Econ vs AEM? and essay advice?

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I am not completely sure what kind of job I want to work in when I grow up, but I definitely want to major in Econmics/Business department. I am looking into iBanking. Would AEM be a better major than econ? I also really enjoy science and want to double major in a science degree (biology? or maybe computer science?), which school would allow me to do this easier? ALS or CAS?</p>

<p>I think I am going to use Cornell's Primary/Alternate option. Does including an alternate lower your chances of getting in your primary school? I am having a hard time choicing whether to do Econ or AEM as the primary. Any advice on which major to put as the primary? If anyone knows the pros and cons and differences between Econ and AEM that would be great!</p>

<p>I just finished my Cornell supplements for AEM and Econ, so if anyone would be willing to look over it (no applicants! please adults or Cornell students), I would highly appreciate it! Maybe I'll just put my primary with the better written essay haha. </p>

<p>Also, for the essays, I know that the word limit is less than 650 words. My CAS essay is currently only 350 words. Is it way too short? Should I make it longer? I just don't know what else to write. I know it's a bit on the short side but I think it is extremely well written.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

<p>I would take AEM over Econ if your other interest is biology.</p>

<p>Econ is extremely theoretical. AEM is stuff which is actually practical.</p>

<p>Would I be able to double major in AEM and biology at Cornell? Is double majoring do-able or hard?</p>

<p>1) Yeah.</p>

<p>2) I’m a triple major. Just means less electives.</p>

<p>^ What are you triple majoring in?</p>

<p>To OP: Double majoring in AEM + Bio might be hard b/c that’s in two different schools in Cornell, you’d have to fulfill requirements for both. It might be easier to double major in bio & econ since they’re both in A&S.</p>

<p>Did you talk about how you will benefit from the schools resources, or did you just talk about yourself?</p>

<p>“How have your interests and related experiences influenced the major you have selected in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences? (Please limit your response to 650 words.)”</p>

<p>This is different than the format for other schools: “College of Arts and Sciences: Describe your intellectual interests, their evolution, and what makes them exciting to you. [Tell us how you will utilize the academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences to further explore your interests, intended major, or field of study.”]</p>

<p>@johnny no there’s a bio major in cals.
CALS = college of agriculture and life sciences fyi</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Yep you’re right, never knew AEM was in CALS, always thought it was its own mini-school or something. CALS might be the preferred option financially if OP is a resident of NY.</p>

<p>I thought you’re not allowed to double-major in different schools. Also, don’t apply to two schools. Someone in administration said that you won’t get into either. I don’t know if it was just that guy’s opinion but he said it shows that you’re not really committed to either and Cornell is all about fit.</p>

<p>^
What are you talking about? They give you the option to apply to two and most people take it, including me.</p>

<p>@Johnny-- Independent major, Gov, Econ. Minors in business, law/society and inequality.</p>

<p>Someone in admissions in ILR when we visited said they shouldn’t have made that option and that both schools read both essays and it’s hard to say you’re a perfect fit for AEM and for let’s say ILR. I guess if you’re applying to Arts and Science you don’t have to seem committed to a major.</p>

<p>AEM is harder to get into. They don’t take very many applicants (50 or 100 - don’t remember how many).</p>

<p>Does anyone know the answer to my essay question? :(</p>

<p>Saugus—I agree with amazon that there is ambivalence about the primary/secondary school choice among Cornell Ad Coms. While there are several majors (Bio, CS) that could be pursued in more than one school, the very specialized programs, ILR & Hotel come to mind, really do not want to think that applicants are anything but passionate for one program. I am not saying that I agree with this but that I believe not all of the colleges are thrilled that the option exists. I think the university wants to continue offering this choice, and regional reps will encourage applicants to take advantage of it, but it is not popular at the college level, and admission decisions are made at the college level.</p>

<p>I would not be surprised to see it disappear, but that is just idle speculation on my part.</p>

<p>Both essays can be read by both or just the primary college. This appears somewhere on an Admissions Q & A page on the university’s site.</p>

<p>OP - i heard somewhere that only 2% of people who get rejected from 1st choice get their second choice. i don’t remember where i read that though tbh.
i’m still in high school but i’m really interested in cornell.</p>

<p>saugus - i think it’s cool how you’re doing an ind. major AND still doing traditional majors. very smart and innovative idea.</p>

<p>amazon - i just read my last post and i realized i came off as pretentious. sorry</p>

<p>Sorry, originally I meant to type my CALS essay is only 350 words, not the CAS one. Anyways, after editing, my CALS essay is now ~400 and my CAS one is ~500. Is that still too short?</p>

<p>Also, what do you guys think about doing the Primary/alternate option for AEM and econ? I understand that some of the super specialized programs like hotel and ILR wouldn’t want you to use primary/alternate, but what about AEM and econ? Is AEM considered super specialized?</p>

<p>Also, I am not in state, so tuition is not a factor here. </p>

<p>And does anyone know of how easy it would be to switch from AEM to econ or vice versa if I should get into one and realize the other was a better fit?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>If it’s a tossup just apply to Econ. It’s easier to get into. You could try to transfer into AEM. 3 people on this thread have heard that it’s a bad idea to apply to 2 schools.</p>

<p>aria—AEM has a very high transfer in rate. 95 freshmen started Fall 2013 but an additional 46 external and 59 intra-Cornell students transferred this past fall.</p>

<p>I don’t know how ‘easy’ it is to transfer and have not come across a transfer acceptance rate. Freshman AEM acceptance rate was 8% last year.</p>

<p>Someone else will need to address the logistics of transferring. I do not believe it is very difficult but the level of difficulty probably varies across programs.</p>

<p>In the end, both of those majors are a joke.
Considered to be the easiest majors at Cornell.
Enjoy 4 years of being laughed at by your more “intellectual” peers!</p>

<p>Yeah, and laugh all the way to the bank.</p>

<p>I lost all respect for bankers after they made investment banking into a “night at the casinos”.
They really are the scum of the world, regardless of how much they make.</p>