<p>I know Cornell is kind of a long shot for me... but if I apply early decision, do you think I'm a reasonable candidate? If you think its still too much of a stretch, let me know. Because, as much as I love Cornell, I don't want to "waste" my chance to use ED at a school where my chances are too slim</p>
<p>GPA: 3.83 UW, much higher weighted, (I've taken all of the hardest classes at my school, and a few APs outside of school online)</p>
<p>Recommendations: one outstanding, one "good"</p>
<p>Essays: I'm willing to put a lot of work in, but I certainly wouldn't say that they will be extraordinary... but hopefully they will turn out pretty good. I'm currently wrestling over topics.</p>
<p>I will not be applying for financial aid, if that helps.</p>
<p>ACT: 31
35 E, 31 M, 30 R, 28 S... I plan to study and retake twice.</p>
<p>ECS:
Lots of in school leadership
Lots of community service and leadership through community service
Tennis
Horseback Riding
Golf
A few strong leadership/community service things this summer
Steady job since freshman year
A couple of internships
Tutoring
I founded a writing club
National Merit Commended... I don't think that means a thing.. but IDK
A few in school awards and obviously honor roll things
NHS
Some other stuff... but all pretty standard</p>
<p>What do you think? Be honest. Can you recommend other schools? I absolutely adore Cornell, so I'd like a similar school... just one that I might have a better chance at!</p>
<p>No… nothing related, unfortunately. They were both business things. I will probably go in undecided, or maybe check either history or english or something. I feel like my test scores and grades are definitely on the low side. I managed a couple of B+s in some AP courses and I got a B in one class… I just can’t imagine an ivy accepting that when they get thousands of pretty much “perfect” transcripts a year.</p>
<p>Is the college of human ecology harder or easier to get into? I am really torn between the college of arts and sciences and the college of human ecology for a few reasons. The programs at the college of human ecology really interest me… and they talk about looking for applicants involved in their communities/that volunteer a lot or whatever… and that’s kind of me. But, I don’t know if my interests might change, and I feel much more restricted at human ecology. the college of arts and sciences is so diverse.</p>
<p>My school has a program where we can do an “internships” at a local business for school credit. We only receive credit for a general class, but it is a nice distraction from the actual school day, and the program offers students a chance to explore different possible career paths and interests. </p>
<p>I did my internships because I had scheduling conflicts and the best route to go was to set up an internship for credit because I place the “course” anywhere on my schedule. I was able to find a company that I was interested in, and my work there led to a part time job.</p>
<p>So, even if your question was rhetorical, that is MY personal answer to your question, “What is it with all these HS students in “internships”?”</p>
<p>Cornell is based off of fit, but I believe this is much more relevant with every school besides CAS. If you can get your ACTs up like 1-3 points, I would say you have a great chance at Ecology as long as you fit the school well. CAS seems to be much more about numbers and such, but I would still go with what fits you best.</p>
<p>I wasn’t trying to discount your experience with them, I just see these chance threads all the time with kids listing “internships” and I envision them doing like what an undergraduate or fresh-out-of-college adult would be doing. What you describe is what I would call like a “follow the professional around and learn” kinda deal, but if it got you a part time job…hey, that’s pretty cool.</p>
<p>i did the exact same thing as you anonymous with the high school internships. and i was authored in a published research paper, so i wouldn’t call that just following around, but who knows maybe thats nothing in the real world</p>
<p>Again, not trying to discount or diminish it. I just had never heard of a HS student doing an internship that got them published or earned them a part time job, so it’s pretty cool to me. It’s starting to sound like it’s pretty standard around here.</p>
<p>i think you sound like youre in pretty good shape. the only thing that worries me is that your characterized your ECs as “pretty standard” i think you need something that will set you apart from everyone else. </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure it’s the essay that gets you in when it comes to Cornell. Too many people have perfect transcripts and extraordinary extracurriculars.</p>
<p>Anonymous?- I was WLed from ENG. I know that CAS and ENG are the most competitive and hardest to get accepted by, thereby going for Human Ecology seems like a winner. Definitely write you essay now and if you want, some of us can read it for you and give you some pointers. But you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, it’s only a suggestion. Also, ask some of the english teachers in your school to read it, even use some of the ones that don’t know you (this may simulate the admis committee since they don’t know you). Since Cornell is all about science and math, the grades for these classes should be really great in senior yr-try your utmost to make this happen…reviews, meet with teachers after class, try to do it all.</p>
<p>Good luck and write back when you get the chance. I hope some of this helps.</p>