<p>I’m apply ED this fall for enironmental engineering, and I don’t know whether to apply to cals or CoE. I like math and the life sciences. Where would I have the most chance?
Gpa: 3.97
Act: 33
Senior year schedule:
Multivariable calc
Ap bio
Ap physics
English
Ap German
Orch</p>
<p>ECs:
Irish dance-competed nationally and internationally.
FIRST robotics
Mock trial
Econ team (just 9th grade)
Music: cello playing since kindergarten
Volunteerig: with irish dance, and at our state fairs Eco experience. </p>
<p>I speak russian fluently also, it that matters. </p>
<p>Do you think I have a better chance at a certain school? Also, would not being from NY hurt my chances at cals? And does cals only care about major related ECs, or do meaningful hobbies count too?</p>
<p>My understanding is CALS is looking for very good fits. For instance I am considering applying for Animal Sciences. I grew up on a family farm. Started a small business that provides labor to local farmers to put up hay, rebuild hay wagons and minor building repairs. I have 5 years in science including AP Bio. I shadowed a large animal Vet. My parents do business with Cornell Vet school. I use to breed and show beef cattle in 4H. I assist my parents in breeding, raising foals, yearling prep and sales of horses. None of this would matter if I applied for philosophy or English I suppose. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks!
Do you think my robotics and volunteering, and a good essay would be enough for cals? It’s kind of hard to find ECs in engineering…</p>
<p>Your ECs don’t have to match your major.
Sure, it may be a plus at times, but I honestly don’t think it matters.</p>
<p>For my ECs, I just had Orchestra and that literally was it.
I still got into A&S at Cornell despite the fact that I had no ECs and a really poorly-written, unrevised essay.
Of course, I had a 2400 on my SATs and a near perfect GPA, so the other factors may not have mattered as much.</p>
<p>I agree finding EC’s for engineering is hard. I also am considering applying to a couple engineering schools. I have been looking through the old posts in the engineering section for ideas. Math clubs and competitions are a plus. I also read about one poster who got to shadow a highway bridge engineer for a week during construction of a bridge (cool huh?). Anyway it’s never too late to add an EC or two! Now I got to go clean up the mess I made after throwing up while reading the posts from what I call CCPP (CC perfect people) with their perfect scores and perfect lives ;).</p>
<p>^haha! If you read the prompt carefully, it states you can write about your “interest” in engineering. That’s what my son did. He had some projects in school that led him to engineering - they weren’t EC’s, they were part of the curriculum. So much of your life up until now has led you to this decision. Your thoughts, your academic strengths. Look back over those and find what has influenced you. They’re looking for REAL PEOPLE at Cornell with real interests. They want to see how well you’ve thought this through. Make a case!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I just heard cals was really “fit” oriented, but I feel that if I can portray my interest in the environment and helping it, that would help.</p>
<p>And I’m also thinking of the science of earth systems major, ECs there are hard to find also, but I spend a lot of time at museums learning about earth science.</p>