Chance me for A&S CS

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>Major: Computer Science under College of Arts and Sciences (side Q: should I do primary/alternative under CoE too? Does that increase my chances?)</p>

<p>Early Decision
Female, Asian (Chinese), Current HS Senior</p>

<p>SAT: CR 710 M 740 W 700 Total 2150
SAT IIs: not taken yet. Taking Math lvl2 and US History in Oct. Chinese with Speaking in Nov.
Unweighted GPA: 3.93
Weighted GPA: 4.64
SSL hours: likely to be 580 and a bit more by the time I turn in my app
Locale: Maryland</p>

<p>IB Diploma (on my way there... won't be finished until HS is all over. But very very likely to receive it regardless)
Took 2 AP classes along the way (AP NSL, AP Stat). 5s on both. Self studied AP Calc AB: 5.
Currently in IB Math HL (fancy for calc bc). 1 tech cred (our school doesn't have tech classes i want to take... nothing programming related). Soon to be 5 science creds.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Chinese School Summer Camp TA for a month
Grass root politics involvement (GetmoneyoutMD)
Created/administrates one video game news site and writes for another bigger one
YBB program- traveled to rural mountain poverty stricken area to teach various subjects like English and tech for 2 weeks (involved in Technology lesson planning group and editor of documentary group)
Asian American Club all four years (from member to dance director to vice president)
NHS 1 year so far
Pit Orchestra Soph and Jr years.
Allied Bocce Team Sophmore year (counts as varsity)
Piano Intermediate Level</p>

<p>Let's say... My essay is at 7/10 or maybe 8/10 right now. Though that might get better as I'm still fixing them.</p>

<p>What are my chances? I realize that the things I do don't really articulate the fact that I'm into CS but I actually have interest. Self-taught a bit of html and c++ so far. Planning on self studying for AP cs this year too...</p>

2

<p>Bump… Anyone?</p>

3

<p>Applying for a primary/alternate choice doesn’t improve your chances as only about 1% of applications rejected from primary choice colleges get forwarded to the alternate choice. Also, if you were to apply to engineering, you would have to have one math and one science subject test. You are a competitive applicant for most schools, but Cornell is obviously a reach for anybody. You said you are applying ED which I encourage you to do if Cornell is your top choice. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Another CU freshman I know told me that prim/alt DOES increase your chances for general admission? Not saying that it’s easy to get into alternative but just doing it seems to show admissions that you really care or something.</p>

5

<p>I would dare to say in certain cases it shows that you do not care. If your primary/alternate choices are very different from each other, it could go to show that you don’t care about the college and mostly just want to go to the university. That may say to them that you aren’t a good fit for the particular college because you aren’t passionate about it.</p>