Many different choices- So little time! Help!

Parents Forum
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<p>Hey all, so I have been accepted to my colleges, one in particular is SUNY Buffalo and Albany should be in soon.</p>

<p>I've read about threads of people in my same situation here, so I'd just like your opinions on this please.</p>

<p>Ok, so I've decided that I really want to transfer into Cornell's CALS school, and have also read about their guaranteed transfer admittance IF you keep the required GPA, finish certain courses, etc.</p>

<p>I don't know if I should attend their "Guaranteed Transfer" admission colleges they have agreements with, or simply go to SUNY Buffalo/Albany, and transfer into there without the "Guaranteed" transfer, because they aren't on the list of colleges Cornell has agreements with.</p>

<p>Also, the "Guaranteed transfer" is only allowed for SOME majors, and the main major I want isn't part of it. However, there are other majors that isn't so bad either.</p>

<p>So in summary for that: The "Bio and Society" major isn't part of the guaranteed transfer, and a few others majors ARE part of the transfer.</p>

<p>I was thinking, maybe I could attend Farmingdale for 1 year, and if my GPA is very high, with other things too, I can just simply apply to the "Bio and Society" major, because I will feel that my chances of getting in are high with the high GPA/good recs/EC's, etc.</p>

<p>BUT, if my GPA is OK, and not so high/low, I can simply find a major that isn't too bad, and is PART of the "Guaranteed Transfer" admissions, and simply get admission into it.</p>

<p>My only problem with this is, is that another requirement is that certain majors REQUIRE you to complete pre-reqs, and those for "Bio/Society" differ from other majors. So I'm stuck trying to figure out if I should simply take all of the classes required for some of the majors I like, or stick to taking the pre-reqs for one major, which would be "Bio/Society". What should I do with this entire 'major' part? I know most will say find what interests you/research more, but I have done that, and I like them equally. </p>

<p>I'm trying to transfer out after ONE year btw, so you can figure that I'm in a tough situation. If I decide to take pre-reqs for just something like "Bio/Society", and I end up not having a good GPA/EC's, etc. then I will basically be screwed, because I would have to wait yet another year to now take the pre-reqs for the major I am looking at.</p>

<p>Then again I can also attend SUNY Buffalo/Albany, take the pre-reqs for the "Bio/Society" major, get that high GPA/good recs/EC's, etc. and transfer in. The thing is, although the rate for this isn't bad, it isn't guaranteed or anything, so I will worry about getting in, etc. and stress over it.</p>

<p>Very sorry it's such a long read, but if I somehow find a way to shorten it or something I will make another thread and leave this alone or something.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

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<p>Bump 10 characters :P</p>

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<p>Micny: Did you actually get the" guaranteed transfer" from Cornell (apply and get GT) or is this a different program from SUNY schools that you are talking about.</p>

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<p>It's different, I didn't apply because I didn't get to finish off one of the tests they required.</p>

<p>CALS</a> Admissions: Transfer Agreements</p>

<p>There it is^</p>

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<p>Bump 10 characters =/</p>

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<p>What is your most important objective, your highest priority, for next year?</p>

<p>What will you do if, for whatever reason, you are unable to get into Cornell CALS?</p>

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<p>You have to decide which way gives you the most options. I think going to Albany or Buffalo gives you the back up of being at a 4 year school with many major options should you not qualify for transfer admit to CALS after one or even 2 years. If you do well at these schools with the required prereqs there should be as good if not better chance of getting accepted to CALS. Next you have to decide how strongly you want to commit to a major (Bio& Society) vs going a more broad route to the other majors in CALS. Have you compared the other majors requirements to see the degree of overlap if any? </p>

<p>"was thinking, maybe I could attend Farmingdale for 1 year, and if my GPA is very high, with other things too, I can just simply apply to the "Bio and Society" major, because I will feel that my chances of getting in are high with the high GPA/good recs/EC's, etc."
The way I read the requirements you would have to stay at F'Dale 2 years working towards an AA degree to meet the transfer requirements if you include the recommended requirements (additional 2 semesters bio with 3.5gpa).</p>

<p>If you do the AA degree at F'Dale then apply to CALS you have to commit to a major if your main aim is to get into one of their programs. You will still have an AA degree to get into other 4 yrs school if Cornell doesn't work out.</p>

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<p>Coskat- Yeah, I noticed that too in the "Preparatory Coursework" for each major. The "Required" parts should be done within one year, but I thought the "Recommended" is basically what it means? Is it "Recommended" simply to let a student know classes will be easier, he/she won't sturggle as much/etc? OR is it "Recommended" to sort of increase your chances/improve your application?</p>

<p>I was thinking it was the first, and simply recommended in a way to let a student know things will be easier and stuff in their future classes.</p>

<p>"Earn at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (3.5 for Biological Sciences)"</p>

<p>The 3.5 GPA is for Bio Science, wouldn't "Biology and Society" be different? Think I asked last time and they said it was different, not sure.</p>

<p>Also, "These agreements stipulate that students who attend an agreement institution, who are pursuing their AA/AS/AAS degree, and meet the following transfer criteria are guaranteed admission." I'm guessing I can't choose to go to one of their colleges as "Undeclared", right?</p>

<p>ADad- My highest objective would be to not only get a good GPA, but get in excellent EC's, participate in a good amount of clubs, etc., and just basically try to strengthen my application as a whole. If it wouldn't work out, I would probably wait another year and try to transfer in, or look at other choices.</p>

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<p>I am wondering what your single most important objective is. In other words, is being admitted to CALS is your single most important objective? If yes, then wouldn't you want your next step to be whatever gives you the best chance of reaching that objective (even if you don't end up in your preferred major)? </p>

<p>From that perspective, a community college with a guaranteed admissions program looks attractive. Wouldn't you at least want some actual data or further investigation of the likelihood of being able to transfer to CALS from a non-guaranteed school?</p>

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<p>As a teacher at NCC (OP knows who we are), I can say that our transfer rate is excellent. However, transferring is easier if you actually finish the AA degree, which is 66 credits, so it's a big commitment.</p>

<p>Cornell might not transfer in all of Farmingdale's credits.</p>

<p>And if you didn't apply for guaranteed transfer (I know kids who did and then went) you can't count on it.</p>

<p>Make sure you look at the situation from all angles. What if you are not accepted to Cornell? Where would you rather be? </p>

<p>And there are other options as well. NYU takes many, many transfers from CC's (special program, almost automatic) and so does Columbia's School of General Studies.</p>

<p>I know you are in love with this one program, and it is an excellent program, but it is just packaging. There are many other programs that would allow you to put together a similar array of courses to learn the same thing, just without the title.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>Micny123 you should check out the Cornell link under schools on this site if you haven't yet. There is a thread about GT and you might get additional info from the posters there about their experiences with this process.</p>

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<p>Alright, so I'm going to send in applications to two SUNY's they have agreements with, and Farmingdale. I'll decide from there on after I guess, but I'm sending in a deposit to a school I've been accepted to, maybe Penn State/Buffalo.</p>

<p>Coskat- Can you link me to the thread/topic you're talking about? I probably read that thread under colleges (Cornell University), but maybe the one you're talking about is different.</p>

<p>Mythmom- Yeah, I need to look at this from all angles, which is what I've been trying to do =) This is Cornell's Transfer-Credit policy:
CALS</a> Admissions: Transfer Credit Policies</p>

<p>So I'm guessing regardless of which college you attend, they transfer the credits over as long as it doesn't go against that policy in the link.</p>

<p>I never really knew about the NYU/Columbia stuff, I might look into that also, but as of now I'm really trying to focus on this one thing :P I've gotten over the beginning stages, now I need to figure out things about the Transfer-Credit policy, and the "Requirements" for each major, because I don't want to simply attend a certain school, and end up not meeting requirements because I didn't take a certain class for the major.</p>