<p>I applied ED to Cornell, and got in. I applied for the AEM program, and that's where I will be going next fall. However, I am not sure that I want to do business. I think that's what I want to do, and it's appealing, but I really do not know because I do not have a lot of experience in the field. I am afraid that I made a mistake applying to a business program instead of going to A&S and just seeing what I like and perhaps later double majoring. I am also afraid that perhaps I made a harsh discussion and should not have applied early. Perhaps I should have seen where else I had an option of going. I did not have these feelings when I was applying, I was pretty set on the school, but my feelings changed once everyone got their college decisions. I keep on having this horrible feeling in my stomach like I made the wrong decision, or like I could have gotten somewhere more fit for me, or even within Cornell that I applied to the wrong college. And no, I cannot transfer within Cornell to A&S because you need to spend 4 years there in order to graduate. Help?!</p>
<p>You can do a direct transfer from any college at Cornell. You need to have a certain gpa though and be reviewed and have a good reason for it. But it is possible. Cornell is a great school. Also e-mail your advisor!</p>
<p>You already chose it. What’s the point of worrying?</p>
<p>I actually feel like I might have wanted to do AEM instead of CAS… You lose out either way, though. I mean, I’m going to take AEM classes on the side, but I’m not going to have all of the knowledge of an AEM major. I wish they would just put the AEM program in CAS. Problems solved.</p>
<p>I’m an AEM major, but I’m not terribly interested in business either. Thankfully, there are many different specializations in AEM; and you can tailor your non-core courses away from the typical business functions (marketing, accounting, finance, and management). I myself am specializing in Applied Economics and International Trade and Development. This allows me to tailor my coursework toward more economics than most other students in my major. And economics is definitely my big personal interest.</p>
<p>That’s the best I can think of assuming you don’t transfer into A&S, which has a broader range of course areas and college requirements than CALS does. Being in A&S also allows more flexibility in taking courses outside of your main discipline, unlike CALS. This is especially important if you’re interested in learning another language!</p>
<p>In terms of regretting applying ED and wishing that you were able to see where you applied and had lots of choices - this year has been brutal. Many that did not apply ED wound up with no choices at all. Or only their “safety” choices. People who on paper were highly qualified for any ivy.</p>
<p>I would second the sentiment expressed by mhmm. College admissions WAS brutal this year. My daughter was accepted to Cornell amid much family excitement but, in spite of straight A’s, straight AP 5’s and SAT’s above 2300, she experienced disappointment in her admissions. She was either denied or waitlisted at her top choices (small LAC’s - you can guess which ones). </p>
<p>Net-net…I would say to the OP, you were admitted to one of the very top universities in the nation, and are to be congratulated for your hard work and talent. Don’t give in to insecurities…Cornell is a marvelous institution and I would guess that a year from now, we’ll be reading very positive posts from you about your Cornell experience.</p>
<p>As a freshman, you really aren’t locked into anything. A much bigger problem would have been trying to transfer INTO AEM, not out of it. Take advantage of your advisor and take a healthy variety of classes your freshman year. You don’t need to get all your graduation requirements done your first two semesters. Cornell is a fantastic place to be unsure what you want to study since it offers so many courses and majors. </p>
<p>My advice: Take the bare minimum freshman AEM classes you need, and take an intro course in other areas you’d consider studying, even if they aren’t in CALS. Then, sometime in your second semester, you should have a better idea whether or not you belong in AEM, some other major, or even some other college (like CAS). And if during your second semester you are still unsure, that’s still fine, but TALK to your advisor (or someone who can help you) so you can have a plan of action to allow you to figure things out.</p>
<p>I think your doubts are not uncommon at this time of the year. As a parent of a rising sophomore, I think most of my son’s classmates had similar concerns last summer. Did I make the right choice? Should I have applied elsewhere? What if …? If only … Just general cold feet, self doubt, and trepidation. As far as I know, all of his high school classmates enjoyed their first year of college, wherever they ended up going. Many students will change their minds about a specific major or career path. I think the schools expect it. Our niece just changed from college of engineering to telecommunications–at another school, but it did involve changing from one college to another. Things like that are always a bureaucratic hassle, but not impossible. Try not to worry too much over the summer. Enjoy the summer, and look forward to having a fun year freshman year in Ithaca!</p>
<p>Don’t worry about regretting your choice! Cornell is one of the schools where you can fit in just how you like to! There are so many choices for friends, activites, and groups that you really can’t have a “bad” experience unless you try. This is coming from someone who almost didn’t choose Cornell!</p>
<p>In addition, you should definitely email your advisor telling him/her about your qualms. Especially in your freshman year, you don’t have to worry about getting behind because you’ve changed your mind. My friend was in engineering her freshman year and then transferred into A&S the next - it happens all the time!</p>
<p>In short, don’t sweat it - nobody REALLY expects you to know exactly what you want to do right when you get into college. So have fun and explore! And don’t hesitate to message me if you have any questions - I’m a rising junior in Engineering.</p>