<p>Hello, everyone. I am currently enrolled in a public high school in Missouri as a junior, although I recently attended the most selective and most challenging private high school in the state. I was forced to switch due to medical issues. I suffered a very serious illness my first junior year and had to repeat. Anyway, I would like to apply to Cornell early decision and was wondering what suggestions you folks might have as to what I can do to distinguish myself from the pack. Here, so far, is a list of my accomplishments (those that I can remember) and the activities I'm involved in. </p>
<p>And before I list my accomplishments I would like to make one thing clear. I'm not at all sure if I have a good shot at making it into Cornell. I'd like to think there is a chance, especially if I get perfect grades for the rest of my high school career, however, I truly bombed my freshman year and thus my GPA is seriously hurting. I do hope I can rectify the situation. I would like to make it clear that I'm at least going to try, no matter what you might think of my situation.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.3 Unweighted (This is the single most frustrating obstacle. If I get all As my junior and senior year, how much do you think I can raise this by?)
SAT: Not taken - once again, due to illness
SAT Subject Tests: Same story ^
ACT: Same story ^
PSAT: 210 (CR 80; M 57; W 73)
APs: US History (5), English Language and Composition (5)
Current course load: AP Government, AP Economics, AP Lit, AP French, Trigonometry
Current Grades: All As</p>
<p>Recommendations: I will have outstanding recommendations, no matter where I turn. </p>
<p>ECs:
Boy Scouts (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader)-(will be Eagle Scout soon)
Junior Varsity Baseball (9)
C-Basketball (9)
S.T.A.N.D. (11) * Ex-President
Varsity Swimming (10,11)
Varsity Water Polo (10,11)
St. Louis Model U.N. (9,10,11,11') *Founder/President
Political Forum (10,11) * Ex-President
The Hague International Model U.N. Delegate (11)
Environmental Awareness (11)
Key Club (11')
Student Council (11')
Amnesty International (11')
Speech and Debate Club (11') - Chief Extemp. Debater/Policy Debater
Researcher/tour guide with a local historical society
Obama campaign volunteer
Etc...I'm sure there's more. I've won a few prizes here and there, but I'll have to look them up.</p>
<p>Now to the more exciting stuff!</p>
<p>Things I plan on doing and have already committed to/started working on...
Publish my history paper
Start a History Club
Start a business/ I'm actually working on a business plan with a college friend of mine
Start a national history organization</p>
<p>I'll update this as I go. I'm getting a little fatigued.</p>
<p>But anyway, what do you guys think? Am I on the right track? Are there any suggestions you might have? I'm not nearly so foolish as to apply to all Ivy League schools without any safeties. Don't worry. I have safeties. I'm just wondering what I can make of myself in these 1 and 1/2 years I have until I must apply to college.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it.</p>