Ambassador12

Hey Everyone,

I'm a Cornell Student Ambassador for the university and would love to answer any questions you might have about Cornell.

If you've already visited campus you may have seen me at info sessions or cornell days.

Feel free to ask any questions about student life, dorming (I know you all just got you're rooming assignments!), greek life, any of the colleges, about my own personal experiences, or anything you would like to know about Cornell!

I'll try my best to answer everything! Congrats 2013!

sfeely7

I've heard a lot about courses being graded on a curve. Are the majority of classes graded like this? Is there one subject area that you're more likely to find curving?

Ambassador12

Hey sfeely.

This is true. Many of the classes are graded on a curve. If you know anything about a bell curve that is what is generally used. This tends happen in bigger classes. I would say many science and math classes will have curving, but it depends. Many times curving is done because the test are difficult and the scores might be lower than what a normal A, B, or C would be equivalent to.

mike4192

Is there a concert band type thing students can join? Not something you would need to audition for, and not a marching band, just a regular old concert band like the ones in highschool.

If I'm planning on minoring in Aerospace engineering, how soon can I start doing that basically? Like start taking classes in that.

Ambassador12

Hey mike.

There are a some small music groups on campus including a few bands. I'm not exactly sure if you would need to audition for all of them, but I know plently of people who are part of these groups and really enjoy it. Many student also just like playing for fun so I'm sure you could find a group that is more relaxed and is similar to what you did in high school.

As for the engineering minor...You can start taken major/minor engineering specific classes after you get the basics out of the way. These would include your math and science requirements. If you have AP or college credit you might be able to place out of some of these classes. If that is the case you can take these more specific classes even sooner....So the exact semester you take classes will vary from person to person.

If you want to start planning out classes, I would meet will an advisor once your here. They can help you plan out exactly what you need to take and when you have to take it.

Hope that helps!

dean5150

1. i saw somewhere that you can't use transfer credits from another university if they were used to complete a high school graduation requirement. Is this completely true for all cases?

2. Where should i look to figure out which classes i would want to sign up for? this will be in july right? Does anywhere explain in detail what each class includes, and if there are any guidelines as to how many/which ones to take which semester freshman year?

thanks for any help.

Ambassador12

hey dean.

I'm not exactly sure what your transfer credits are from so I'm not completely sure. Cornell gets very specific with what they will and will not accept. The best way to find out is to speak with a college advisor once your on campus. All the colleges are also a little different with what they will accept so this also depends on which college you will be entering.

As for classes...this also varies what college you are enrolled in. Some of the schools will preenroll you in certain classes you are required to take. You will pick PE and freshman writing classes once you are already here. Either way...there is a period called add/drop every semseter (you will get to know this very well) where you can change around classes and times of classes. If your specific school needs you to select classes or anything over the summer they will let you know so don't worry.

I would say freshman generally take 4 or 5 classes their first semester plus PE. If you want to get an idea of what these classes will be refer to your colleges website. Some have suggested schedules for certain majors.

If you let me know what college/major your in I can refer you to the site.
Good Luck!

mike4192

This is a random question you probably wont be able to answer, but anyway, during your time at Cornell, have you seen anyone flying any RC planes/helicopters?

I'm pretty heavily into that now, just wondering if there's anyone sharing the same interest.

Ambassador12

Hey Mike.

I am sorry to report...but I have not witnessed anyone with RC planes or helicopters. However, I would not be suprised if there have been some flying around campus.

jwright

RE: Music programs...

There is no campus band like in many other music schools - your options are the Big Red Marching Band (short, informal audition, but basically nobody is turned away), except you have to march and put up with all of that. Mostly student-run. Or, the CU Wind Ensemble or Wind Symphony, which are more typical concert bands. There is a formal audition, but it is not too difficult to get into Wind Ensemble if you played & were decent in HS.

CUej

@mike

Check out CUAIR

CU Air - Cornell University Autonomous Flight Team

mike4192

Now we're talking.

Too bad I have just about zero experience in any kind of computer programming. Maybe I could still help out somehow.

holmespoint

any info on the Classics class that is by invitation for incoming frosh?

Ambassador12

hey holmespoint.

I'm not exactly sure which class you are refering to (if you give me a course number or name I might me able to find out some more information for you).

However, if classics is something that interests you take a look at some of the course descriptions for the fall 2009 semester:

http://www.arts.cornell.edu/classics/F09Courses.pdf

:-)

ricey

hey
i would like to know what information you can provide on transferring internally from college to college? how long does it take? how soon can it be done? do you need a large amount of recommendations, etc.
I believe that i want to transfer from engineering to arts and sci.