<p>I was accepted to the School of Engineering at Cornell. Because of my varied interests, I would also like to pursue an education in the visual arts. I am currently taking AP Studio Art--Drawing and have won statewide art show awards. I was just wondering if I could still complete a double major (in Engineering and Visual Arts) even though I did not send in my art portfolio with my application--I was not sure if I wanted to study art, although now I am positive. Or, is minoring in an academic field an option at Cornell? Advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>You can minor in any field that offers it. If there is no minor...you are certainly welcome to take classes in the department if it is permitted (some classes are only open to students in the particular major).</p>
<p>check out the answer to question #8 from May 10, 2007 on this page:</p>
<p>ah, so what I'm really looking for is the "dual degree" option as opposed to the "double major."</p>
<p>When it comes to the minor, I can't seem to find if they have a minors program in the visual arts! (B.F.A</a>. Concentrations) I mean, they have a "concentrations" program but I have no idea what this is, if it = minor? That too, should I have already sent in my portfolio to qualify for a minor (or in this case, possibly concentration? And finally, if I pursue a minor / concentration whatever it is in the visual arts, do I still acquire the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree? </p>
<p>Thank you for helping - this concept is quite confusing!</p>
<p>As many people on this forum have said, the dual degree option is really not that much of an option. It is an unreasonable amount of work, and I can't think of many advantages to it. That being said, I think you are a person who just has interests that span two colleges, which applies to a lot of people coming to a school like Cornell. In that case, doing engineering with a concentration in Fine Arts would be a good choice. A concentration means something different for each department, but in general it just means that you take more than just a few classes, that you have enough interest to pursue the subject to spend a significant amount of your electives dedicated to it.</p>
<p>But these are all things that you can work out once you get to Cornell. Talk to a few faculty in that department, and see how much time you really want to put into it. Do you want a job that combines engineering and art, or are you just interested?</p>
<p>Yes, declaring a concentration seems to be a good idea -- double majoring requires a lot of work, which, as you said, is a bit unreasonable. </p>
<p>I'm just wondering, though, if I need to send AAP my portfolio just yet? But as you said, I could just wait until I'm at Cornell...</p>
<p>I'm not sure if I want a career in engineering and/or art. I'm just exploring my interests and the possibilities at Cornell. But for now, I'm undecided!</p>
<p>Do the dual degree...it is NOT unreasonable don't let lazy people tell you otherwise...it's not easy but who wants to go to college to have an easy schedule? You'll be challenged and stimulated, and if they are two fields that you really love, trust me, you'll be in Heaven and you'll succeed academically and therefore beyond. Do the dual-degree!!! You'd be surprised how NOT ridiculously hard it is.</p>