Chance me ED!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Currently a high school Junior
Intended Major(s): College of Arts and Sciences - Biological Sciences
ACT: Did not take
SAT: Old:1450/2220(CR:650 Math:800 Writing:770)(Single December) (Cornell doesn’t look at writing :frowning: ) hoping for New SAT1540+/Old 2260+ on October SAT (preferably with higher reading)

SAT 2: (Math 2:800, Physics:790)
Class rank: School doesn’t rank, prob top 15% (we’re one of the best high schools in MA)
UW(out of 4.0)/W(out of 5.0)GPA: 3.91/4.50 (Most rigorous) (3.96 Unweighted Freshman(Half regular Half honors), 3.90 unweighted Sophomore(four honors two AP), 3.86 unweighted Junior (3 honors 3 AP) (Downward trend (not good) but more challenging courses every year )
Coursework:8 Exams taken(All courses taken except for AP Chinese):AP Chinese(5), AP Music(5), AP Physics 1(4), AP Physics 2:(5), waiting for (AP Micro, Macro), (Calc BC), and (European History) in July.
Senior Year course load: AP Biology(gotta take), AP Psych, AP Stats, Honors for rest
Awards: St.Lawrence College Book Award, Massachusetts state Math Leagues competition semi-finalist, Presidential Community service awards(All 3 years so far), AP Scholar with Honor, NHS(if that counts, I don’t have big awards, trying to fit in every bit lol)

Extracurriculars:
-Community Service club(9,10,11,12):President (11,12)-Club helps to raise funds for homeless shelters. We raise more than 5k per year, local walk for hunger
-Volunteering: Senior center(20 hours/year) (9,10,11,12), Summer volunteering at local Hospital by selling Newspapers (80 hours/ year)(10.11) Program helping people with disabilities exercise(20 hours/year) (9,10,12)
-Table Tennis Club(10,11,12):(Founder, President):Typical club after school
-School MUN team(11,12):(Member)
-Math Team(9,10,11,12):(Member)
-NHS(11,12) (Member)
-JV/V Track(10,11,12) (Member)
-JV/V Swimming(9.10,12) (Member)
-Summer Internship for Biological stem cell research at the Massachusetts General Hospital(11,12)
-Summer Job at Dunkin Donuts’(Just Got hired!)

Essays/Teacher Recommendations:
Essays:Two Plans: First is to write about how I have met difficulties while getting accustomed to high school in the U.S. after spending 3 years of middle school in China. Second: about how the difficulties I have faced being a lower middle income asian in an affluent white community with parents who can help me little and who speak little english, emphasizing on how I have become more independent and mature in the last couple of years by taking on more responsibilities as a person.(Which sounds better? Suggestions?)
Teacher Recs:Hoping for Bio and History teacher to write me those! Bio teacher loves me as I participate often and History teacher has had me since freshman year and has seen me move from regular to honors and on to AP (he likes me but I don’t talk much in his class though)

Apply for Financial Aid?:Definitely Yes
Intended Major:Biological Sciences
State (if domestic applicant):MA
Country (if international applicant):The United States of America of course
School Type:One of the best public schools in the state
Ethnicity:Asian(Yikes)
Gender:Male(Double yikes:( )
Income Bracket: 65K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):Nothing much, dad was first to go to college but my mom didn’t go to college, 1.5th generation college? lol

Thanks, Everyone

2

I think to have a chance of getting in ED, you should improve the reading score of your SAT (am I correct in understanding that you’ve only taken it once?) Your subject test scores are strong, so that’s a positive.

Also, for the “why Cornell” essay, spend some time thinking about what Cornell offers that makes it a good fit for you-- and where you could see yourself contributing. Not sure if they still do it this, but in CAS, professors from each department also review applications along with the the admissions staff. It’s to your benefit to show that you are familiar with the specifics of your potential major.

3

@xanthippe Thanks. Yeah, first time. I also canceled January scores as I fell asleep during the test, but that’s not important. So for my supplement, would it be a good idea to cite the specific courses that I want to take and perhaps fun facts about them? I will try to refer to the CAS website for specific course info and visit this summer to see the campus and talk with admissions. As of now, I’m in love with this school based on its environment, location, and alumni I’ve met!