Can I get "chanced"?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Hi I am a male, from virginia. I came to US four years ago from Iran because of religious toleration here. I could not gain any education higher than high school there. When I came here I started working my tail off in school, because I could LEARN MORE HERE! So here is my stats:</p>

<p>I am a rising IB senior. I have taken the most hard core classes my school offers.</p>

<p>I rank 1/401 in my high school: I have to mention my HS is not very competitive; at least not to me. </p>

<p>My GPA weighted is 4.65 and unweighted is I think 3.92 or 3.93 IDK! We go by weighted here.</p>

<p>My SAT scores are horrible because of my lack of experience with English language. </p>

<p>CR is in 500's but I believe I will be in mid 600's next time I take it.
Math is 660, but I'll improve again
Writing the same...</p>

<p>I know my SAT is not that good, but SAT isn't the only factor....</p>

<p>My SAT II scores are ok! </p>

<p>I had a hard life and much to tell about it! I think a school like Cornell looks at the whole packet. </p>

<p>As far as Extraculs:</p>

<p>A list of clubs like NHS, World History, Chess, Academic, etc
My chess team won the regional once (im VP)
Varsity Cross country
Rescue Squad member (love it!!)
ESL teacher (I hold almost 5 days a week to teach kids english since I know its importance)</p>

<p>I am the first generation of my family to attend college as well.
Low-income family as well; I was considering Questbridge but I was afraid I end up somewhere I do not want to go!</p>

<p>I thank you in advance!
BTW I will be applying for the College of Arts and Sciences. I love neurobiology!!</p>

2

<p>I think you need to work on SAT a little more.
But your EC shows your commitment to some of the activities.</p>

<p>Just keep your GPA as higher as you could, and keep your fingers acrossed!</p>

3

<p>So what are you scores?</p>

4

<p>I will take the SAT again in october. I will have better scores. I know so many newer words now! :slight_smile: My SAT II scores are low 700’s, but that’s fine.</p>

5

<p>Hey bluepurple
I took IB at my HS as well and got in ED. From what you have posted, you really need to improve on your SAT I. Your academics must be excellent considering you rank. However, such a disparity between your GPA and SAT I might invoke suspicion about your school’s competitiveness, weakening your high GPA. I believe, with decent recs and a top-notch essay, that you have a good chance.
What is your IB predicted score at the end of Year 1 btw? (This is score is very essential, as the college will only be able to use this and Year 2’s first term’s score for admission purposes)</p>

6

<p>In IB I got straight A’s and A+'s…this year was the first year I could ever get straight A’s because my English improved. Privious years in Pre IB, which as you know is much easier than IB I usually got A’s and B+'s. I have shown improvement as my English gets better and better. I will re-take the SAT again and I believe I will score higher. I got A in IB English by really working hard. I had a question: how larger are Cornell’s classrooms?</p>

7

<p>Hi Irarchiedw; what would be the factor that makes Cornell a better fit for me? I am also very interested in applying to Amherst and Wesleyan. Why would Cornell be a better place than the other two schools? Also what do you think if my SAT’s were as follows: 660 in CR; 700 math; 690 Writing?</p>

8

<p>Hi bluepurple
I think Cornell would pay more attention to your predicted/anticipated IB score when you apply. (This score is pretty much arbitrary from your teacher’s point of view and is out of a maximum of 45) IMO, a score of 40 gives you a great chance in terms of GPA. Frankly, the A’s and B’s in IB are not entirely representative, as there can be a ton of grade inflation in IB classes (i.e. my school). </p>

<p>In terms of fit, you must have your reasons for choosing these colleges. However, your choice of major will play an important role. I don’t know too much about Amherst and Wesleyan, other than the fact that they are prestigious in their own ways. But out of the 3 colleges you’ve listed, Cornell has the most generous FinAid policies. Cornell is also well-known for its attention to “fit”, and not so much about GPA and stats. This may work in your favor as your SAT I score is below average.
I would say keep working on your SAT I and strive to improve on it. It never hurts to have a higher score. But I can’t give you an exact threshold because every applicant is strong/weak in certain areas.</p>

9

<p>The acceptance rate for anyone is 20% (roughly). I would put your chances at 50%+. I think your class rank really helps. Even if it’s not a super-competitive school, being 1/405 is still impressive by most standards. Your SAT’s are obviously your drawback, but I think those are overcome if you score well on IB exams and write a good essay on your background. Improving your SAT will obviously really help, and I would put your chances at 65%+ if you apply ED.</p>

10

<p>Get your math up to 700, research the colleges carefully, find your fit, , write good essays,and get good recommendations, and you have a 50-50 chance ED.</p>

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<p>Thank you!! Since summer has started, I have read several novels to improve my vocabulary; I have read Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, bunch of non-fictions, etc. I am a very hard working student. I can learn quickly, and I love learning. I just find it cheap for colleges to think excessively on SAT’s, because I will be a good student. The reason why I don’t have high SAT is because of my language barriers, but I will learn. Colleges should care more about potential rather than current ability of applicants. Sometimes when I do practice SAT’s, and get so many questions wrong, I just feel very mad, but at this point that is all I am, but if you looked at me four years ago when I could not even write a sentence in English you would have not even predicted I would ever end up in any college.</p>

12

<p>I don’t really know my IB predicted scores, since only one of my teachers has told us about it. My biology teacher; she told my class she does not recommend anyone a 7 because my classmates are not competitive, but as I was her only A in all her five classes I think I will be a definit 6. I will try to prove her wrong by getting a 7 though. </p>

<p>I am just depressed over college. :frowning: I have other choices such as Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Amherst, Middlebury, Bowdoin, (yeah I’m a liberal lover :slight_smile: ) but I just don’t know which one is the best for me. Cornell def has the better name, but others have a better education as I have heard. How big are classrooms for a science major. I want to be the man who cures cancer BTW. :)</p>

13

<p>I have a question? I am very interested in research. I really love to be the person who can cure a disease. How good is Cornell as far as preparing me for such purpose? </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>Also should I even apply if I don’t have a SAT score over 1900?</p>

14

<p>Hi bluepurple,</p>

<p>I am also a former IB student, and was accepted RD.
One of the reasons I chose Cornell over the other “prestigious” schools I got accepted to was because of the phenomenal research opportunities available. I won’t be working in a lab freshman year, but I know that many professors and labs are willing to accept passionate undergraduate students. </p>

<p>Definitely try to get your SAT scores up; as much as I’m sure you’re a great person, colleges like to see the numbers. If numbers are what they want, then give them the numbers. Best of luck!</p>

15

<p>So do you think I should apply if my scores are lets say 620, 720, 620? I have a tons of background to make my perseverance and work ethic shown. I truely believe SAT is the only problem. I have also heard that colleges do not reject an applicant only because of one factor. If they want me, they accept me.
Thank you.</p>

16

<p>Have you tried taking the ACT?</p>

17

<p>Not yet. I am not sure if I should take on in October. I have heard some people like ACT better. I have not even looked at sort of questions they ask. I will definitly buy a prep book and study it. :frowning: I have SAT. hahah</p>

18

<p>The ACT is kind of different. Some people would criticize it and say it’s just for stupid people who can’t take the SAT, but others say it’s just a completely different style.</p>

<p>From what I felt: the ACT is more about time management, and less tricks. I guess in that regards you can think of it as not as “critical thinking” as the SAT, but in it’s own right, I know people that get 2300+ but can’t break a 34 on the ACT.</p>