Chance me at Cornell please- good SATs, subpar GPA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Okay... I'm currently a male rising senior, first generation African immigrant. I live in MD, and I'm in a very good school system (Montgomery County). My school is good, but not anything close to being as ultra-competitive as some other schools. </p>

<p>Anyways, I've always tried to take the most challenging course load available to me. I've never taken an honors or regular course if AP/GT is available for that same course. This is what I've done:</p>

<p>3.48 GPA (unweighted)
4.1 GPA (weighted)
6 APs thus far: Government, Calc AB, World Hist, Comp Sci 3, Stats, Eng 11
Only AP score I have right now is a 4 in Gov from last year. If you like, assume I got a 3/4 in Calc, 3/4 in WH, 5 in Stats, and 5 in English.</p>

<p>2210 SATs (Critical Reading-730, Math-720, Writing-760)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: 1 year of JV football, 3 years of outdoor track, 1 year of indoor. This is mainly my own fault, but I had 0 participation in school clubs my first 3 years. So no Math Team or anything of the sort on my app, at least except for what I join at the beginning of 12th grade. However, I am involved at my church as a youth leader. I've also been volunteering with two youth basketball and football teams since 9th grade. Also, I went on a 3-week missions trip to Africa this summer. I did an engineering summer program at Maryland 2 summers ago. And I spent some of last summer and probably the rest of this summer working for my mother's business, mainly data entry.</p>

<p>Next year's schedule isn't finalized, but I'm not slacking. I'm taking at least 4-5 more APs out of 5 (or 6) periods. I expect straight As, at least through midterms. I'm also starting an engineering internship in about a month. </p>

<p>I should also mention that I'm well-read compared to most, and that I'm a very strong writer. So assume that I will have a strong admissions essay with my application, most likely centered around my missions trip and helping needy people in Africa as well as giving back to my home continent. The essay aspect should be a major strength as opposed to a liability.</p>

<p>So what are my chances right now? </p>

<p>And what are some ways I can boost my application between now and then, preferably towards admission into the School of Engineering?</p>

2

<p>Given that you're a first generation African immigrant, and some of your stats are competitive, you have a pretty good shot.</p>

<p>Don't you need to take 2-3 SAT II's?
And try not to get 3's on the AP exams. 4 or higher. No excuses - especially with that SAT score of yours.</p>

3

<p>Firefox just killed my nicely thought-out post, so I'm going to have to be brusque. Sorry.</p>

<p>GPA - too late to improve at time of application unless it is recalculated before January 1st.</p>

<p>Your AP's - You've taken 6 AP's but only 1 test? The scores should have be out already, so if they're not I apologize. Otherwise...the AP's do not indicate a good sign at all. Almost anyone can take an AP class (unless your school screens) but only a select percentage can test and get a 5. If you don't have a score at all, it might indicate you're trying to go for strong classes but not going through with it.</p>

<p>SATs - Good SATs, not really worth improving.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars - Not good. You have sports, which is good, but lack of any clubs. Hopefully you won't have holes and you can fill with your volunteer activities. No leadership positions either, I'm guessing. </p>

<p>Internship good. Be sure to mention.</p>

<p>
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I should also mention that I'm well-read compared to most, and that I'm a very strong writer.

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<p>That may be so, but compared to what standard? Cornell applicants are some of the best/brightest and include strong writers. Do you stand out amongst them?</p>

<p>Chance: Decent. I'm not going to say you're more likely to be accepted than not. Hopefully you are, you sound like an eager student.</p>

<p>Advice: Nothing you can really do at this stage. I'd take 2-3 SAT II's just like Greens said, in things you play to major in or are good at. Midterm grades probably won't make a difference. Get good recommendation letters. Participate in a club now as even a little bit might help your application. Remember, RD deadline is Jan. 1st.</p>

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<p>I think what he means is that he took Gov last year and got a score, and is still waiting for his scores this year.</p>

<p>I think you can improve your UW gpa before then (assuming it will be recalculated). Your SATs are fine.
And I don't think your EC's are atrocious. The volunteering with sports teams and trip to Africa is something that sets you apart.
Also play up the internship.</p>

<p>But you failed to mention your class rank. If you are top 10% I would say you have a pretty good shot.</p>

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<p>blu_g8orade: I don't think you should put something that you have only spend 1 year on it. I personally refuse to put anything on my application unless I have spend 4 years or more on it.</p>

<p>That being said, your SAT I scores are just superb, and your weighted is solid. I'd say you have a good shot. Just do well on your subject tests.</p>

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<p>you proboly have a good shot at engirneering</p>

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<p>I'm not so optimistic about that miktau, even though I would like to be.</p>

<p>His Math SATs scores are good (720), but the scores of candidates for Engineering should be as high as possible and as it stands, there may be a gap. He also had no SAT II's related to math or math subjects. A 5 in stats is good, but even that is only a probable. The AP Calculus would help...but an estimated 3/4 does not demonstrate high proficiency in the material. He has a shot at Engineering, but keep in mind there are other candidates applying who have done all this and far more. Also, realize that none of the extracurricular activities or awards are related to engineering, which would only have been a benefit.</p>

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<p>also realize he is a URM.</p>

<p>and he will HAS to take the SAT II Math + one SAT II Science, so it's only a matter of when, not if. And knowing he had a decent score in the SAT I Math, it is predictable to get around the same SAT II Math.</p>

<p>not to mention the fact that AP scores weigh little if any into the admissions decision. The fact that he took the AP courses and got A's in them is a bigger factor in admissions.</p>

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<p>True, he does have the blessed URM title complete with First Generation Honors. He does have to take the SAT Math and SAT science, so I suppose those scores could benefit his admission chances. It is also true that AP scores weigh little in admission decisions, but I do feel they help nevertheless. </p>

<p>On the fact that he took AP courses and got A's in them, I would object a little. His grade point indicates half A's and half B's. I would like to see more of his individual grades before I go any further. And his A's are assumed, even before the semester has begun. I agree that more information about his class rank and class grades will help improve his chances.</p>

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<p>yup was basing a lot on the whole urm/first gen status, might as well be a recruited athlete as far as im concerned.</p>

<p>cheers,
Mike</p>

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<p>although your gpa is low for cornell, I think your solid SAT scores and URM status will compensate to an extent. So, I would say that you have an average chance of being admitted to Cornell. Right now, try to take SATII tests and get very high scores on them to boost your chances.</p>

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<p>yeah, i forgot to mention that i'll take SAT IIs this fall. English, Physics, and Math II. i'm also retaking the SAT I this October because i was unhappy with my math score. </p>

<p>for the APs... i did take the tests for all the classes except Comp Sci. still waiting on my scores. </p>

<p>as for my class rank, i actually don't know exactly, so i can't bank on being in the top 10%. with a 4.1, i could be anywhere from 25-35 out of 300. </p>

<p>now i have another question... a few people have told me that i look like a better A/S applicant than an Engineering applicant. is this true? my SAT math is the lowest out of the three, my English AP score will probably be higher than Calc, and throughout school i've done better in my A/S courses than in my math courses. in math courses, i actually have more Bs than As. not by a lot, but i do. but in core A/S courses, i have significantly more As than Bs.</p>

<p>and chendrix, you said that my SAT II Math will probably reflect my SAT I Math. but from what I've seen, a 720 in SAT II Math is on the low end for applicants at competitive engineering schools. it seems that schools like Cornell typically expect around 780s at the lowest, and that 800s are actually commonplace.</p>

<p>so be honest with me: would i have a better chance applying for the College of A/S than College of Engineering? because i just want to give myself the best chance to get in. true, i personally have a preference towards engineering. but if i don't look like a strong Eng applicant, i don't want to rely on luck, minority status or anything else. i want to apply to the area i'd look the strongest in.</p>

<p>thanks a lot for the input, guys.</p>

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<p>
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now i have another question... a few people have told me that i look like a better A/S applicant than an Engineering applicant. is this true? my SAT math is the lowest out of the three, my English AP score will probably be higher than Calc, and throughout school i've done better in my A/S courses than in my math courses. in math courses, i actually have more Bs than As. not by a lot, but i do. but in core A/S courses, i have significantly more As than Bs.

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<p>I don't want to decide your career choice for you, but I feel that you do look like a better A/S applicant...engineering applicants seem to be a different breed altogether.</p>

<p>
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and chendrix, you said that my SAT II Math will probably reflect my SAT I Math. but from what I've seen, a 720 in SAT II Math is on the low end for applicants at competitive engineering schools. it seems that schools like Cornell typically expect around 780s at the lowest, and that 800s are actually commonplace.

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</p>

<p>That's what I was trying to get at in my previous post, I just never finished the thought. For Engineering students, the SAT I Math and SAT Math scores should be the highest because the other applicants will have them as high as possible as well. </p>

<p>
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thanks a lot for the input, guys.

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You're welcome. I apologize if I came across as harsh or cynical.</p>

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<p>You would probably get in Early Decision.</p>

<p>For what it is worth, Engineering is quite a bit easier to get into than Arts. That said, 730 math might not cut it for regular decision engineering. A 730 places you in the bottom 25 percent of admitted students, and I expect that figure to be closer to 750 for regular decision. Granted, you are also a first generation son of immigrants, so that is definitely working in your favor.</p>

<p>For what it is worth, I had a 770 Math and a 5 Calc BC, but I would probably have had a lot of trouble handling all of the work in the engineering school. Then again, engineering isn't my passion.</p>

<p>But apply to engineering if you truly have an interest in being an engineer. Otherwise, Arts, or even Ag, is great for undecideds. </p>

<p>You might also be interested in the bio-and environmental engineering program through the Ag School.</p>

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<p>It's fine if you don't re-take SAT I just to boost your math score, but definitely take SAT II Math ^^. If you get 780~800, you're set.</p>