Dual Major Across Schools?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Hi there!

I’m a high school senior applying to Cornell’s College of Engineering ED, and I’d like to know if I would be able to dual major in physics from the College of Arts and Sciences and computer science from the COE.

Also, if that’s not an option, can any Cornell students or any engineering/applied physics majors weigh in as to the similarities and differences between physics at CAS and engineering physics at COE? Do you think I would get the same or a similar experience as if I chose to major in engineering physics vs theoretical?

Thank you!

2

You can also major in Computer Science in the Arts College.

3

I attended when dinosaurs roamed the earth, so bear that in mind. But back then at least, the core courses of the CAS physics major and AEP were considered very comparable. In fact, IIRC you could even substitute them for each other. The main differences major-wise were AEP majors often took advanced electives in more applied areas: Lasers, solid state, nuclear, etc. Whereas CAS physics majors often took advanced courses in more theoretical areas like astronomy, molecular physics, quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics, etc.

But there is obviously a lot of overlap in these areas. Plus, I think that had more to do with interests of particular students rather than program requirements. I don’t know what limitations exist in taking the CAS-labeled courses in place of AEP-labeled courses and vica versa, you’d have to look into it. IIRC a lot of the upper-level courses were actually cross-listed ie they had numbers in both colleges. You could take them and they would count as in-college credits regardless of whether you attended CAS or COE. Check the registrar’s list of courses to see to what extent this is the case.

I don’t recall there being much differences in graduate school outcomes between each set of majors. They are both great programs.

The main difference, back then anyway, was really the 2/3 (or whatever it is now) of your courses that are outside your major. In CAS you will be fulfilling CAS distribution requirements. In COE you will be taking the COE requirements. In both cases you can take electives outside of your college, but this ability is not unlimited because you need a certain number of in-college credits to graduate.

So think about how you would like to be educating yourself outside of your major.

4

Thank you for your quick replies!

@Saugus I’m just not sure of my odds in applying to CAS instead of COE. I know some of the people applying to CAS from my school and I don’t stand a chance against them unless their essays are somehow awful.

@monydad Honestly all of those electives sound amazing. I love both theory and application, but application generally has better job prospects (so I think).

5

What are your stats? COE isn’t easier to get into than CAS. If anything, it’s harder.

6

@Saugus I’m more worried about the other people’s stats overall, because while I think mine are pretty solid theirs are better.

Asian Male, Born in America (First language English).
Public High School

GPA UW: 3.91
GPA W: 4.61 (out of 5.0)

ACT Composite: 36
ACT Math: 35
ACT English: 35
ACT Reading: 36
ACT Science: 36
ACT Writing: 31 (The ACT company sent out a study showing that students taking the new ACT generally scored about 2-4 points lower on the Writing section than overall).

SAT Overall: 1590
Language Arts: 790
Math: 800

SAT Overall: 1580 (second examination)
LA: 780
Math: 800
Essay: 18/24

SAT 2
Physics: 800
Math 2: 800

ECs:
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Head programmer and programming mentor for an all-girls team (I am a guy)
Varsity Boys Tennis: Starter since freshman year, team captain senior year. NCCC champions and state runner ups.
Mock Trial: Lawyer, no recognized achievement here.
Math Team: I’m not sure of any recognized achievement here.
Writing Center: I tutor students (mostly underclassmen) with other upperclassmen at my school’s writing center (about 1.5 hours per week in school).

I was involved in all of these clubs from freshman to senior year, with the exception of writing center where I only tutored from 11th-12th grade.

Paid summer internship at Reality Interactive LLC., a tech company which produces interactive displays for companies like TWC, BMW, Titleist, etc. I configured computers for use and helped out with general neatness and other random tasks. 24 hours a week, 8 weeks a year, summers after sophomore and junior year.

APs:
Computer Science: 5
Physics 1: 5
Physics 2: 4
US History: 4

Currently Taking:
Chemistry
English Literature
BC Calculus
Latin Vergil

APs that I didn’t take but could have:
Biology
English Language
A few elective APs that didn’t have lower levels (AP Euro, AP Psychology, etc).

I have nothing lower than an A- except on 3 occasions.
English 10 H: B first semester, A- second
Honors Biology: B+ first semester, A- second
Honors Civics: B+ second semester (one semester class).

I’d say my essays and recommendations will be good enough to slightly boost my chances, and almost definitely will not hurt me.

Awards:
2nd place in Region 3 of the AAPT Physics Bowl Division 2 (Region 3 is Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont and Division 2 is for second year physics students).
Magna Cum Laude (Bronze Medal) in the National Latin Exam.

My class rank is most likely #8 or #7 out of 200-250 students. I know that I’m in the top 10%, but that’s as much as our school will give us.

Two years ago, a girl from my school got into Cornell ED, but backed out of the agreement on bogus claims of financial necessity so that she could go to MIT. I’m not sure if this will impact my chances or not though.

Generally only one person gets into Cornell from our school per year. I’m applying as a computer science major to the College of Engineering.

Thank you!

7

Impressive stats @poultry!
I’d admit you!
College admissions can be unpredictable at top tier schools so apply to several that you like and you’ll be fine.
I don’t think the student who backed out of ED will affect your chances at all.
Sorry I can’t answer your original questions. You could always call the departments at Cornell and ask (I have found they don’t respond to emails much).

8

Those stats are quite good. Is your school a feeder school? If so, it shouldn’t discourage you that others are applying.