Hey so basically I really want to get into Cornell but based on what I’ve seen I probably wont get in, so I need to find more schools to apply to that have similar strengths as Cornell. I am a junior in HS and I don’t really know where to start in my college search. I’ve visited a couple colleges (TCNJ, Rutgers, Cornell) and pretty much Cornell was the one that I really wanted to go to. I want to major in Plant genetics and biology and it has a really good plant facility. I also really liked the diversity, resources, nature (i really like the natural scenery and don’t really mind being so far from the city), and their quality of education. I need help finding other schools that have a strong plant genetics program that have similar aspects to Cornell. Any tips?
Take a look at University of Wisconsin at Mad, Purdue, Michigan State. All have acceptance rates much higher than Cornell
You need to look at the admissions stats for CALS, not for CAS, at Cornell. Alternate options in NYS could include SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, and SUNY College of Ag & Tech in Cobleskill. Also, any of the NY community colleges that have transfer agreements for CALS at Cornell.
Are you in NJ? If so, the best plant genetics will probably be at Rutgers.
What can you and your family afford to pay? That will ultimately determine where you can go. So sit down with your parents and run the Net Price Calculators at Cornell CALS, Rutgers, and any of the other places that offer Plant Genetics/Plant Biology that look interesting to you. College Navigator finds 47 with those kinds of majors today: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=all&p=26.0805+26.0301+26.0399&l=93&ct=1+2&ic=1
Ohio State? Auburn?
Unfortunately, Purdue and MSU are in typical Midwestern cropland, and the OP is looking for a place closer to nature. UW Madison is an excellent choice, though. Other good choices would be UMass Amherst, Oregon State, Colorado State, U Vermont, and Washington State. If you are interested in Liberal Arts Colleges, Connecticut College has a Plant Biology major,
Seconding @MWolf’s suggestion of Connecticut College.
How about UVM?
UMass Amherst
U-Vermont
Agree re: UVM and UMass. Virginia Tech is another strong STEM university with a strong ag school, that would be great for your interests and that offers the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Purdue would be a fit academically but the Indiana terrain might not appeal as much as the others.
Hey yes I am a NJ student. Rutgers does offer a good plant genetics program but it is not really one of my top choices when it comes to school environment and I am looking for something where I am in close contact with nature. It is def a possible/safety school for me. UVM and UMass sound good, I’ll go check them out. Just more info on my situation:
I am a Junior in HS
Current GPA (UW): 3.93
GPA (weighted): 4.38
SAT: 1460 (out of 1600)
Does anyone know if it’s worth it to take the ACT? I am proably going to retake the SAT to get over a 1500 but don’t know if it’s worth also getting an ACT score
Some students find one test “easier” than the other. So yes, if you have the time it might not be a bad idea to try the ACT too.
In putting together your application list make sure you run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site to see what the costs will be. Then have that discussion with your parents about how much they are willing to pay.
I have compiled a list of the colleges that you guys recommended and looked through their plant genetics programs. There are some in which their plant genetics and plant biology programs are only graduate programs. Does that mean in those colleges I won’t be able to get into research until after I take my four years? Also what would I study as an undergrad if I can’t do the plant program unless I am a grad
Look at the course offerings and tracks within the closest majors, and also research you could potentially participate in as an undergrad while majoring in biology, ecology, botany, etc.
Also, I don’t know how far from home you want to go (sounds like you’re on the east coast) and/or how much $ you want to spend, but UC Davis is a tippy-top school in this field as well, and has a Plant Biology major with a Plant Breeding and Genetics option within the major. OOS tuition is pricey though.
You need to look at the specific requirements for the major, and check prerequisites for the graduate level courses. You might find that some of the graduate courses are open to junior and senior students who have all of the pre-reqs. Just because there’s no undergrad plant genetics major, doesn’t automatically mean that you can’t take any coursework in that topic as an undergrad. Places with big grad programs also have space for undergrads in their labs, you just have to ask around. Also, pay attention to the USDA labs on or near each campus. What projects are ongoing there? They also have positions for undergrads and recent college grads as trainees.