Exploring your interests

Ezra Cornell’s famous principle statement of “any person…any study” can be realized in infinite ways during your time at Cornell, and among those is the opportunity to pursue a minor in another school. While students cannot double major across schools, you are welcome (and encouraged!) to minor across schools. As a sophomore currently pursuing a major in Cognitive Science in the College of Arts and Sciences, I’m also planning to complete a minor in Health Policy from the Brooks School of Public Policy, an experience that has been academically enriching and personally rewarding thus far. With over a hundred minors open to students of all grades, you have flexibility and independence to explore your interests beyond your major. To get started, I would recommend visiting the websites of each undergraduate college, browsing the minors offered, and taking note of which pique your interest!

Seek guidance

Pursuing a minor in a different college can present a lot of logistical challenges, with each college having its own requirements for each minor it offers, and many classes have specific enrollment policies. In my experience choosing health policy classes, for instance, lots of the upper-level classes have specific prerequisites that must be fulfilled, have enrollment priority given to students in the Brooks school, or are only open for enrollment to Brooks students. Navigating all of the scheduling and requirements for your minor can be overwhelming, especially on top of planning classes for your major, college distribution requirements, (and pre-med coursework, in my case). I would recommend seeking guidance from both your college advisor and an advisor for the program your minor falls under. These experienced advisors, as well as the advice of upperclassmen peers, can help to break down what requirements you need to complete, when you need to complete them, and help you plan for the courses you need!

Take advantage of new opportunities

Pursuing my minor in Health Policy in addition to my major in Cognitive Science has been a very fulfilling endeavor for me so far. Taking engaging new classes (including one on public policy in an aging society right now!) has allowed me to broaden the breadth of my academic pursuits, and meet new people with interests, hobbies, and backgrounds different from my own. I would encourage any student to take advantage of the opportunity and pursue any and all of your diverse interests through a minor, or just by taking new classes!