Chance me! EA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I’m into politics and government, so obviously an Ivy League school would be my top choice. Right now, Harvard is my dream school, followed closely by Cornell. I would really appreciate it if y’all would take a look at my qualifications here and see if Cornell is a chance, or other good PolySci schools you think I could get into? Thank you so much.

UC GPA: 4.3
Unweighted GPA: 3.97
Weighted GPA: 4.7

California Resident

Intended Major: Political Science
Intended Minor: Public Policy

ACT: C:31 [E:36 W:33 M:27 S:26 (something like that)]
SAT: 1980 [CR: 640 M: 660 W: 680 (probably won’t send)]
SAT II: USH: 690

AP Scores: US History (5), Psychology (5), US History (3), Lang/Comp (5)

Senior Year course load: AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Span 4, AP Environmental Science, AP Calc AB, Leadership

Few of my most important ECs:

  • Eagle Scout
  • Student Body President
  • Congressional Intern (CA-14)
  • City Hall Administrative Deputy
  • I work for the FBI (SF HQ)
  • Golf Captain (4 years), Basketball (2 years)
  • President of 2 Clubs, Founded 1 club (NHS, and got our school accreditted)
  • School Site Council President
  • Published political writer

Some other significant accomplishments in my field

  • California Boy’s State delegate (Model Congress)
  • Harvard University’s Pre-College Program student (Studied law)
  • Taken political science classes at my local JC every summer all of high school
  • Freshman class president, ASB VP, in several other clubs)
  • Several community service awards/award from mayor
  • 800+ hours of community service with Sheriff’s department (politics related)

Notes:

  • 1st gen American (Middle Eastern)
  • School counselor is a UC Berkeley Admissions reader, and I am writing some strong essays with her as my college counselor (will also have excellent counselor’s letter)
2

BTW: I understand my ACT score is too low-I’m wondering if it’s high enough to be balanced out by GPA, EC, and essays.

3

harvard: i don’t see it! not even waiting list!
cornell: u’re on the borderline & gpa helps u big. extra activities: great job…u can check off this 1.
sat: low. it’ll be real tough to improve fr 1980 to say 2200! yes, don’t send as it’ll taint your case.
act: low but u only need to get it to 33 & u’re close.
ap: u’re behind the cornell’s curve much less harvard & loading up 5 APs in your senior yr won’t help but i think it’ll hurt u more. college applications are like 2 APs, so are u sure u can handle all these workloads? i’d just do 4 APs (even that’s a lot but i understand u need to catch up) & focus more time & energy on college applications. @this juncture, college applications are more important than loading up APs!
should also apply: berkeley, ucla, uva, chapel-hill, michigan, illinois…then if u get say 3.8-3.9 gpa, u can then do your master or law school @harvard/cornell. btw, i think u have a very good shot @ucla. berkeley…somewhat close. good luck!