I have applied to Cornell Engineering as a transfer.
They have a list of recommended courses for my major (CS):
https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/departments/admissions/Transfer/CS Course Descriptions180.docx
It says:
“RECOMMENDED COURSEWORK FOR SOPHOMORE STANDING”
Calculus 2, Multivariable Calculus and 3 Science courses are not a part of the CS program at my Community College, and I can only take the courses that are a part of my major because I depend heavily on financial aid (Pell grant does not cover a-la-carte coursework).
Am I screwed for not having some of the courses from that list?
I am a 1st generation student and an immigrant, so I am figuring stuff on my own; advising at my CC is not very helpful. I was under the impression that “recommended” meant “nice to have but not a big deal if you don’t have it”. Some people say it is actually a big deal not to have “recommended” coursework. 
I’d like to hear from more people, especially Cornell students/parents.
Should I talk to the Admissions about it?
How bad is it to miss a few classes from the list of the recommended coursework?
Thanks…
@OwlOfAthena Hi, I transferred to Cornell Engineering last year and wanted to give you some information. I transferred as a junior and remember filling out the course descriptions. BTW I applied to Computer Engineering so I think it will be similar to Computer Science.
I understand your situation of not being able to take the courses due to financial aid issues but those recommended coursework are actually really important in the application process. Normally, Cornell Engineering applicants are more competitive than other schools such as CALS ,IRL so I think many students will have most of the recommended courseworks maybe 1 or 2 missing? I applied with a 3.8 GPA from a community college and had a friend with a 4.0 GPA who also applied as well. However he got rejected and I got accepted, he was missing Chemistry, Multivariable Calculus and a Physics course. On the other hand I was only missing a chemistry course.
Transferring to the Engineering School especially CS is very tough, I think it will be ±5 students so it is basically a lottery for everyone so do not lose your hopes!
Also I don’t really recommend talking to admissions because there is nothing they could do for you and also I think the decisions are probably already made.
If you have any more questions let me know!
If you have some more “humanities courses” under your belt, I might consider applying to Cornell Arts and Sciences for CS unless its too late.
@HolyCheeseballs
I’ve already applied. 
Is it possible to ask them to switch?
@themadonion
Do you think it would help to send them an updated course list indicating that I would take Physics and Calc 2 this Summer?
I don’t think I would be allowed to take multivariable Calc without having taken Calc 2 first.
I’ve registered to take the missing 3 courses over this summer, which I told them about. Hopefully, it helps my case. CS is very competitive though, so I am not getting my hopes up.
It sucks being an immigrant and a first-gen student: I am not versed in this double-speak: recommended but required. Yet another barrier for the underprivileged–this time a semantic one.
Oh well, I shall strive to do great things wherever I’ll end up. In a way, a rejection is a very beneficial pill against self-complacency.
P.S. Decisions will start rolling out on Tuesday.