Cornell HE vs CAS

Guys, as the deadline is approaching for Fall’18, I am deciding if I should apply to HE or CAS at Cornell. I am interested in Bio but still not sure which Bio I will major in, thus I will apply undecided.

I am an American living abroad, I have a GPA of 3.8 (mostly lower grades during my HS Freshman) with IB and AP classes in the last 2 years and got a straight A in the fall’17. My ACT is 34.

I know that Cornell is probably a stretch and thus I wanna play my card right.

Based on the old data, seems HE has higher acceptance rate vs CAS and male has advantage at applying to HE.

My counselor told me that other than bio classes and some community services (helping the trash collectors), I have not done any research/work related to HE which will give me an “unproper” fit to HE.

In addition to the above advise, I also need input on “Why Cornell” essay.

Human Ecology is one of the NY state contract colleges. This means that their primary purpose is to serve residents of NY state. So the acceptance rate can be a bit deceiving. If you are out of state, then the acceptance rate is similar to the other colleges. I would suggest that you apply to the college where you have the best fit.

@sgopal2 I’ve heard that before, but I’ve asked a Cornell Admissions officer and he said ILR doesn’t favor NY residents over OOS applicants, and as you probably know, ILR is also a state contracted school. Do you have any sources to back up your claims?

You should post this question in the Cornell forum. Your audience there will be more knowledgeable about Cornell.

Anyway, as an alum, I think . you should apply to CAS. For HE you’d have to be able to demonstrate a great fit with HE. If you can’t decide, then you are not a great fit for HE.

@Dontskipthemoose

There are probably some more recent data, but I found this a while back. In 2011 roughly 40-50% of each of the contract colleges were filled with NY state residents.

https://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000177.pdf

I’ve never seen any data on in-state vs out-of-state admissions rates for the contract colleges. Much less associated stats.

Without any actual data, there is simply no way of knowing whether or not there is any preference, or detriment, for in-state applicants vs. out of state applicants.

NYS residents are over-represented in the matriculant pool at the contract colleges, true. But they are very likely over-represented in the applicant pool too. Due to the reduced tuition for NYS residents. More represented, proportionally in the applicant pool vs. admitted students?? or less represented? Who knows. We’ve no data that would clear that up.

Regarding where to apply, IMO, OP should look in detail at the majors, distribution requirements, and in-college credit requirements of each college. And then apply to the college that best meets his interests. Because if he matriculates that is the program of studies he will have to execute. One would not want to take a lot of courses that are of no interest. Should that be the case.

Hum Ec is nominally easier to get into by stats, in general, but they also look for fit. It may or may not be easier for OP. And that won’t really matter, in the end, if he winds up in a program he really doesn’t prefer to be in.

One can transfer colleges within the university after the fact, but you have to apply for transfer, and successful transfer is not absolutely guaranteed.

Review the requirements if both colleges. This will better assist in you deciding. My daughter was in CAS and enjoyed her time there immensely.