Physics CAS vs. Engineering, in terms of co/extra-curricular activites

<p>I'm a rising HS junior, so I have plenty of time to figure this out, but I'm very interested in Cornell from what I've seen so far.</p>

<p>I'm really interested in physics and have had a fair amount of experience with it, and at least right now (that may change) I want to be a physics major. I've also been involved in FIRST Robotics all of high school, and other engineering & robotics, amateur rocketry etc. things before that.</p>

<p>I think I'd prefer applying to CAS, not engineering (I do know about A&EP, it doesn't seem like it's for me though, I really like the theoretical aspects, QM, relativity, etc.) I also like humanities areas, especially languages (Arabic, Chinese, or French--I'm studying Chinese now) and certain areas in history, so in that respect to CAS seems like a better fit. </p>

<p>However, in looking at the extra/co-curricular things the engineering school offers, especially the ASTRO team that does amateur rocketry, the group doing the Snake Arm project in robotics, DARPA, etc., I'd really like to get involved in some of those groups.</p>

<p>Would it still be possible to participate in those activities if I were a physics major in CAS? I'd be wiling to apply to Engineering for EP if it wouldn't be possible, but if I went that route I think I'd miss some of the physics and non-technical opportunities.</p>

<p>Thanks all.</p>

<p>This is a very sophisticated and intelligent question -- and it's not the sort of thing that you could easily find out by reading the Cornell Web site (which you have obviously already explored in great detail).</p>

<p>Why not fix the typos in your post and e-mail the same message to the Cornell Undergraduate Admissions office? See what they say.</p>

<p>I took some tours of some of these project teams when the school started. My impression was that they would take anyone who they thought could contribute to the team. I know that some of those teams even have business/marketing type majors to do those types of jobs. I'll bet that if you have sufficient background, you can easily get involved.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info, towerpumpkin, that was my feeling. I'll also do as Marian suggested and contact Ugrad admissions about it--would they be the best people to talk to, though? It's not about admissions stuff, exactly.</p>

<p>Admissions will forward your mail to Engineering Advising, and they'll answer your question or you could directly mail Engineering advising.</p>

<p>You could always email somebody from the project teams.</p>

<p>Okay, done, I ended up emailing admissions. Thanks guys.</p>

<p>Groups like ASTRO don't really care about your major as much as what you are capable of doing. As long as you take enough technical classes to keep up with the demands of whatever you have to do, you should be fine.</p>