Hey everyone! Most of you are going to laugh when you see my stats. I know it´s a long shot, but I decided to apply. I´m a half European, half Asian female, and a U.S. citizen from the Midwest. Financial aid is a must.
Major: Communications
SAT: 1240
GPA: (unweighted) 3.6
(Cornell CALS doesn´t require SAT subject tests so I won´t put them here.)
ECs:
Theatre (9, 10, 11, 12)
Sports Car Club of America Autocross (11, 12)
Gay-Straight Alliance (11, 12)
Speech Team (11, 12)
Car Club (12)
National Honor Society (11, 12)
International Thespian Society (11, 12)
Common App Essay: I wrote about my struggle with depression from an early age and my experience in a psychiatric facility, and how that shaped my mindset to be a healthier person today. It was difficult for me to write, but when I had peer-editing done, they stated it was one of the best narratives they´d ever read.
Supplement Essay: I wrote about how writing has always been an effective emotional outlet for me and that is why I am drawn to the major I have selected.
Unusual Circumstances: I spent a decent amount of time in the psych ward which of course caused me to miss school, as well as coming down with mono which I am still dealing with. I explained this when I had my alumni ¨interview¨.
Hooks: First generation college student.
OP - you know yourself based on the wording of your post that Cornell is a giant reach with both your GPA and your SAT. Your mental health struggles are not going to be a positive for admission, regardless of how well you crafted your essay.
I will also caution you that Cornell can be a very stressful, high pressure school. Be sure you have match and safety schools on your list with good support services for students.
One last thought - Ithaca is not an easy place to get too. I don’t know where in the midwest you live but being far from home and unable to get there for the shorter breaks should be something to consider. You can’t even fly from O’Hare to Ithaca direct.
But you can certainly fly from Ohare to Syracuse directly and it’s not a horrible drive from there.
But if she suffers from depression, then with the weather and lack of sunshine, it is probably not the best place to be under those situations. I don’t agree that her mental health issues and getting through them successfully would be viewed as a negative as it shows how she dealt with adversity. I think the bigger issue is really that her SAT and GPA are weak, she doesn’t mention any rigor or AP courses she may have taken, and the only honor is the Honor Society, which one would assume every kid applying to Cornell has. The being Asian also is probably going to work against her as well.
The big positive of course is first generation student as that seems to be a big draw with any school, but at the end of the day, the “chance me” means nothing because we are not the admissions committee and anything can happen. I’ve seen it with one of my own kids, so good luck!
Honors Lit I, Honors Lit II, French 3 pre-AP and French 4 AP. I also forgot to mention I got a 7/7/8 on the SAT essay.