<p>I just visited Cornell and REALLY liked the place. I definitely want to apply this fall.</p>
<p>I want to study a combination of economics and environmental issues, and I'm pretty set on that major. So, my question is, should I apply to the Agricultural Sciences school or the Arts and Sciences school? At CALS I would major in Applied Economics with some sort of study in Natural Resources or Science of Natural and Environmental Systems at the same time. At Arts and Sciences, it would be Economics with some study in the Technology and Society (or something like that) department.</p>
<p>Pros for A&S:
- I get to choose my SAT II subjects. CALS recommends an SAT II in math and science. I will be taking Math 2, but I don't want to take one in Physics or Chem so much...I was leaning towards English and US History. A&S lets me do that
- The economics side is more suited to me. It's more of the theory and less of the practice, the "applied" economics</p>
<p>Pros for CALS:
- It's a little easier to get into, which is nice for someone with borderline stats
- The Environment side of the equation blows away what A&S offers...more choice, more flexibility...heck, there's multiple DEPARTMENTS dedicated to Enviro</p>
<p>Particularly directed at Cornell students/prospective students/grads: HELP!</p>
<p>Either school will fit, but I think CALS is a better choice -- the combination of natural resources/environmental science and resource economics and policy in CALS is superb, and really one of the best offerings of its kind in the country. Cornell typically cleans up in Udall Scholarships, which are a prestigious award given by the federal government for outstanding undergraduates interested in environmental issues. </p>
<p>Environmental and resource economics is kind of tucked away in the AEM program, but I think if you will show an interest in that field, as opposed to all of the generic "business" majors, you will really stand out as an applicant.</p>
<p>That said, CAS isn't a bad option either. You could major in economics and minor in environmental studies, science of earth systems, or science and technology studies (STS). STS is actually a very good program at Cornell. </p>
<p>The CAS track is obviously going to be more theoretical and liberal arts with more requirements to fulfill, whereas the CALS track is going to be more practical and applied, but also allows you plenty of distribution credits to explore your interests across the different colleges at Cornell.</p>
<p>So decide if you want more theory or more applied. That should be your decision. And whichever school you apply to, be sure to choose the other one as your alternate. If you interest in this subject matter really comes through, you will have a good shot.</p>
<p>Thanks for the really useful info (especially CayugaRed...that was an impressively helpful answer!) and for taking a side instead of giving me "it's what you make of it."</p>