Am I that bad?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I envy all of you guys who can proudly state that you will graduate from Cornell.</p>

<p>I just got back my SAT score, and I wanted to see my chances.</p>

<p>Would you guys mind chancing my acceptance into Cornell Engineering (ED) ?</p>

<p>GPA : A in regular is 4.0, A in honors/AP is 5.0</p>

<p>Freshman (3.8) - I came to the U.S. this year. I couldn't speak English..
Concert Choir A-
ESL A-
ESL US history 2 A
Essential biology A-
Gym A
Plane geometry A
Spanish 1 A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (4.1) (starting to speak English..)
Algebra 2 H A
Chemistry A
Gym A
Choir A-
English1 A-
Spanish 2 A
US history A</p>

<p>Junior (4.8) - speak almost fluently in English
AP Stats A
EMA honors A
English 2 A
Gym A
Spanish 3 H A
World Civ H A (since I took ESL US 2 when I was freshman)
Physics H A-</p>

<p>Senior (4.9 projected)
AP World
AP Lang & Comp
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
Spanish 4 H (Should I skip spanish4 and take AP Spanish if I can?)
English 3 H</p>

<p>My class rank and GPA were as low as they seem since I was unable to take honors classes in those two years. In my freshman year, I first had to adapt to the new environment and learn the languages at the same time. Since I was in Essentials and ESL classes, I had to go up to regular classes first, in order to place myself in higher courses.</p>

<p>As a junior now, I am finally in all honors classes except for my English class. Next year, four APs with two honors.</p>

<p>ECs
Winter Track 2 years
Auditioned Choir 1 (Men)
- performed in various places
Auditioned Choir 2 (Men and Women)
- performed in various places
Solos at concerts (insignificant, right?)
Multicultural Club (Vice President)
Chinese Club (maybe a vice president or an officer next year)
Model UN
Tri M - (Music honored group)
-Jazz ensemble
National Honor Society
Science League
Took AMC10 and AMC12
AIME Qualifier
Debate Club
Recognized word processor licenses level 1 and 2 from Korea
Volunteer at nursing home 100+
Teacher Assistant at Korean school 100+</p>

<p>During the last summer, I'm planning to do..
I formed an organization to contribute to the communities by having musical concerts with exceptionally talented friends. I hope this would go well!
Planning to do an internship.</p>

<p>I think my ECs are weak, so this summer is my last chance to bring up all my Extra activities. I'm trying to get officer positions from the clubs that I participated. Hopefully it will help me </p>

<p>Standardized test scores
PSAT 2007 147
2008 200
SAT1 Math Writing Reading
720 680 670 (2070)
760 690 620 (2070)
800 690 680 (2170) , M & R (1480/1600)
I think my TOEFL would cover for my low critical reading score.</p>

<p>SAT2
Math 2C 790
Math 1C 770
Chemistry 780
Physics June
Biology/World Civ maybe November for my last shot</p>

<p>TOEFL July (110+)</p>

<p>Other facts
3 years in the U.S.</p>

<p>I'm really hoping that the fact that I have resided in the U.S. only for 3 years would help me to get admitted with relatively low SAT score.</p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>With your stats you shouldn’t worry. Most of it is left up to luck or things that can’t be described through this forum. Just continue working.</p>

3

<p>I second dean5150, your stats should not be the worry point of your application rather the “softer” parts of your application.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I believe Cornell traditionally does not place much emphasis on your SAT scores, it’s more about fit. If you can demonstrate that in your essay, then kudos to you and I think you will have a very good chance of getting accepted.</p>

5

<p>I appreciate the replies. so should I try to get an internship related to Engineering during summer? and do you think its a good idea to go to a class in local college?</p>

6

<p>make it clear somewhere on your application that you didn’t speak english the first two years of high school and that’s why your gpa was so much lower and you didn’t take honors. Hopefully they’ll understand and take that into consideration. And both of those would be helpful.</p>

7

<p>i like how english is my first language and my CR score is only 10 points higher than yours, and i got in. it shouldnt be a problem.</p>

8

<p>I’m still not sure whether i should I apply to AEM or engineering…
I’m interested in both, and not sure if I can stand the hard work of engineering</p>

9

<p>Just some recommendations from me: </p>

<ul>
<li>Get your counselor letter of rec to cover the issues you had with English. If you point them out yourself you’re going to come off as a little whiny. </li>
<li>Whether you do CoE or AEM, stressing fit in your essays is EXTREMELY important.</li>
<li>Don’t worry too much about your scores they seem fine.</li>
</ul>

<p>Good luck!</p>

10

<p>Engineering has one of the highest acceptance rates for people with your GPA/SAT/Class Rank</p>

<p>AEM has one of the lowest acceptance rates for anyone.</p>

<p>I would apply for Engineering. In one essay try talking about how you’re passionate in math/science and how Cornell will help you achieve your goals, in the other essay, try talking about your passion for singing and how that’s made you different. It’ll help set you apart from all the other GPA/SAT asians.</p>

11

<p>well. if u are asian, good luck because you probably will not get in. If you are mexican you could be much less qualified and get a full scholarship.</p>

12

<p>Lol, that’s cruel.</p>

13

<p>unfortunately, you follow pretty much the exact format of thousands of other recent Asian immigrants. when there are thousands exactly like you, you need to have something unique about you. find that thing and put it in your application essays-the most important part of a cornell app</p>