completed some pre-reqs, typically 1-3 semesters (usually 2). If you are accepted to LAS talk to your advisor before you register for classes.
If you plan on CS, I assume you are a good math student. If so did you take Physics ? That would most closely correlate skill wise among the sciences.
That said if you excel at liberal arts, including foreign language, social studies, literature, apply to CALS with intent to stay there. COE is not just a matter of getting in, it’s a matter of graduating too. You must take Chem and Physics in COE, and if you are not strong, you can FAIL these courses in COE and not graduate. People are kicked out of Cornell, admission is not the only hurdle. Unless you are very strong at math (Calc BC not just the SAT) I would be a bit concerned about CS and very concerned about Engineering.
Another option is Information Science in CALS. Need to take Biology for that, but not as Physics and Chem. I dont think you can escape science but Engineering would require more and harder versions of the the courses. Why do you prefer engineering ?
very good point, @blevine: Cornell CoE is something of an exception to the general view that the hardest part of an Ivy is getting in! That is most likely why there are specific required courses that students have to take before they can transfer in.
Actually I made a typo. CAS (Arts and Science) would be good for CS if you don’t mind the foreign lang and otheor liberal arts requirements. CALS is good for Information Science, a major with some overlap in courses (with CS) but many differences as well, read about the differences. Outside the major CALS has different requirements from COE and CAS as well. Overall COE would be easier to transfer in than to graduate.
The way transfer within Cornell works is you really apply to the department of your major, not really COE. So if you take some specific CS courses and get C or better, you are in, but unless you are suited for Cornell ENG, means little. You just make a tough major even harder (or more exciting if you prefer Physics over French). I know multiple students who did or nearly flunked out of COE. Some courses such as Physics and Chem are special courses like Chem for Engineers etc. My son got an A in stats in the stats department but D in COE stats. Very different curricula, profs and fellow students impacting the curve.
Also note you can put a 1st and 2nd choice on your app, but carefully consider what is your first choice with the above info. It is far better to pick which one is what you really want and put it down as your first choice.
MANY people transfer OUT of ENG, very few transfer in, but it is possible.
This is true at any college but I think ENG is even harder at Cornell than other colleges.
As an example, my son had the Physics Dept Chairman as his Physics prof.
The lecture was basically just giving very complicated problems to solve in a timed fashion.
No teaching, more like doing homework in class, but more like a test since you have limited time.
I would almost say anyone who doesn’t get a 5 on the toughest AP Physics course and get credit to waive out, should seriously consider if Engineering school is for them, both due to your capability but also for the fact you now have to take a much tougher Physics course instead of the AP course/test.
Hi:
For computer science major, anybody know what is the difference between Engineering and art &Science college? Both have the computer science major, which one is more difficult to be accepted? I have had SAT II for both Math II and Physics at 800. Not sure which college should I apply?
@firsttime123 I have tried to answer your question on another thread where you posted the same question! All the best
Thanks here again
If you are a woman, it would be easier for you to get into CoE than CAS. I believe CS courses are the same between CoE and CAS (check on Cornell’s website), but requirements are different between those schools. Unless you take CoE’s required courses freshman year, it is more than likely it would take you longer than 4 years to graduate.
@oldfort , Thanks, you mean take longer to graduate from CoE?
If you start out in CoE and take all of their required courses then you could graduate in 4 years, but if you were to start out in other colleges then transfer into CoE then you may need an additional semester or year to graduate. My son-in-law transferred from CAL to CoE and he had to stay an additional semester.
@firsttime123 Wow, with those SAT 2 scores, you are definitely a good candidate for either school, but I agree with above comment, most engineering colleges struggle to balance the M/F ratio (though Cornell just announced more F than M students for the first time). That said, you can put down 1st and 2nd choices at Cornell.
I would put my 1st choice where i wanted to spend the 4 years.
If you prefer Foreign Language and other humanities to complement your programming/math coures, CAS.
If you seek to avoid those and want even more math and science, COE should be 1st choice.
But go with what you think you will like, not based on what’s easier to get in.
The CS curriculum is the same no matter what school you are in. You literally take CS classes with engineers, CAS students and even Hotelies. The only difference is in the classes that surround your major. Have you been doing science stuff your whole life then maybe apply to engineering? Have you been a leader at lots of clubs or like writing in addition to CS then maybe apply to Arts?