<p>According to Cornell</a> Engineering: Choosing a Major it says
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Students must be accepted into an Engineering major (i.e., affiliate) prior to the start of their fifth semester of enrollment (i.e., beginning of junior year for most students). Students who are not successfully affiliated by this time are withdrawn from the College and often times the University, as well.
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<p>So... does this mean if I don't make a specfic declaration by end of sophomore year, I'll get kicked out of school? I'm pretty interested in biological, but would like to keep my options open to the very last possible minute. It's not a matter of keeping good grades I'm worried about, more like what I want to specialize in for sure. At the rate I'm going, I'll have fulfilled most of the requirements for all majors, but nothing specific; all my math, FWS, liberal studies, physics, some chem and bio etc. Can anybody clarify what the policy is?</p>
<p>You have to declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. You can pick a specialization for some majors and take certain classes, but that’s all I can tell you.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll rephrase what I said. If I absolutely had to choose one, in the scenario I mentioned that if I don’t and I get kicked out, I’d probably choose biological engineering. I’m just wondering if they make exceptions to those who are indecisive (like me lol) and give us more time to select one. Most of the courses I’m signed up are the requirements that overlap with every other engineering major, so I wouldn’t necessarily be behind in terms of graduating on time, just will be slightly late in affiliating.</p>
<p>To apply for major affiliating in biological, I have to take BEE 2510/2600, which is offered in fall only. I’m trying to decide if I should keep it or replace with another general engineering class that will satisfy all majors.</p>
<p>I have a similar question but the exact opposite.
Having the AP and transfer credits, I’m taking a core ORIE course this coming fall (ORIE 3300), and was wondering if they would accept affiliation early? (i haven’t met all the requirements yet but would by the end of first year)</p>
<p>As a practical matter, you’re going to need to know your major by then, so that you can take the courses needed to graduate. If you subsequently change your mind, they will probably work something out (though it may require more time to graduate)</p>
<p>There are no benefits of affiliating early. The entire process consists of you signing a piece of paper and submitting it. It helps the administration catch stragglers who may somehow have completely ignored the curriculum, and to assign you to a different “more related” advisor. There’s really nothing stopping you from meeting up with professors before you affiliate either so again, there aren’t any significant benefits of affiliating early.
I’m pretty sure they won’t reject you if you affiliate early though…</p>