Yeah, after taking everything into consideration, that’s the direction I think she is headed 
.
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I’m sure this is true. I’m just sharing my perspective from having taken that path. Best wishes to your D on her journey.
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it sounds like Animal Science is the major she really wants and since she will push herself regardless, so she’s right to prioritize this over a high pressure environment which my derail her professional goals or over “general” science such as Bing or Brandeis.
All Midestern flagships will have Animal Science, tOSU, Iowa State, UMN-TC, UN-L, Michigan State… If she needs more matches and safeties you can find them there and the above would likely yield scholarships. TOSU and UMN TC are massive and in cities, Iowa State and UN-L are in college towns. (Penn State has an excellent animal science program too, but even though the College of Ag has special scholarships they would be unpredictable, so cost is likely too high.)
Has she been working on a farm? Because that’s valuable experience even before college (many girls get to animal science via their love of horses, which is valuable too, but dealing with big stupid animals is an education too 
)
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She wants to stay east coast, which rules out a lot, and doesn’t want enormous, which rules out Penn State. She’s got UConn, UMass, UVM, U of Maryland and U of Delaware on her list (all have animal science). They are all safeties for her. And then Cornell, a reach, unless she applies ED which would then be more of a match. But…no merit at Cornell, super high pressure stakes. Thinking she can get just as good a background in animal science at one of these other schools, and hopefully some merit. No farm work as of yet, but works at a Nature Center and has close to 300 hours there…takes care of everything from goats to snakes and everything in between. End of senior year they do a 2 month internship and she will hopefully work for a vet then.
Don’t forget NC State, which has a great animal sciences program and University Honors /Scholars Program, including a 'Village".
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Do look at the size of the College where Animal Science is located; whether classes are offered for them ony or mixed with premeds or other science majors; whether there’s Living Learning Community for Health or Ag majors; whether there’s an Honors college or Scholars Program that offers housing and activities to its members.
All of this will also impact the perception of size.
UMD would be a match for Honors College.
Honors Colleges offer smaller, more interactive classes and a close-knit community even at big universities. They’re not quite small colleges, but they do help create a sense of community, finding your people, not being anonymous.
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My daughter is a senior at UD, exercise science, in the honors program. It was a safety for her and she has a nice scholarship, and just got into their DPT program (going there for undergrad doesn’t give a big boost for their doctorate program, she loved the school). It’s work hard play hard, and first level science classes are weed outs (she made it through with a lot of effort). Cost was a big issue since we knew it was going to be 7 years.
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Your daughter has a high GPA with rigor, did a summer Cornell program and is a NY resident applying to CALS - which will all help with admissions. If she is hoping for Cornell vet there is certainly a benefit to doing Cornell undergrad IF you do well. The “pressure” at Cornell is all relative- for some kids its stressful, others don’t seem to be bothered by it, your daughter may have gotten a sense for this during her summer program. I believe Cornell vet used to list the undergrad schools of their incoming class and how many came from each place- she may want to check that out. Good Luck!
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Hi. Our daughter ended up with the great “problem” of getting into too many Animal Science schools. She is leaning towards UMass Amherst (had a great visit yesterday) over UVM, Delaware, UNH, UMaine, Penn State and URI. She just got into Maryland, with Presidential Scholarship but they are not offering in person visits at the Ag School. I’m just a lawyer - so no real idea how to guide her?!
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Lots of great options! Are any of them in-state tuition?
UVM & UMASS have options for early admission to Tufts, apply as a sophomore. UVM and UNH have Cream Programs. UVM and UNH have the Cream program (kids manage dairy herd) and I bet UMASS and Penn State have something similar. UNH has a strong vet school acceptance rate. I’m less familiar with the others.
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I say let her apply to Cornell RD along with all the other universities. That way she still has a chance at Cornell (albeit not as good as ED) but you won’t have the stress you are already feeling and you will be able to compare all of her offers at the same time. Kind of a happy medium solution.
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My daughter is following a very similar path with animal science/pre-vet and we must have been at the same session at UMass since we were also there on 2/19. I just wanted to let you know that Maryland is offering in-person sessions with the Ag School. They sent out an email with upcoming dates. The ag sessions are tacked on to the end of the general accepted student sessions. If you or your daughter didn’t receive an email, reach out to them for the dates. Best of luck to your daughter!
Could try SUNY and transfer later to CALS.
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Thank you for your input. She ended up applying RD to Cornell but we won’t hear back for a while. So far, she’s been accepted to the following schools as an animal science major: UVM (merit), UMass (merit), Delaware (merit + honor), Maryland, Penn State. The only “non-animal science” school she heard from and got into was Binghamton. Still waiting to hear back from 11 others, but of those, only UConn and Cornell have the animal science program. I think the more she visits these schools, talks to people and thinks about it, she’s going to end up at a school with the program she wants (vs. general biology). Big decision ahead!
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Yes…though she has not yet heard back from CALS…
For some reason I made the mistake of thinking your daughter was a junior and you were making plans for applications in the fall of 2022. Obviously it’s too late to choose between Cornell Ed and RD lol, but I think you made the right choice. If she is denied at Cornell it will obviously hurt but then your whole family will be be able to stop worrying about Cornell what ifs …. if she gets in, you will have some time to decide if it is worth it. I am not a vet but I have seen the Cornell vet school, and it is extremely impressive. But your daughter has some other great choices. I wouldn’t know which to pick from the list of places she has already been accepted to, plus all the others you are still waiting on. Good luck!
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@ChancellorGH thanks 
Would you mind sharing where your daughter went to undergrad? My daughter’s goal is vet school and we are exploring undergrad options that offer good merit.