Good morning,
I’m torn between majoring in mathematics and venturing into the ILR school at Cornell. I tried to shoot my regional officer an email about this, but no reply. On the Common Application (applying regular), would you recommend applying to A&S and then declaring the major later on? Or apply to ILR initially, and then do the same? For those who are there, what’s double majoring across schools like?
A lot of questions, I know; whoever can answer is welcome. Thanks
Unless this has changed:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/cornell-university/1311489-cornell-ilr-can-you-double-major.html
Thank you; I couldn’t quite find something like that, and that is definitely helpful.
What aspects of the ILR school interest you? Those aspects might be reflected in another major within CAS, and you could choose to double major within CAS.
I was interested in the study of communication in light of law and industry. With that being said, I have always had the notion that I was going to double major in Mathematics and some form of chemistry. ILR intrigued me so much that I was compelled to think otherwise. Are similar bases covered in an A&S major? Again, thank you; this helps very much
IIRC, coursework in communications, biology [which may branch into biochemistry], and statistics are available in CALS.
Each college has a requirement for #in-college credits, but that leaves room for courses taken at other of the university’s colleges. I daresay most students wind up taking courses at more than one of its colleges.
Cornell is actually a really a good fit for someone whose interests span this wide a range. You can pursue coursework in all these diverse areas. But you cannot necessarily major in all of them.
CAS also offers a “College Scholar” program where you can essentially design your own major. But I’m not sure to what extent this is available to pursue studies across college boundaries. Plus you have to be accepted to do that.
I think Cornell could be great for you, actually, But you probably need to do more investigation to figure out the best way to accomplish your objectives there.
One you do that, and can articulate your reasons and approach, you might be a really good candidate. Assuming academic credentials are there.
Thank you for mentioning CALS; I did some research and am particularly enticed by the Biometry & Stats major. I have always had the disposition, though, that I would thrive in Mathematics (in CAS).
I’m pretty torn on the decision. With so much undecidedness, would you recommend applying to CALS or CAS? I am unsure of my future, and do not know if I like B&S or Mathematics more. Being realistic, it is likely that I change my major anyway after admission. Is my chance of being admitted into Cornell altered, depending on the school to which I apply?
I should have a fair shot to get in, regardless of to which school I apply. But I do not think I am anywhere close to a “lock” (like anyone else).
Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you all for the help.
The traditional college choice for someone who is very undecided is a college of arts & sciences.
Admission at Cornell is by college, and the admission percentages do differ somewhat. I haven’t seen breakouts by college for recent years, the last one I recall seeing was for 2011, when the admissions rate for the aggregate university as a whole was about was 18%.
https://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000003.pdf
https://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000177.pdf
https://dpb.cornell.edu/documents/1000176.pdf
For CALS, applicants must specify a major when they apply, and admissions odds, though not published, are reputed to be different among its various majors. With Dyson and Biology being more competitive.
But fit is important in admissions consideration, so IMO your chances are generally better at the college/program where you fit the best.
I agree with the above post: fit is probably the most important in getting in, but if you’re looking to potentially switch majors and want to explore a number of different fields, arts and sciences is the place to do it. You could major in mathematics as you indicated earlier and either double major or minor in a bunch of other subjects that may interest you. Everyone technically comes into CAS undecided so there’s a lot of encouragement to take courses in a lot of different departments.
Based on what you mentioned earlier, here are some other majors/minors that you might want to look into:
Communication (CALS – but you could minor in it if you were in CAS)
Chemistry (CAS – no minor offered but you could major in it)
Law & Society (CAS – minor only)
Statistical Science (CAS – major only)
Biometry & Statistics (CALS – but I believe the minor is open to students in CAS)
Guys - thank you so much. This discussion has really eased the process of applying to Cornell, and it simplifies just about every source I have on the majors/minors at the school. Thanks!