Hello, I’m planning on majoring in Computer science and/or Physics. CS is in the college of engineering and Physics is in the college of arts and sciences, so I’m unsure which one I should apply to if I’m intending on doing a double degree. Also, is it even possible to do a double degree in the CoE and CAS? Thanks!
Yes you can graduate with two majors, one from SEAS (computer science) and one from CAS physics.As to which school you should apply to it only depends on which school is more selective for initial admission. Over the last few years SEAS has become more difficult to get into (prob due to the national surge of interest in engineering, tech etc…). So maybe apply to CAS initially. Honestly it won’t make much of a differrence. And it definitely does not make a difference afterwards since both CAS and SEAS have made their majors completely open to each other.
@DyrannosaurusRex, are you still planning to apply ED to Cornell?
@Penn95, I’m not sure whether you can technically double major in physics and computer science, since they are from 2 different schools; but you can definitely do a dual degree with subjects from 2 different schools:
https://www.college.upenn.edu/academic-opportunities/degree-programs/dual-degree
Actually the College of Arts and Sciences and Engineering have agreed to allow students to pursue a traditional ‘double major’ that would not require students to get a dual degree:
https://www.college.upenn.edu/major-options
Also, while the acceptance rate of one school at Penn may be lower than others or higher than others, I wouldn’t consider it easier to gain admissions to one school over the other. Think about what your academic, personal, and professional backgrounds say about you as an applicant and where you want to be in the future. If you are applying to the College but your entire life has been about engineering classes, clubs, and competitions, you may find that your incongruous application doesn’t result in your success.
@renaissancedad Currently, I’m deciding between Penn and Cornell for ED. Penn seems to be more open to double majoring and changing majors whereas Cornell is more restrictive (can only double major within engineering). Although Penn’s engineering is weaker, I do like their urban setting and proximity to home. In all honesty, I would be equally happy at both schools.
^ Overall, Penn is considerably more interdisciplinary and flexible than Cornell. Two schools with very different personalities, in many respects.
@DyrannosaurusRex Of course Penn engineering is weaker in absolute terms than Cornell engineering, but this difference refers mostly to graduate school. At the undergraduate level, the overall quality of the school, the resources per students, class size, career outcomes are rather more important as long as that school has a good department in the field you are interested in (and penn def does have a good engineering school, and in quite a few departments, like bioengineering, robotics, nanotech it is actually top notch). Penn is def more flexible and encourages interdisciplinary study (double majors, double degrees etc).
@Penn95 is exactly right. I posted this on another thread comparing the outcomes of the two schools:
"Yeah the two programs have pretty similar outcomes for students as well. Comparing the career services reports for only Cornell Engineering and only Penn Engineering for the class of 2014:
http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/resources/career_services/students/statistics/upload/2014-COE-Overview.pdf
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/files/SEAS_CPSurvey_2014.pdf
Average Starting Salary:
Cornell: $72, 263
Penn: $75, 003
Top Employers:
Cornell: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Accenture, Workday
Penn: Accenture, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft
Top Grad School Destinations:
Cornell: Information Unavailable
Penn: (in alphabetical order) Caltech, Columbia, Cornell, MIT, Penn, Stanford
Of course Cornell Engineering is much larger than Penn engineering (Cornell graduated 728 students while Penn graduated 363 students), which is always something to keep in mind.
But in general, I think students going to either Penn Engineering or Cornell Engineering are able to find the opportunities on campus and afterwards for which they’re looking. Penn’s starting salary is a little higher but the top five companies at which students are employed are almost identical- the only difference being Workday at Cornell and Goldman at Penn. I think both would provide a pretty outstanding education!"
Typically students who are very focused on engineering will choose Cornell. Students with broader interests with choose Penn. The Penn curriculum is more flexible and accommodating.
Student preference for a city or rural area can also impact fit.
You will get a great education at either one. There is no bad option here.
So with 10 days to go, what did you decide?
At this point you want to make your choice, and run with it decisively. If the choice isn’t clear, then ED probably isn’t a good option.
@renaissancedad I will be applying to Penn ED! I’ve considered both options and settled on applying Penn ED. Thanks for your help throughout this entire process! 
I think the question was, Penn SEAS or CAS?
Ah, I will be applying to SEAS.
No, I meant Penn vs. Cornell. Thanks for the clarification. Given your interdisciplinary interests, it’s a great place for you. Good luck.
Thank you very much again! @renaissancedad