I applied rd to Cornell for the Dyson School (AEM). I understand this program is very difficult to get into. I would like to know if I have a decent chance at admission.
ACT:32
GPA:3.9
no subject tests
Lots of volunteer hours at one organization throughout my whole life and have shown my dedication to it
Also play a sport at the national level (not recruited) just an added ec
I believe my essay specific to Cornell was really well written explaining my passion for business and how the Cornell experience would be perfect for me.
My personal essay was also good and talked about a story about my experience at the organization I volunteer at
I have a grandparent who attended Cornell engineering. (not sure if that helps at all rd)
First time on CC!
You got guts applying to AEM. Decisions are in two months, rest easy.
@qwertyuiop1216 It’s a sad reality that a 32 ACT is not considered “amazing” at an Ivy. It would be a top score at a lot of other great universities, but that’s really the only question mark based on what info you’ve provided. The ACT could be better but it’s still in the average acceptance range of 31-34. What about your GPA? Is that weighted or unweighted? If it’s a 3.9 weighted and includes a bunch of AP courses, then that translates into a lot of Bs and maybe a C or two, and that will weaken your application considerably. If 3.9 is your UW GPA, then it is very good, but is that the result of easy classes or did you take the most rigorous courses available? That’s the one constant you will see in a typical accepted student, they take the hardest courses their high schools offer and they ace them all.
Your ECs sound decent as do your essays. It’s very important to connect your supplemental essay with how you’ll take advantage of what Cornell specifically has to offer. If it was generic and you could send those essays to any school without changing anything, they will know it.
Anyway, as everyone will tell you, it’s totally unpredictable at Cornell so chance me threads are a flip of the coin at best. The good news is you meet the minimum statistical standards so you are definitely in the running. The rest of their decision will be based on their needs to fill the class of 2021 at AEM and if you will fit into their diversity goals. Your essays and teacher recommendations will be critical in setting you apart from the 42,000 other applicants.
Good luck.
@cotopaxi Thanks so much for your response. I was worried with how competitive Cornell is that I wouldn’t be in the running with my ACT score. My gpa is unweighted. My school, however, did not offer any AP classes so I had to take one online (ap calc). I also took the hardest course load possible (guidance counsellor was impressed). I hope this will give me a decent chance. My essay to Cornell was specific to the university/program, but I believe I could have added more details no to make it really “stellar”.
Again, thanks for your input. Also, is it true that legacy has no impact rd round? (it is a grandparent as well). I know I have read somewhere that Cornell had the highest admit rate for legacies in the ivy league but that might be just for ed.
@qwertyuiop1216 sounds like your GPA is solid and courseload is what they’re looking for. Yes, legacy is mainly ED because they figure anyone with a mom or dad that went there will make Cornell their one and only choice. They fill 40% of the class through ED, and about 30% of those are legacies and recruited athletes. I think grandparent is a stretch though. Why didn’t you apply ED? It would have doubled your chances.
@cotopaxi I would have but an unfortunate event occurred. Applied to a top university academically that is D3 (Chicago, Wash U, JHU) (don’t want to give name away as that would tell who I am) for a sport but it ended up not working out. Not quite good enough in my sport to be supported as an ivy league athlete plus it is late in the game so all spots are filled. If I would have known it wouldn’t have worked out, I would have definitely applied ed.
There are many walk on athletes at schools. So, don’t undermine your athletic accomplishments just because you weren’t recruited. Admissions officers could still be impressed.
Thanks @bubblepop12444 I did list some achievement I’ve had trough my sport. I won a national title when I was younger and finished top 3 in my state for high school. I hope it helps! I don’t have too much ec’s outside of that other than volunteerong at an organization since I was 11. Hopefully they’ll look over it as I spent so much time in my sport and believe it or not had opportunities to go to some fine d1 schools for my sport such as Boston college but turned them down.
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