Answers for the Freshman class. - Page 2

jakeiscool · 06-22-2009, 01:18 PM

hey i have sum qs

is cornell engineering good for "pre-med"? are the other schools within cornell better for "pre-med"
do alot of cornell engineering students get into med school? what do they usually major in? how does cornell engineering compare with columbia seas for "pre-med"?

holmespoint · 06-22-2009, 01:46 PM

the class is classics 2603 Initiation to Greek Culture

Ambassador12 · 06-22-2009, 05:24 PM

Hey ricey.

I transfered internally so I know all about it. Generally, if you want to transfer you apply for the following semester.

I would suggest you meet with the internal transfer division (IDT). They will explain to you all the options and what arts and sciences would expect from you. There are two options to transfer. One is direct transfer and the other is sponsorship. Direct occurs when you have credits taken is the other college and they will accept you directly. Sponsorship occurs when you havent taken credits in the other school yet, but want to transfer. With the second option they expect you maintain a certain GPA and take the proper classes to show you have an interest in this new school.

Ricey, if you are a freshman I don't know if they would let you switch schools right away. Since part of the reason you were accepted was your interest in engineering, you will now have to show them why that has changed.

The appilcation to transfer is a little different for each college, but it is short with short little "essays." You will also have to meet for a mini "interview" with the new college so you can talk about the change. They make it a little harder to transfer between schools (than just changing your major within one college) because they want to make sure you will really be interested and won't change your college every semester.

Meet with your advisor as soon as your can and they point you in the right direction. If you plan on transfering your also going to want to pick the correct classes to do so. This can as be figured out with your advisor.

Good Luck!

Ambassador12 · 06-22-2009, 05:30 PM

Hey jakeiscool.

A ton of people are pre-med at Cornell. It really does not matter what you major in. I know people who major in English and are still pre-med. Many engineers will also be pre-med and they also range in majors. Some engineering requirements overlap with pre-med requirements so that can also be helpful. Basically, all pre-meds will take all the courses (mostly sciences) that med schools will look for when you apply.

Cornell has a really great reputation and med schools will like to see that you did well in your courses here. I do not have the background to compare it to other schools, but students that did start at Cornell have continued on to great medical schools.

jakeiscool · 06-22-2009, 05:39 PM

thanks ambassador!

ricey · 06-22-2009, 06:09 PM

Thank you so much ambassador! I really hope my transition to arts and sci will be somewhat smooth.
Another question I had was, do I have to take a freshman seminar writing class for both semesters of my freshman year? Meaning what if you passed the AP Eng with a 5?
I know they say it depends on the school, but I wanted to know if you could tell me personally your experience.

Also, going back to my whole engineering dilemma: the courses they require freshman engineering students to take is rather structured:

The majority of first-year engineering students will take the following courses (totaling 16-17 credits):

Engineering Math (4 crs)
Science (Chemistry *or* Physics; based on academic interest and advanced placement credit) (4 crs)
Intro to Computer Programming *or* Intro to Engineering (ENGRI) (3 crs)
First-Year Engineering Seminar (ENGRG 1050) (1 cr)
First-Year Writing Seminar (3 crs)
Physical Education (1 cr)
Academic Excellence Workshops (optional) (1 cr each)

Do you think I could manage to take an additional language course, along with the previously mentioned classes? Would I have to pay extra tuition costs? Do you hink the workload is manageable?

jakeiscool · 06-22-2009, 10:11 PM

how would you rate your dorms? 1-10 (1 worst 10 best)
safety
spaciousness
view
noise level (1 loud 10 quiet)
comfort

Ambassador12 · 06-23-2009, 01:51 PM

Hey homespoint.

All I can find about that class is the description. If you are interested about that class I would contact the department and they should be able to tell you more information. There are just certain classes you need permission for to take because space will be limited.

Here is the description:
Initiation to Greek Culture
Limited to 18 students. Intended especially for first-year students. Students must apply in writing to chair, Department of Classics, 120 Goldwin Smith Hall. Knowledge of Greek or Latin is not necessary, since all texts are in translation. What is necessary is the willingness to participate in three one-hour seminars each week and also a supplementary one- or twohour session, during which the class participates in workshops with specially invited guests. This course covers a wide range of Greek literary and philosophical works as well as modern critical and philosophical writings on the Greeks. The focus throughout is on the status of language, the many forms of discourse that appear in the literature, and the attempts the Greeks themselves made to overcome the perceived inadequacies and difficulties inherent in language as the medium of poetry and philosophy. The course inquires into the development of philosophy in the context of a culture infused with traditional, mythological accounts of the cosmos. It asks how poetic forms such as tragedy responded to and made an accommodation with philosophical discourse while creating an intense emotional effect on the audience; how the first historians, using literary and philosophical discourse, created space for their own inquiry; and discusses how these issues persist and are formulated in our own thinking.

The department information:
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm
Telephone:
(607) 255-3354
(607) 255-7471
Fax:
(607) 254-8899
E-mail:kn59@cornell.edu

Good luck!

Ambassador12 · 06-23-2009, 02:08 PM

Hey ricey.

Generally yes (as long as you are in the college of engineering) you have to take two writting seminars. If you got a 5 on one or both of the AP English you only have to take one seminar. You cannot get out of both even if you did well on both of the AP English. You are not acutally required to take these seminars your first two semesters, but if is strongly encouraged so you get your basic writting courses out of the way. You really don't want to be a senior and still have to take requirements like this.

As for your other classes...if you have credit for any of the required courses you can either begin taking higher level courses or take electives. If you don't, engineering will encourage you to take all those general courses you mentioned above. If you do this you can take addtional courses. However, you have to remember you don't want to kill yourself with a taking a ton of credits your first semester. Languages can sometimes be very time consuming so you're really going to have to plan your time wisely. For your first semester I would probably recommend that you shouldn't take more than 18 credits. You just want to have time to adjust to college and not have too heavy of a workload. There are no additional fees if you want to take extra courses both in your college or other colleges. However, if you do want to take more than a certain amount of credits you will have to get approval from your advisor.

Ricey, since your also considering transfering it wouldn't hurt you to take courses outside your college. In order to remain in good standing within engineering you are required to take two math, science, or engineering courses. If your are trying to take the basic minimum in engineering this would be it. Again I strongly encourage you to meet with your advisor right away to figure out your options in terms of choosing classes and transfering.

Ambassador12 · 06-23-2009, 02:09 PM

Hey jakeiscool.

Is there a specific dorm you are curious about? All the dorms vary a little bit and each have there positive and negative aspects.

exitheuxa · 06-23-2009, 03:36 PM

Are there any research opportunities available to freshman? (especially for over the summer after freshman year)

Ambassador12 · 06-23-2009, 04:26 PM

Hey exitheuxa.

There are research opportunities for freshman and many do get involved over the summer. I have several friends right now doing research. Some stayed at Cornell for the summer to do so while others are all around the world.

Keep your ears open for research you might be interested. Some professors enjoy working with undergraduates to research. You can also talk to your advisor or professors who can help you find something you might be interested in!

Enjoy.

jakeiscool · 06-23-2009, 07:11 PM

hey ambassador,
umm i dont know any of them actually lol
i guess not the "girls only" dorm
if you could tell me about the different dorms, that would be great! and also how the college determines who gets what dorm
thanks!

ricey · 06-23-2009, 11:15 PM

awesome thanks ambassador!

exitheuxa · 06-23-2009, 11:32 PM

thanks for the information!