Cornel AEM vs CAS Economics?

mikeyc765
Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:40:58 +0000

I think CAS and AEM are about equal is acceptance rates, certainly not drastically different. I’m a current economics major in CAS. Economics and AEM are fairly different programs. Economics is economics and AEM is business. Business and economics are pretty different areas of study. Not that I can say first-hand, but I think a pretty fair analogy would be economics is to AEM as physics is to applied engineering physics (that may or may not help you). Economics is more theoretical, teaching how businesses interact in an economy while business teaches you how to manage and run a business (Yes, that is very gross over-simplification). Economics and business do have some overlap, but overall, you’ll be getting a pretty different learning experience.

Just keep in mind that CAS emphasizes a more diverse education. With economics, given there is only an 8 course requirement, you will likely double major, or have a minor. I would look at the Cornell Courses of Study (http://www.cornell.edu/academics/docs/course-of-study-2008-09.pdf). Look at the different requirements for each college and read a few descriptions of AEM and economics courses to see what interests you more. If graduate school is something you are serious about, economics is probably a better choice, but what’s more important is making sure you are in the program which interests you. Also keep in mind that economics is generally considered more difficult than AEM.