Chance me for CALS RD 2023?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

I usually would never do a chance me because I know no one really knows what goes on in admissions offices, but I’m so nervous for decisions to be out.

I’m a white female from a public magnet high school in Illinois (top 5 in Illinois and top 20 in the nation from one ranking website). Not too many people from my school apply to Cornell, so I don’t think there’s a lot of competition there (a large percentage go to UIUC). My school offers almost all the AP classes, but they’re really strict on taking a lot and don’t accept any outside or online credits. As a result, I haven’t taken an outstanding number of APs, but definitely more than a lot of my peers. I’m really passionate about genetics and biology, and I expressed in my applications that I want to go into medical research in the future. I applied for the genetics, genomics, and development concentration of the biological sciences major at CALS.

ACT - 33 (English: 36, Math: 33, Science: 33, Reading: 31, Writing: 9)
SAT - 1460 (I don’t think I submitted it, though)
Subject tests - didn’t submit
GPA: 4.0 uw/5.0 w (on a 6.0 scale)
AP classes: AP Human Geo (9th grade, 5), AP World (10th grade, 5), APUSH (11th grade, 5), AP Psych (11th grade, 4), AP Seminar (11th grade, 4).
Other than my AP classes, I took all honors besides American Sign Language and gym since regular was the only level offered.
Senior year course load: AP Biology, AP Language & Composition, AP Research, Honors Forensics/Biotechnology, dual enrollment Calculus I, online independent scientific research course, and a unique 3-period senior project class where I spent my day + after school interning at a research lab at a natural history museum

ECs:
Vice President and co-founder of a medical club (11th, 2th)
National Honor Society, executive board (11th, 12th)
Choir outside of school for 10 years, top performing ensemble for 4 years (unique experiences like traveling to Italy and Spain, performing for people like Katy Perry and Bill Clinton, and collaborating with Chance the Rapper, Bobby McFerrin, Yo-Yo Ma, Eddie Vedder, Pete Townshend, etc)
Internship at museum research lab working with lichens
Student Council Division Representative
Best Buddies
UNICEF
Abandoned Animals Club
Summer courses at universities with research experience
Writing internship the summer after my freshman year

Volunteering:
A lot in school with NHS
Library volunteer for 7 years
Nursing home volunteer for 3 years
300+ service hours

Essays:
Common App - 8/10 (I second-guess myself a lot but I think it’s good
CALS essay - 9/10 because I think I had a really good story for why I wanted to go into research and was really thorough and detailed

Recommendations:
Counselor - 10/10 She doesn’t know me but I told her what to write, so I think it’s good
Teacher 1 - 10/10 Told me it was the best one he’s ever written, I’ve had him for 3 years, and he loves me
Teacher 2 - 8/10 Not too strong of a relationship, but I was the only junior in his class full of sophomores and freshmen so I think he wrote about me being a leader

2

Hi! I luckily got my acceptance to Cornell a little early because of a diversity fly-in. I hope that I can help in some way because I also applied to CALS for the biology and society major. One thing I noticed is that you tied in your academics with your extracurriculars and essays which is great because it shows that you have solid interests. Also, it’s evident that you challenged yourself academically which is great :slight_smile: Although there is no formula to get into Cornell or any other top school, I would say that you have a good chance! By the way, I would say that stats are definitely not everything. Your test scores and course load are really impressive but I think the essays really help them to get to know you. I’m glad you’re confident in your essays and letters of rec because in my opinion they are what really distinguish you from the crowd (my stats are definitely not stellar but I think my background is what helped my application) If you have any questions Ill be happy to help :slight_smile: I wish you the best of luck!

3

Hi,

Your stats are solid, but definitely not a guarantee for Cornell University Admission.

My DD was recently offered a likely (not her top choice), and she had stats similar to yours, except they were a bit higher (SAT was 1580). I think we will see how this plays out in the coming weeks!!

Good luck,

4

@vbxgvxl I had no idea that CALS sent out diversity letters! I’ve been trying to look through other threads because at my school and on here, I’d only seen people get them for engineering or hotel. I applied to CALS as a bio major too. Any way you could chance me? I have a thread on my page

5

There’s no way that I can for sure tell you what your chances are, but I can tell you that your stats are overall higher than mine. Also, out of the schools that you applied to, the highest chance of admission is cornell just because its acceptance rate is higher than the others. Your stats are there for all the schools that you did apply to so I would say you’ll at the very least get into one unless your essays weren’t up to par (but Im sure they were). I don’t think that you should worry :slight_smile: