Hi guys!
My name’s Catherine, I’m an International student attending an International school; senior year just started. I want to study Biochemistry, but if applying to Cornell then Food Science (which is what I’d actually prefer). Although, I’m not opposed to applying for another major if it means I’m accepted and can later transfer (pretty curious about that if you guys have answers).
GPA UW: 3.78
School doesn’t have weighted GPAs or class rankings, but classes are all pretty demanding and quite rigorous.
ACT Composite: 31
English: 35
Reading: 31
Science: 30
Math: 26 (not my strong suit)
I will be taking the ACT again though (aiming for a 33/34), and I will be taking SAT Subject Tests for Bio, Math II, and maybe Chem.
I take 2 Higher Level IB classes - Biology, Mandarin
2 Standard Level IBs - Math, Chemistry
2 APs Junior year - Macro (5) , Lang + Comp (4 - unfortunately)
2 APs Senior year - Psych, Lit + Comp
Elective for both junior and senior year - Journalism; working on our school magazine as Editor-in-chief
For those not familiar with the IB system, it’s a two year programme for junior and senior year so the same classes are repeated. That kind of limits the amount of AP classes I can take at my school, which doesn’t offer that many to begin with. As you can see, all of my classes are rather challenging, nothing too easy here.
My sports include a smattering of JV teams (mostly in my freshman and sophomore year) like soccer and touch rugby, and a year of varsity Track & Field in junior year.
My advantage, I think, is my community service. I’m heavily involved in all sorts of service clubs and am president of the only animal welfare related club at my school. The other service projects I’m part of include a microfinancing club, Habitat for Humanity, a medical aid related club, a club that visits an orphanage/old folks home weekly.
I’m also president of the Indian cultural club at my school, and I’ve worked my past two summers as a camp counselor for elementary kids.
I completely ruined my GPA last semester, 3.84 to 3.78 and I guess it was just a tough semester with a bad combination of classes. But I know I can for sure bring my GPA back to the 3.8 range this semester. I’m a pretty skilled writer though, so hopefully my essays will sort of make up for whatever’s lacking.
My top picks are obviously Cornell, Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and Rice, but I’m also applying to BU, BC, Tufts, UCD, UCSD, NYU and ASU (where my brother is currently attending)
For the less selective schools i.e. BU, UCD, ASU I’ll probably apply for their honors or accelerated programmes.
I wasn’t too sure about applying ED to Cornell because on one hand I’m sure I want to study Food Science over there (I have a great essay for as to why), but on the other hand I would love another semester to bring my GPA back up.
Thanks so much.