<p>I will be applying to the College of Engineering to study Engineering Physics (with a specialization in Nuclear Physics). If I were to select an alternate school on the application, it would be the College of Arts and Sciences to study Physics.
Here is the problem: both would require an essay, and both have similar prompts, so my responses would in effect be identical (I want to study Nuclear Engineering so that I can work in nuclear fusion; I want to study Physics so that I can work in nuclear fusion.)
Is it even worth trying to apply to both? I am much more interested in the COE, because they have the specialization in nuclear.
The advantage to applying to the College of Arts and Sciences would be as a back-up plan. If I should apply, any suggestions on what to do about the essays?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Another thing you can do is to apply to CoE, your first choice, then transfer, if you decide you want to, to Arts and Sciences after the first semester, which is pretty easy to do if you have a good GPA and already took a few classes in your intended major.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. To add on, does applying via the Primary/Alternate Admissions option give make my application more appealing?</p>
<p>Bump bump.</p>
<p>Not sure, I applied only to the college engineering, the alternate choice didnt even cross my mind</p>
<p>My understanding based on CAS info session last summer is that primary school will see your entire application file (including alternate school essay)… and that the application will only be forwarded to the alternate school IF the primary school would be denying admission AND the primary school’s admissions committee thinks the alternate school would potentially be a better fit. There’s a good chance the alternate school won’t ever see it, or that they might see it somewhat late in the admissions cycle. There seems to be a lot of emphasis on finding the right fit… doesn’t seem like having an alternate school would necessarily make your app more appealing, but that it’d depend on what’s attractive to you about each school and how strongly you feel that one or the other is a clearer choice for you. If it’s a relatively close call, maybe good to include the alternate and make it clear in your supplemental essays why you would love to be at either/each. If one is much more appealing to you and seems a much clearer fit – maybe not so helpful to include the alternate. . .</p>
<p>Thank you. I think COE is definitely a better fit for me because of the specialization in nuclear engineering. A physics major would still fit the bill for what I want to do as a career, but the specialization is nice. So if I were to apply to CAS it would be simply as a safety net. Opinions?
Also, if I were to do this, how? I mean, the essays would be exactly the same except for the conclusion.
COE: Nuclear fusion blah blah blah. Here’s how the COE will help me achieve this.
CAS: Nuclear fusion blah blah blah. Here’s how the Physics Department will help me achieve this.</p>
<p>Bump bump.</p>