<p>Can you choose a second choice college when applying? (I'm applying as a transfer.)</p>
<p>I thought the answer was no, but I wrote a question to the engineering college, and after answering my question, they tacked this statement at the end:</p>
<p>
[quote]
You may also want to choose a second choice college if there is anything else you are interested in. The application deadline for transfers is March 15 so you have a lot of time to decide.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I followed up and asked about this last Friday, but obviously they are a little behind on answering their emails at this busy time.</p>
<p>So, is this for real? Can you choose a backup college?</p>
<p>It will dilute the talent at Cornell. With the second choice option we will have more applicants who are less passionate and with a second chance more of these less passionate people will be accepted. </p>
<p>On the other hand, it could be good. It will certainly bolster the # of applicants and if admissions standards become higher or at least remain the same, the admittance percentage will fall, making Cornell seem more prestigious to College-bound high school students nationwide.</p>
<p>I think your counterargument is more persuasive. </p>
<p>I also think the engineering students who apply and get rejected could add a lot to the school if they were accepted to CAS. I also would suspect that they would end up being higher quality students than those who put CAS as a first choice. (I hope I don't offend anyone with my blatant bias for engineering applicants. :)</p>
<p>NJCCstudent,</p>
<p>Definitely. In fact you are required to choose a second major.</p>
<p>I'm wondering if the admissions person who answered my email confused the second choice major with a second choice college?</p>