<p>Thank you, everyone, for the helpful information and encouraging posts!! :)</p>
<p>idk i kind of disagree with you guys on this one. from my experience in engineering the kids that don't have the natural talent always get screwed. i know kids that study a lot and just can't compete with kids that might study for an hour tops for a prelim. my tests have never been raw regurgitation, they've always been a test of how smart you are not how hard you studied.</p>
<p>well ILR is surely diff than engineering so I guess it differs between majors</p>
<p>Actually, if she were going into engineering she would probably not be as worried, because math and the sciences are her strongest subjects and she is very talented in those areas. She is worried, probably because I keep harping on her, about writing and such. English has never been one of her best subjects, and I think her grammar skills are relatively poor compared to what I see written on these boards. (In her defense, our school district has not really taught any type of grammar since 3rd grade...a policy which they recently changed after realizing that it was a problem) Usually, when she really tries, she can do just ok. Hopefully the freshman writing seminar will help her, instead of making her crazy! :)</p>
<p>How's the sex?</p>
<p>Hi JustaMom--I agree with abanks--your daughter wouldn't have been chosen if she couldn't handle the work. Sounds like she is just a very conscientious girl who wants to do well. We should keep in touch--my son was also admitted ED and is very excited to be going to Cornell. He did the summer program last summer and loved the campus. What will your daughter be studying? Where are you guys from?</p>
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She is worried, probably because I keep harping on her, about writing and such. English has never been one of her best subjects, and I think her grammar skills are relatively poor compared to what I see written on these boards.
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<p>Within the Freshman Writing Seminar program, there is a special course, called "An Introduction to Writing in the University" for students who have particular concerns about their writing skills. Go to the Freshman Writing Seminar site here: Past</a> FWS Offerings - Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines and look at the back page of the course offerings from one of the previous semesters to see the course description.</p>
<p>If your daughter thinks that a course of this sort, rather than an ordinary Freshman Writing Seminar, might be suitable for her, she can talk to the relevant people during Orientation Week and find out whether such a placement would be appropriate for her.</p>
<p>I tend to think, though, that if she got in Early Decision, she won't have any major academic problems unless she creates them herself (through procrastination, excessive drinking, or other such behaviors). Borderline candidates do not get admitted Early Decision. They get deferred.</p>
<p>Also, one of the more attractive aspects of Cornell for some students (my daughter and perhaps your daughter among them) is that you can graduate without ever taking an English course as long as you choose courses to meet various requirements carefully. (My daughter writes well but hates to study literature.) So a student whose weakest subject is English is in luck.</p>
<p>Marian...thanks so much for all of the wonderful information. I would hope that she will be able to take one of the "regular" writing seminars, because I think she would really enjoy that type of class. Hopefully she will be able to figure out if she needs an introductory course before it starts. She has been taking some pretty heavy duty English classes in HS (IB English), so maybe she will be ok. There seems to be a lot of academic support from the Carol Takon Center, including a walk-in writing service, which I assume (?) is to help the kids with their writing assignments in some capacity. </p>
<p>pamelab...thanks for the kind words and support! She is very conscientious, and hopefully that will pay off. We live on Long Island...congratulations to your son as well!</p>
<p>My daughter is also a freshman at Cornell. She is going to double major in CAS. She is also one of those smart kid (not brilliant) and always has to work for her grades. She took mostly upper level courses last semester. But she found time to go out every weekend, hold down a job and still do some ballet. She also did manage to go to bed by 12 on most school nights. </p>
<p>Marian is right, it is really time management. Some kids would wait until late at night before they start their paper, or start studying the night before a prelim. My daughter did utilize professor's office hours for additional help. It is a habit she got into in high school. Cornell is a big school, not as much of warm and fuzzy. If you are not doing well in class or not showing up for class, you will not get a call from your advisor, which other smaller schools will do.</p>
<p>I think social life at Cornell could be a bit intimidating for freshmen initially. It is big, therefore there are not many events where ALL freshmen attend. For better or worse (I don't know if it's the norm), my daughter's social life revolves around the Greek life. She is going to rush come Jan. From what I hear, those franternity parties are like night clubs - bouncers, line around the house, etc. Kids (girls) get very dressed to go out. It may not be for everyone, but it fits my daughter to a T. She had initially left most of her nicer clothes and handbags at home, but they were all sent up soon after the orientation week. She is loving Cornell because of the size, kids, social life and academic. She doesn't think she could have made a better choice.</p>
<p>One other note, try to get a single if you could. I think it made all the difference for my daughter. She didn't have to deal with roommate issues the first semester. She also loved the fact that she could study in her room when it's FREEZING out.</p>
<p>You are most welcome--Justamom--maybe our kids will meet each other next year!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info about the fraternity parties oldfort--helps to know what they kids will need in terms of clothing when they are there. I'll also pass on to my son that he should request a single, if possible. He also has a friend he met there last summer he'd like to room with if he does get a double--do you know if the freshmen can request people as roommates? Thanks!</p>
<p>There are almost as many styles of life at Cornell as there are students.</p>
<p>oldfort's daughter loves the Greek life. My daughter, on the other hand, has no interest in it whatsoever. The only time she ever got dressed up during her first semester was when she was performing with a Music Department ensemble that she joined. Yet she's not bored or isolated. She has friends, and she finds plenty of things to do on campus. Different strokes for different folks.</p>
<p>JustaMom, if your daughter is an IB Diploma candidate, she can be especially confident that she can handle Cornell. My daughter was in IB and is now in Arts and Sciences at Cornell. She says that Cornell is easier than high school. Of course, she's speaking about IB-style high school, not high school in general.</p>
<p>pamelab, yes, freshman can request a specific person as a roommate.</p>
<p>All of the kids that come back to visit the current IB class at my daughter's HS have said that the IB program prepared them well, and that they have found the transition to college easier that their college classmates who did not participate in such a program. When deciding whether or not to go the IB diploma route, my daughter felt it would be better to experience the challenge of such a rigorous curriculum while having the support that comes from living at home. As you know, tha amount of work they have to do for that program can be overwhelming at times, and I know she appreciates a little lovin' when she gets totally stresses out. :)</p>
<p>I never really thought of my daughter as the sorority type, and neither does she, but she is trying to keep an open mind and hey, you never know!</p>
<p>pamelab...I forgot to mention that my daughter is going to be a student at the Hotel School!</p>
<p>oldfort, thanks for the info. I agree that time management is key, and she has always been very on top of deadlines and her schoolwork, and usually plans well enough that she is not stressing the night before something is due, like most of her classmates! (Although I have to say that lately, she's feeling sort of "done" with HS, and she has noted that it has been harder for her to stay focused with so much to look forward to. :) On a separate note, if they request a single do they usually get one? Any really bad dorms with singles?? Thanks!</p>
<p>Erm, singles are usually hit or miss. There aren't any really bad dorms per se, although there was some trouble with the low rises this year that I heard about (not a freshman, so don't know the details). Most of the singles are either in balch or dickson. And balch is an all girls dorm with huge single and dickson is co-ed, but each hall has a really long row of only girls or only boys. The singles on the 6th floor of dickson are huge. The newer dorms, mews and court-kay-bauer, have a few singles, but those are generally harder to get.</p>
<p>And about IB being easier than high school. That may be true in arts and sciences, but in engineering I feel like everyone struggles somewhat. I came from an IB school and I'm in engineering and I have to say that taking a required intro to quantum mechanics course was not easy at all. It's all about the perspective here.</p>
<p>Good to know, Marian, thanks!</p>
<p>The hotel school will be incredible for her--JustaMom--my son is planning to study philosophy and pre-law.</p>
<p>pamelab---
If your son knows who he wants to live with next year then he and his potential roommate of choice can specify it on their housing form I believe. If there is no spot on the housing form then he and his potential roommate can contact the housing office and tell them they want to live together. It's really easy, I did it last year.</p>
<p>Great, thanks. I'll pass that info on to my son so he can room with the friend he made last summer. They were very compatible. Thanks quickstart!</p>
<p>I mean quick1865, haha, sorry--I have no idea where the "quickstart" came from!</p>