should i apply CALS or CAS? and should i apply as Bio major?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I am an NY state resident looking to apply likely ED to Cornell class of 2020. i was looking at CALS as a Bio major looking to concentrate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, but i have read that
A) regardless of your intended concentration-the bio major is near impossible to get into
B) CALS is known to reject people who do not have an extensive background in science (i have a huge social studies record at my high school but less so w science) and i’m worried that’ll work against me.

Obviously i’d want that instate tuition from CALS but do my concerns validate applying to CAS and then switching over, or applying as another CALS major and switching majors, plus which would you suggest that is less competitive?

especially b/c my math SAT will be around 700 and reading around 730

Thanks so much in advance!

2

Hmmm I’m pretty sure you’re right about the biology major being hard to get into. CALS is the one school in the ivies where fit counts for like 50 percent of the decision. How much money in FA are you looking to get? You may get a nice aid package from CAS. Do you have any other interest for a major? Do you wanna do pre-med?

3

Hey! I originally applied ED to the Class of 2018 as a Bio major and also wanted to concentrate in EEB. I’m going to tell you that Bio (both within CAS and CALS) is one of the most competitive majors at Cornell, both to get into and to be a part of.

I would definitely recommend that you apply to CALS, especially since you’re a NYS resident. Demonstrating “fit” usually means having done stuff related to your specific major, and since it’s something you’re interested in, I’m sure your essays and everything will reflect that. Have you looked into the Environmental Science and Sustainability or Animal Science majors? It’s kinda relevant, and you could always take EEB classes on the side as electives.

Best of luck!

4

thanks for the response 0br0123, i would like to keep tuition below 30000 a year, and i wasn’t looking for pre med, but looking to go into a zoologist/wildlife biologist field, but i also may be interested in veterinary school. i was looking at the the Natural Resources major, but i really think that Bio with the EEB concentration is the best for me. also, when you say “fit” you’re talking about being fit for the school right, just clarifying to make sure it isn’t an acronym i’m not familiar with

5

Thanks for the advice Coriander23, i’ll have about 230 hours of community service with shelter animals and volunteering on a nature reserve with plant care and sick animals. also i will be taking AP Bio and AP Environmental Science my senior year, and i’m taking-but not doing particularly great in-AP Physics this year. i also took an earth science honors course, and regular level bio and chem course in 9-10 grades. those three i did very well in. Do you think that would be “fit”?

also, i would definitely look into applying ESS and Animal Science, but i can’t find info on how competitive they are, and i would eventually want to switch over, do you have any advice on that?

thanks again!