<p>I was accepted to Cornell CAS through HEOP. I'm wondering if I'll be able to keep up with the academic rigor considering my school doesn't offer any honors or AP classes. I have a 4.0 GPA but my highschool is extremely easy to pass. I'm planning on double majoring in English and Political Science; so basically a liberal arts education. Will it be too difficult to adjust to Cornell's course load?</p>
<p>There will probably be an adjustment period but if they accepted you I’m sure they think you can handle it. Good luck!</p>
<p>Cornell is challenging for most students. I would recommend for you to go as many office hours as possible, especially in the beginning. Both English and Political Science course grading can be kind of subjective, it is best to try to figure out what your professor/TA are looking for. I think at Cornell Political Science is Government. I believe Government is considered to be a more difficult major. You probably shouldn’t take too many courses the first semester while you are adjusting to your new environment.</p>
<p>I’m not going to sugar coat it and say having no honors/APs isn’t a disadvantage. It is, unless you are truly underestimating your school. That said, you should get used to the pace pretty quickly. Don’t overload yourself your first semester and focus first on building solid study habits, rather than unnecessarily stressing about getting a super high GPA. Do your best. Cornell admitted you (over many other qualified people) because they think you can succeed. Prove them right! The general rule is for every credit hour, you should be spending 2 outside class, so broadly try to plan for that (individual classes usually deviate, but as an overall rule, it’s not terrible).</p>
<p>I can’t speak to English, but Government isn’t particularly challenging, although perhaps moreso than other liberal arts majors (really depends on your individual strengths as to what majors are hard/easy). That’s not to say Government is easy either. It’s very hard to do poorly (I define as under a B-) if you put in the work. That said, A’s in Government aren’t “easy”. B+'s/A-'s are not all that overwhelming to earn.</p>
<p>At least being in HEOP will give you some extra help and counseling so that you are guided the right way to graduation.</p>
<p>^^
You won’t get under a B- in a Government class if you’re doing the work, but it’s hard to get a solid ‘A’. I was talking to a TA today and he deliberately deflates grades to keep no more than 40% of the class from getting an A- or higher.</p>
<p>I’m kinda late with the reply but thanks for all the comments. They’re all very helpful. My college counselor recommends me going to Colgate since it might be easier to adjust to but I haven’t made any decisions yet. I’m pretty hardworking and a fast learner so maybe I’m over thinking the academics of Cornell but I still have about 2 weeks before I have to commit to a college.</p>
<p>If you do your best, you will be fine. It is always better to challenge yourself and since you were accepted here, Cornell probably thinks you can do it.</p>
<p>I went to Colgate many years ago. It is a great liberal arts school with strong alumni network. Political science, math, physics, and many liberal arts majors are very strong. The campus is also beautiful. Having said that, it is a very small town/school compared to Cornell. The student body also tends to be more homogeneous, think prep school with turn up collars. The town has one stop light and still only has one movie theater. Cornell is Colgate on steroids, everything is bigger and more. There is more diversity, may it be race or social economic. </p>
<p>Small liberal arts school is great for the first two years because it is a nice transition from high school to college, but it maybe stifling later on as a student grows socially/academically. It was the case for me. I loved to be able to walk into a party or bar and knew everyone there, but I was ready to leave by the time I was a senior. It wasn’t as much of the case for my older daughter who graduated from Cornell few years ago. She was very involved with the Greek life first few years, but later on she got involved with the student government and other clubs at Cornell. When she was a senior, she said she wished she had more time to take additional classes she didn’t have time for.</p>
<p>I hope you will get a chance to visit both Colgate and Cornell. They are great schools, but they are very different. I think it gets down to “fit” for you, where you would feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for taking the time to comment. You have no idea how comforting your words are. Oldfort, I found your reply especially helpful in getting an idea of what the two colleges are like. Anyway, I have about two weeks until my deposit is due but hopefully, I’ll make the right decision.</p>
<p>OP, I just saw your post and when you mentioned Cornell and Colgate, I KNEW exactly who would provide you with awesome information. That person is Oldfort. You have received great info.</p>
<p>I wish you the best and wherever you go, just take confidence along with good study habits and you will do well!!</p>
<p>You will bloom wherever you plant, very cliche, I know. If you do go to Colgate, you must do one of their study abroad, have a drink at the Jug, slide down The Hill on dining hall trays, go to a concert at the Chapel, go to the movie theater on your first date and have everyone know about it.</p>
<p>Best of luck with your decision.</p>