Is my guidance counselor crazy for suggesting Cornell?

@schoolstruggles
Schools of Architecture (which AAP basically is) keep their admission statistics close to the vest. The undergraduate BS in Urban & Regional studies enrolls only about 25-30 students per class year. Again, they don’t publish the program’s acceptance rate but you can assume that being Cornell and being associated with Cornell’s powerhouse architecture program it’s highly selective.

I would think that while your GPA would be an important element in admissions, especially as an indicator of how you would cope with Cornell’s intense academic environment, other factors such as essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, interests and life experience would also figure in the decision. The interview is optional but would be beneficial if you feel comfortable talking about what you could contribute to Cornell’s URS community.

I would strongly encourage you to join one or two of the AAP Zoom Information Sessions to learn what URS is looking for in an applicant.

I’ve read through some of your posts over the past year or two. To say that you’ve considered quite a range of majors and professional programs would be an understatement. :slight_smile: This is not a criticism. High school students often have no idea what the world of work entails or what college level study encompass. Career anxiety often pushes them into decisions that they’re not equipped to make.

To me, the beauty of a liberal arts degree is the ability to explore a range of disciplines. Take some courses in anthropology, geology, sociology etc. and let your interests – and ultimate career path emerge organically. Urban planning, landscape architecture, cognitive science, public health etc. will be there for graduate school.

There’s no reason not to apply to Cornell’s URS program, but at the same time put together a balanced list of matches and safeties as well, even if your major remains “undecided” for a while.

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