Chance Me; CALS

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Unweighted; 4.0 (rank 6/311)
Weighted; 4.1 (rank 7/311)

Freshman Year: English 9, Spanish 9, Earth Science, Common Core Geometry, Phys. Ed, World History 9, Introduction to Programming/Web Design, Art.

Sophomore Year: Music in Our Lives, English 10, Spanish 10, Chemistry (Regents Level), Common Core Algebra 2, Phys. Ed, Health, AP World History (the only AP offered for our grade at that time)

Jr. Year Classes: IB Biology 11 HL, IB English 11 HL, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, US History, Phys. Ed.

Sr. Year Classes: IB Biology 12 HL, IB English 12 HL, AP Statistics, IB Physics SL, Eco/govt, Phys. Ed.

In an 8-period school day, the IB sciences are “1.5” periods long (one day the lecture is 2 periods long, while the next only occupies 1 period) and AP Chemistry was 2 periods long each day. By law I had to consent to revoking my lunch period in order to be full IB and my parents refused to allow that

Demographic:

White- Middle Eastern descent.
First generation student going into college.
Family makes below $55k/yr for a household of 5

Regents Test Scores:

Middle School-
Living Environment (Biology): 93
Algebra 1: 93

9th-
Geometry: 98
Earth Science: 98

10th-
Trigonometry: 100
Chemistry: 100
World History: 100
Spanish: 88

11th-
English: 99
US History: 99

SAT/ACT Scores:

ACT-

2 composite scores; 30 and a 32.
Writing: 12/12

SAT-

First attempt: 1350/1600, 660 in English and 690 in math
Second: 1430/1600, 660 in English and 770 in Math

Subject tests:

Math II: 740
Chemistry: 780
World History: 720

AP Scores:

World History: 5
Chemistry: 5
Calculus AB: 5

Volunteer Work:

-Volunteered at a hospital for 100 hours during my summer between junior and senior year

-I have been a tutor since freshman year, accumulating 326 hours precisely based on my records:

Freshman year: Geometry
Sophomore year: Trigonometry, Regular Chemistry, and all of the above.
Junior Year: Calculus, IB Biology, AP chemistry, and all of the above.
Senior Year: IB Physics and all of the above.

Work Experience:

Molecular Biology Research, Sarah Lawrence College — Researcher
A week long lab training program that taught skills including the growth of cell cultures, transfection, pipetting, and performing Western Blots.

Extracurricular Activities:

Chemistry Olympiad— Competitor and coach for participants

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Club — President

Science Olympiad — B Team Captain

NYC Brain Bee hosted by Columbia University — Active Competitor

Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) - Certificate of Achievement

This 8-week competitive program hosted by the Sophie Davis Program of Biomedical Education at the
CUNY School of Medicine provides participants the opportunity to practice interviewing patients,
listen to a medical school level lecture on osteogenesis imperfecta, and examine cadavers and human
organs in their gross anatomy lab.

Mathletes Team- Active Competitor

Mathematics team affiliated in competitions including the AMC, NYS Mathematical League, and the
Moody Mathematical Challenge.

College Applicant Self-Empowerment Club- Secretary

A club dedicated to teaching and mentoring underclassmen in all things academic, whether that be
standardized testing or core curriculum-wise.

Model United Nations (UN) - Representative of Jordan

Honors/Awards:

Scholastic Excellence: Yonkers Public Schools Recognition- Club 90

Mu Alpha Theta: Math Honor Society

National Society of High School Scholars
Recognition

AP Scholars Award

Science National Honor Society

Saint Michael’s College Book Award for
Academic Achievement with a Social
Conscience

Hobbies/Interests:

Weightlifting
Writing Poetry
Reading
Swimming
Cooking

Pursuing a major in Neuroscience, intending to complete a joint program for my medical degree and PHD in Neuroscience or Immunology to become an academic neurosurgeon; one who practices surgery as well as conducts research, ideally for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Languages Spoken:

English- Fluent
Spanish- Conversational
Arabic- Conversational

Recommendation Letters (I have not read them mind you so this is solely based on my relationships with my professors):

AP Chemistry Teacher- 9/10
AP Calculus/AP Statistics Teacher: 10/10

Thanks in advance. I know there is little I can do at this point of the year, but being able to see where I stand, although based on the subjectivity of anonymous opinions, would give me a bit more peace at mind. Have a wonderful day

2

Wow, honestly there’s so much impressive stuff on your resume, and I think that at most colleges you should have no worry about getting in.

Many resumes have the issue of being very academically focused, with far too little EC involvement, or weak EC involvement over time. I think that that might be inverted in your case. I honestly skipped over the pure academics at first because I figured that everyone applying to Cornell would be exceptional there anyways, and I was blown away by your EC involvement, but upon a second glance at your academics, I might not be so sure that this is in the bag.

First of all, the class schedule isn’t impressive. That’s tragic that your school limits you so heavily in terms of what tests you can take, because I’d really love to see more than just those three APs. IBs should boost you up a little, and your class rank is incredible, but the honestly quite low ACT/SAT makes me wonder if this is a big fish small pond type scenario. I think you’ve definitely made the best out of a mediocre situation, and that’s something Cornell loves to see, but don’t be too upset if they don’t end up admitting you into such a competitive school at an already competitive university.

I give you a 40% chance.

3

Just after another pass over, I saw you got a 12/12 on ACT writing, which is actually quite good. Maybe post/share your essays and we can try to adjust based on that. Overall I think you’re still definitely in the top 0.1% of students nationwide, I just don’t know if that’s enough for Cornell :confused:

4

I really do appreciate the input and thorough analysis you have made regarding my application :slight_smile: the truth is our district is lacking in funds, so lacking the diverse pool of courses other applicants have at their disposal surely was daunting me. However, I’m the type of person that uses manure thrown my way to cultivate sugar and I am happy to see that you believe I’ve done so. The way I see it is as long as I try my best, I’ll be satisfied with whatever happens. If I don’t get in, my breath won’t cease; as long as I’m alive I’ll fulfill my dream one way or another :slight_smile: I already have some EA acceptances, with substantial financial aid and scholarship to attend great schools, so I’ll just play my cards from there presuming the 40% isn’t enough. Thank you once again and have a wonderful day :slight_smile:

5

Hey, how’d it go?