<p>I'm a freshman at NYU majoring in Econ. I was attracted to Cornell for several reasons...it's large, diverse, rural, I'm unhappy with my undergrad experience at NYU and while NYU is a great college, I feel like it would be a better option for grad school or something. The main reason I want to transfer to Cornell is for the PAM major in HumanEc, a really unique program. But I feel like a PAM degree is so much more limiting than Econ...based on what I've read about it, it's like they're training you to become a policy analyst, and I don't want to be limited to that. It's such a specialized, pre-professional type of degree, it makes me nervous. It's so specific...Policy Analysis And Management. They tell ya how to analyze the policies, and manage stuff...or that's what it sounds like. Econ is liberal arts based and so broad, and I feel like an Econ degree would keep more doors open for me. </p>
<p>I don't think it would be worth it to transfer from NYU CAS to Cornell CAS just for Econ, because I can basically get the same education here without the hassle of transferring, and NYU is cheaper since I commute (but HumEc would actually be cheaper for me than NYU, since I'm in-state). </p>
<p>I'm thinking of Law school as well, but that's a huge "maybe" at this point. I realize my undergrad degree wouldn't be nearly as important if I get a Law degree, but there's a big chance I might go into the workforce right outta college. Also, Law schools care so much about GPA, and I feel like it would be much easier having a high gpa at NYU than at a more competitive college like Cornell.</p>
<p>Not really. There are a lot of different paths to go down in PAM, and there are plenty of electives to pursue outside of the major as well. If anything, I would say that it is surprising that more PAM students don't go on into the policy world.</p>
<p>thanks...I do overthink and over-analyze everything :) But it's kinda a big thing to pick your major. So how is a PAM degree perceived in the world? Similarly to one in Public Policy? Most of my electives would be Econ related, I guess, since that's what I'm interested in. </p>
<p>Cornell will probably reject me anyway, and then I won't have to worry about this lol. Ugh when I found out about PAM, I was so into it and wished I had known about it before so I could've applied in HS, but now I'm having second thoughts. It is just so specific. Policy Analysis and Managment. What a long, detailed name...it needs its own abbreviation. Maybe it's not such a good thing that no other college has that major. I'm having second thoughts about transferring now. Maybe it's because my 1st Semester of college, I realized NYU, like any other college, isn't perfect, so in my mind I picked a new place and idealized it. Maybe I should get over the crap I dislike and stick it out with NYU and forget Cornell, till it's time for Law school apps, if I decide to go with Law school.</p>
<p>I totally understanding the over thinking and over analyzing... So this was what I came up with:
PAM is only a certain number of credits. I want to focus in my own area of public policy, and take other courses, so the foundation of PAM (which is all it really is for public policy) will be awesome.
As for law school, I wouldn't say that Cornell is all that more competitive than NYU, but I guess you would be the one to judge. The point is, if you enjoy it, you will generally do well in it. From all I've heard, the people at Cornell aren't that competitive with each other, they just pressure themselves to do well. So if you want yourself to do well, and you enjoy it, chances are it'll work out.
My advice would apply, see what happens, and THEN make a decision.</p>
<p>PAM major here.... thought i'd weigh in on this....</p>
<p>basically PAM is a very flexible major, you really have very few distribution requirements (compared to just about every other major). I know senior PAM majors going to law school, iBanking (yes even in this economy they have FABULOUS job offers), government stuff, business, and whatnot. The nice thing about the name of the degree Policy Analysis and Management (which they are currently considering changing) allows people interested in Public Policy to say that the degree is mostly public policy and those interested in busines/economics can say its all about econ.</p>
<p>I hope they change it to Policy Analysis rather than Public Policy. Actually I'd rather they just kept it PAM, it sounds cute. I really wanna study Econ policy ultimately. Law school is a big If as of now. I know someone who transferred from NYU to Cornell, and he says the students are more competitive there. I think instead of applying for Fall '09 transfer like I wanted to originally, I'll wait another semester and apply for Spring '10, it'll give me more time to decide if I really want to apply or not. If I apply now and get in, I'll be tempted to go just to get out of NYU and go to Cornell, instead of because I really want the major. </p>
<p>Yeah I'm not surprised about people going into iBanking...it's funny how some people (at NYU, at least) are like "ibanking? pshh in this economy, have fun trying to get a job!" it's like uhh the recession's not gonna last forever and ibanking is a lucrative career...not one I plan to pursue though.</p>
<p>Ugh this has been bugging me all day. I was planning on using the 4 week break to work on my Cornell app, and now I'm having trouble picking a major. I strongly considered ILR, but decided I don't wanna go with labor relations. Thought of AEM, but I'd rather do Econ than undergrad business. So, now it's down to PAM and Econ. </p>
<p>The worst that could happen is I transfer into PAM, decide it's not for me, then I'm stuck. I would have to do an internal transfer to CAS-Econ, but then the whole time I would feel like, hey, should've just stuck with that other major, I like it and it saves me money. Don't know if it's worth it to go from NYU CAS Econ to Cornell CAS Econ. </p>
<p>Hmmm Cornell will probably reject me and save me the worry. I'll probably end up at SUNY Binghamton and do Econ there and be happy :)</p>
<p>ILR is not as limiting as it sounds. Look into the actual courses offered by the school and you may find yourself more interested. Also, you seem to be very concerned about job opportunities, and ILR should not limit them at all. You don't have to go into 'labor relations'. Graduates go into so many different fields, and a lot go to law school which you are considering. Gives you a lot of options, and I don't imagine PAM would be much different in that sense.</p>
<p>However, I really do think you are over thinking this. There is also no reason to be so negative about your acceptance chances. Think more positively. I remember seeing your GPA on another thread, and I know of NYU students that got accepted to Cornell as transfers with worse.</p>
<p>Look, it's not like I want to pick a major that automatically leads to money - I've decided I'd rather do liberal arts-Econ than Business, which is strictly pre-professional. But yeah, both NYU and Cornell are expensive, and I'm concerned about the degree I'll end up with. Meanwhile, my parents are pushing Finance on me and trying to get me to transfer to NYU Stern...lol</p>
<p>I've looked at the major requirements and courses for Econ, ILR, PAM, and AEM, and I've really narrowed it down to PAM and Econ at this point. The mission statement of HumanEc just appeals to me more than ILR, and I'd rather do Econ than Business, so AEM is out. </p>
<p>About my chances, I'm honestly just realistic. I am hopeful about Cornell accepting me (which is why I made this thread) but I also realize it's selective, which is why I have a backup - Binghamton is the best SUNY school IMO and I'd be more than happy to go there.</p>
<p>I know you were thinking about waiting for another semester, but I personally wouldn't do that. 1. You grow more attached to your current school so your decision to transfer or not is more emotion led and 2. You miss out on opportunities, coming in half-way. You still have a lot of time to decide what you want, and I wouldn't think a few extra months would be a deal breaker except for the above reasons. </p>
<p>I'd also like to know the answer to Cayuga's question.</p>
<p>Honestly stargazerlilies, if you're having a hard time deciding: Make a list of 1. Reasons to stay where you are and 2. Reasons to go. Do NOT make a list of reasons to not stay/go. After you have a general idea, talk to some of your professors who are the big shots or with whom you have a close connection with, talk to your adviser, and then make a choice. But I really do think you would be better off applying this spring... just my opinion.</p>
<p>Cayuga Red- I am IN PAM. I received at least 5 emails with surveys asking PAM MAJORS for THEIR INPUT on changing the name. CLEARLY not everyone in the university, or even everyone in HumEc was asked to take one of these surveys b/c it does not pertain to them. I also have spoken with 2 of the main professors in charge of PAM (2 of my professors) about the major and there was a discussion with PAM MAJORS (only) invited to discuss the chanigng of the name.</p>
<p>i like the name PAM better and so does just about everyone else... it won't change for next year at least and once you get into PAM you're grandfathered into the name PAM if you like it so don't worry about it</p>
<p>The reason I've changed my mind about applying is because I don't want to rush into PAM and then find out it's not for me, and then have to transfer again...that would be a nightmare. I don't know if I want PAM anymore, I might stick with Econ. lje28 - do you know when they're planning on changing it (if at all)? And why the name change? PAM is pretty unique...every college has public policy.</p>
<p>i dont think the name change is gonna fly (at least that is what we were told)... i'll search through my emails to find their exact reasoning behidn the idea for the name change and PM it to you</p>