Am I being unrealistic?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I probably shouldn't even be asking this, but I thought I'd give this a shot:</p>

<p>Asian female
first-generation college student
single-parent household
tri-lingual</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 weighted
AP classes taken/are taking:
(AP English, AP US History, AP Literature, AP Government, Spanish Honors)
However, there seems to be a notable trend on my transcript. My GPA has gradually increased over the years, indicating that although my grades weren't too terrific during my freshman year of high school, they have consistently gotten better over time. Perhaps this might be taken into consideration?</p>

<p>I am slightly embarrassed to share my SAT scores; admittedly, they're quite dismal. Make that very dismal. Possibly dismal enough to induce bewilderment amongst the crowd here as to why I am even bothering to apply an Ivy League. Nevertheless, I refuse to let a 4 figure digit dictate the choices that I make. Considering that I had no other resources for SAT prep other than a single sparknotes math prep booklet, my optimism hasn't squashed out on me yet: 700 cr, 550 math, 630 writing. Yes, I am mathematically illiterate.</p>

<p>I am, however, awaiting to take my ACTs. I figure that the only way to redeem myself and recuperate from total SAT annihilation will be through that. My last hope, perhaps. I am aiming for a 32-34.</p>

<p>As for activities:
-4 years of music
- chamber choir, mixed choir, honor choir, women's choir
- self-taught guitarist/pianist, have composed several of my own songs
- art: painting, sketching
- writing: poetry, fiction--have submitted some of my work to poetry/creative writing contests
- have been involved in community service for 4 years (specifically, i am mostly involved with an organization dedicated to serving the elderly). I have taken on several leading positions in the organization such as vice-president and membership chairwoman. I also recently participated in a fundraising event called Relay For Life.
- work experience: paid barista at Starbucks
- 3 years of high school sports: tennis/ track & field, including a year of varsity tennis
- have won three music related awards, a scholar athlete award, as well as a california dragonboat association award. Also enrolled as a CSF member
- 4 year involvement with GATE program</p>

<p>i may not have stratospheric grades nor the most outstanding SAT scores, but I believe that I have immense potential. Call that conviction a product of my naivete, but I think that amidst the jaw-dropping sat score and the decent gpa, there's still a chance?</p>

2

<p>all depends on which college you applied to, your essays, recommendations, ED, etc. </p>

<p>the first-generation college student helps, in addition (less so because you are asian, sorry) to your urm status. if you capitalize on your single-parent, first generation, etc etc situation, that might be really good. the upward grade trend is really good. you seem very well rounded, extracurricularly; i hope that you sent samples of your music and art, that would help. i take it you are not a recruited athlete because you didn't mention it, but if there's any potential there, run with it. (tennis, track, whatever)</p>

<p>basically it's all about offsetting your grades (which i guess are ok, but it depends on your high school) and your math sat. if you can do that with essays, recommendations, and extra stuff, you could have a shot. write extra letters showing your CRAZY interest at cornell, you were born in red and white, etc. i guess take the sat again? maybe if you're deferred, and you get a better score you might have a better chance later. i don't know, just my two cents. good luck!!</p>

<p>ps - i hope that you applied to a small/obscure major...that would really help</p>

3

<p>3.8 W and a sub 1900 SAT score are fairly unimpressive. Those are the primary indicators that Cornell uses to determine if you can handle the college workload.</p>

4

<p>I am planning to major in creative writing (minoring in political science). Is that an obscure enough major?</p>

5

<p>I have no doubt in my mind that I can handle the college workload. I'm simply bored of high school academics -- I just don't think unstimulating curriculum can accurately indicate the level of my competency. I have other reasons as well and could easily spew them out if I had twenty or so fingers to count, but then that'd be lame. However, you're right; I do realize that an SAT score like mine is considerably less-than-mediocre. That, coupled with a lackluster gpa would probably guarantee me an automatic rejection, but again, I refuse to allow a 4 figure digit and some 5 point scale determine what sort of intellectual capability I have.</p>

6

<p>pleatedtongue that may be true, but the fact of the matter is(in terms of practicality), thats one of the biggest factors the adcom will consider when they are trying to get a "glimpse" of your intellectual capacity and promise.</p>

<p>btw, most of the people applying can "handle" the workload at colleges. thats wat makes the application process such crapshoot.</p>

7

<p>pk2313, thanks for the feedback. I completely understand. This is exactly why I'm going to try my luck with the ACT instead--perhaps that may better offer cornell that "glimpse" you spoke about. If I were to land a score between 32-34, how much better would my chances be? (if I even had a chance to begin with)</p>

8

<p>Cornell isn't as "NUMBER-MUNCHING" as the other universities, because it's not competing so hard for college rankings (like P'ton and Harvard in USNews).</p>

<p>lets see, the college guide i have translates ACT scores into SAT ones like this:
36--->1600
35--->1560
34--->1520
33--->1470
32--->1420
31--->1380
30--->1340</p>

9

<p>though adcoms will definitely see both your SAT and ACT scores, they will really take the highest one of the two into consideration when evaluating the strength of your candidacy. </p>

<p>an ACT score of 32-34 is excellent, and is above average for the Cornell applicant pool. So you should be fine.</p>