A change of plans - is it dumb to apply to 1 school and drop the rest?

Transfer Students
1

<p>My original plan was to apply to: McGill, Reed, Barnard, USC, U. Chicago, and Middlebury. I chose these schools based on how strong their foreign language, linguistics, and philosophy departments were, how challenging the school was, the urban location (with the exception of Middlebury), and the apparently passionate student body. I've already written my transfer app and finished my application to McGill and USC, and I'm almost done with U. Chicago. I chose such a huge range in terms of college vs. university and all over the map because I'm not sure what I want to do exactly. Or I wasn't. </p>

<p>But yesterday, I was recommended to check out Cornell's CALS major - International Agriculture and Rural Development. It literally could not be more perfect for me. Feeling like I've finally found the perfect course of study for my interests (language, human rights, food ethics, working internationally), I don't even know if it's worth applying to these more competitive schools. I mean, I've already sent my application to McGill, but I feel like I could definitely get into Cornell's program. I'm already in the SUNY system, and their acceptance rate for that particular college is >40%. I'm very competitive academically - have a 2170 SAT, 33 ACT, and a 4.0. My classes next semester are 4 300 level's and 2 additional classes. Both my coursework next semester and my extracurriculars relate to this major - 2 Spanish classes, Latin America and World Commodities, for example. I've been volunteering with Oxfam for about a year, have petitioned against things like corn ethanol subsidies, had an internship with a political party, have worked with Food Not Bombs, have been to Costa Rica which made me feel like my ideal work location was South America (and I'm so in love with Spanish), etc etc. I can't imagine a situation where I wouldn't be accepted to this school, honestly. I think I know what I want to do, but I want opinions from other people. Validation or contradiction - snap me out of my illusions or tell me this is the best route for me, or something in between. I had already written my transfer essay but would willingly delete it and start over and focus JUST on Cornell's program. Currently, it's a lot about how I want a liberal arts basis and such (if someone wants to read it, i'll pm it to you), and it doesn't fit Cornell perfectly. Yeah, so like I said, I'm just looking for opinions on whether you think it's wise for me to just drop all my other applications for this school, and if you see any potential problems (i mean, I know anything can happen).</p>

2

<p>It is Ok to drop the other applications if you are certain that you can afford CALS, and if you are almost positive that you can get in. Sometimes people do fall in love with the safest school!</p>

<p>If you don’t want to stay where you are, have doubts about affordability, etc. then you need to cast a broader net. I’d suggest looking at other Ag. Schools for programs similar to the one you like at Cornell CALS. That is probably the oldest and best known, but there are others.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>It looks like Cornell gives really great aid, and my tuition would be about $17,000 less as a state resident in the CALS program. I think this may be perfect.</p>

4

<p>I think you definitely have a good shot given your scores and passion (assuming that translates into a very strong essay), but I think it’s a mistake to assume that you’re going to get in. The CALS acceptance rate includes GTs (the contract colleges give a lot of GTs), I believe the real acceptance rate is something like 15%. I would definitely apply to Cornell and focus on it as your first choice, but I think you should still apply to other schools. Good luck, I hope you get in.</p>

5

<p>What are GTs? I don’t think I’ll drop all the applications but might narrow it down. Would anyone mind reading my transfer essay and see if it’ll still work with this Cornell addition? I think it could, but I don’t want it to be a stretch.</p>

6

<p>Nevermind, I see that it’s guaranteed transfer…well, that sucks that I didn’t go to community college now. Heh.</p>

7

<p>I’ll take a look at it if you want.</p>

8

<p>Thank you. I just PM’d it to you. Could you let me know if you think it needs to be tweaked due to this Cornell addition?</p>