FAQsWe understand that you are faced with many questions and hope that the following frequently asked questions and answers will help you as you make your decisions about the college search process.
How would you distinguish Human Ecology from a liberal arts education?
We encourage you to take some time to review our curriculum as outlined by each department. This will help you further understand the difference between a Human Ecology education and a liberal arts education. Can Human Ecology students take courses in other schools and colleges at Cornell? Absolutely! In fact, taking courses across the colleges at Cornell University is a required part of the curriculum. Please visit the individual department’s websites for more information about curricular requirements. How can I become involved in undergraduate research? There are a number of ways to become involved in research as an undergraduate. Some students approach faculty members who are currently pursuing research. Other students find mentors and organize more individualized research projects. Cornell University also offers the Cornell Presidential Research Scholars program, which is awarded during the application process. Be sure to write about your interest in pursuing research at the undergraduate level on your application. What are the advantages of a Human Ecology education? Human Ecology provides its students with a unique opportunity to explore their interests in an interdisciplinary way through a variety of perspectives. Our programs are organized around social issues instead of disciplines, which allows our students to pursue their interests in a meaningful way.
Do Human Ecology students live together in the dorms? All first-year students live on North Campus. Human Ecology students live, eat, study, take classes, and socialize with students from all of the colleges at Cornell University. Human Ecology students are Cornell University students, and take advantage of all of the resources that come with being a part of an Ivy League institution and campus. Which application form should I use to apply to the College of Human Ecology? Interested first-year applicants must complete the Common Application, including the Cornell University supplement. Be sure to carefully read all instructions and submit all supplemental materials. No other application form is accepted. Interested transfer applicants must complete the Cornell University transfer application. No other application form is accepted. Do I need to submit a portfolio or any other supplemental information if I am applying to the Design and Environmental Analysis or the Textiles and Apparel majors? We have established portfolio guidelines for Interior Design and Textiles and Apparel applicants. An Interior Design Index and a Textiles and Apparel Design Index are required for prospective students applying to those majors. Which Standardized Exams are required for freshman admission and when do the scores need to be sent to the College of Human Ecology? It is important to know that each college at Cornell has its own set of admissions requirements, including standardized exams. Please be sure to carefully review the admissions requirements (PDF). What are my chances of being accepted as a freshman? As a transfer? We often have prospective students who provide us with an overview of their qualifications prior to submitting their application and expect an assessment of their chances of approval. That question is impossible to answer given all of the factors and criteria that are considered before making an admissions decision. Decisions are based on the applicant’s credentials within the context of the applicant pool for that year. Applicant pools differ each year, so unfortunately, we cannot give you an assessment of an applicant’s chances of admission. How do I schedule an interview? We do not conduct interviews in the College of Human Ecology. The Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN), is a group of Cornell University alumni who meet with current first-year applicants to provide them with an opportunity to obtain another perspective about Cornell. This is not an interview and is not evaluative in nature. CAAAN members make the initial contact with applicants; these contacts are not facilitated through the University Admissions Office or through the Human Ecology Admissions Office. CAAAN chapters are not available in all areas, so please do not fret if you do not receive a contact. Students who do not have the opportunity to participate in a CAAAN meeting are not at a disadvantage in the application process. Prospective transfer applicants are encouraged to make an appointment with an Admissions Counselor well in advance of submitting an application to discuss coursework requirements, their interests and the transfer application process. How can I check if Cornell University and the College of Human Ecology have received my SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, transcript, other pieces of my application, etc? Once an applicant submits their application they will receive instructions regarding establishing an online application status account. Please use this account to determine which parts have been received. Please note that we are unable to determine which letters of recommendation have been received and ask that you follow-up with your letter writers. I applied Early Decision and was postponed – what does that mean and what can I do at this point? Early decision applicants who are postponed will be reconsidered in the regular decision pool. We encourage students to continue to focus on their academics, as their midyear grades will be reviewed by the admissions committee. We also encourage students to keep the admissions committee up-to-date regarding any new awards, activities, internships, etc. Please do this through a written letter. Writing a statement regarding your interest in Human Ecology can also be included. We do not recommend that postponed applicants and/or their families visit the College of Human Ecology in hopes that they can speak with an admissions counselor. Individual appointments are not granted. What courses should I complete if I plan to transfer to the College of Human Ecology? The Admissions Committee, in conjunction with faculty from the academic departments, has established a number of coursework requirements (PDF) that represent a curriculum parallel to that of our current students. Prospective transfers are encouraged to make an appointment with an Admissions Counselor well in advance of submitting an application to discuss coursework requirements, their interests and the transfer application process. What does it mean that the College of Human Ecology is a “contract college” and how does that status affect Human Ecology students? The College of Human Ecology, along with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the College of Veterinary Medicine have a unique relationship with New York State. In exchange for New York State subsidies, the contract colleges conduct research, outreach and extension services that serve our surrounding communities, the nation and the world. The tuition rate is also subsidized by New York State for in-state students and to a lesser extent to out-of-state students. This relationship holds consistent with the missions of the College of Human Ecology and does not adversely affect our students, in fact it benefits them. In addition to receiving a Cornell University education, having access to all of the resources available at Cornell and living, working and studying with students from the other contract and privately endowed colleges, our students also are able to help the College fulfill the partnership by participating in undergraduate research. |
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