<p>I am a freshman at a top-ranked LAC and want to transfer to Cornell next fall as a sophomore. I am having a difficult time choosing which of these two colleges within Cornell to apply to. I had a 4.0 unweighted GPA in high school, SAT scores well within the 50% range and recently earned a freshman first semester GPA of 3.9. I am a pre-med student and was hoping to be a chemistry major. My recommendations are very good, as are my extracurriculars. I did a special research program during the end of high school that I think can help drive my application.</p>
<p>With a huge discrepancy in acceptance rates between the schools (CAS having one in the single digits and Human Ecology pushing 40%), I am unsure where to apply. I want to be able to major in chemistry, but find that Human Ecology has more multidisciplinary majors. Is there any flexibility in being able to create your own major within the college? Also, is it true that the school of Human Ecology is viewed as less rigorous? If I could have it any way, I would go to the CAS, but I want to maximize my chances of getting into Cornell. That being said, Human Ecology may be the way to go. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? And do I have a shot at getting into CAS? Thanks!</p>
<p>As you probably know, the Chemistry major is within the College of Arts and Sciences, so if you are set on that major, it’s an easy decision. If not, I would seriously consider the College of Human Ecology. I am a junior in the college and I LOVE IT. The acceptance rate is so high because no one knows about the school! I know so many people here who had never heard of HumEc before they came to Cornell and a lot of them wish they had. The Human Biology, Health, & Society major in HumEc is very popular for pre-med students, but it is possible to be pre-med with any major at Cornell. However, you cannot “make your major.” While we do have very interdisciplinary majors in HumEc, they are set. The flexibility of the smaller college does however allow you to take more classes outside your major and the school (whereas CAS has VERY strict requirements). Human Ecology is certainly not less rigorous than Arts, as most of the classes, especially pre-med ones, have students from almost every college at the school. You definitely have a shot at getting into both colleges, and I believe there is the possibility of applying to two when you send in your application! Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions about Human Ecology!</p>
<p>If you really want to get into Cornell, it would probably be a better idea to apply to HumEc. It has a much higher acceptance rate for transfers. I wouldn’t say it is less academically rigorous; pre-meds in both colleges (HumEc & A&S) take the same courses basically. You can be an HBHS major in HumEc and just take a lot of chem classes on the side. Also, Nutrition involves a lot of chemistry!</p>